An inspiration
Thank you for the gift of Terri Kirby Erickson's wonderful guest column, "Poetry: For everyday use, not collecting dust." I, too, grew up with Robert Frost's poetry as well as other greats.
Erickson is such an inspiration to me. I keep copies of both "Telling Tales of Dusk" and "In the Palms of Angels" on my bedside table. No matter my mood, her incredible use of words helps me settle down for a pleasant night's sleep.
KATHRYN M. FISHER
Kernersville
Heath-care cost containment
The Journal recently ran three separate articles that, when placed in context, indicate why we continue to fail miserably at health-care cost containment.
The first reported that the FDA has concluded that $60,000-per-year Avastin is of no use for breast-cancer patients ("Avastin rejected for breast cancer use," Nov. 19); the second, that using the PSA blood test to screen for prostate cancer generates a lot of downstream costs to follow up positive tests, all to no mortality benefit, hence the recommendation to discontinue use of this test ("Prostate test backed at 2 local centers," Nov. 19).
The third article was regarding the successful efforts of Senate Republicans in blocking the approval of Dr. Donald Berwick as the official in charge of Medicare and Medicaid, despite his proven record of experience in working within health-care systems to improve efficiencies, improve outcomes and lower costs ("Medicare chief takes a parting shot at waste," Dec. 4).
As decreasing the use of expensive drugs, decreasing the frequency of specialized testing and specialty referrals, along with the prospect of having a physician in charge of Medicare who may actually succeed at engendering some rationality with the use of Medicare dollars is inimical to the pharmaceutical, medical-device and surgical-subspecialty lobbies, it would stand to reason that the lapdogs of these lobbies in the Republican Party will ensure that Medicare continues to pay for Avastin, that PSA testing be encouraged and that they cheer the departure of Dr. Berwick.
DR. JAMES McGRATH
Yadkinville
All of us
I agree absolutely with the letter by the Dec. 4 Correspondent of the Week ("That debt") that our national debt is a monumental problem and we will all have to sacrifice to get out of it. No, taxing the top 1 percent and millionaires alone will not solve the problem, but neither will taxing just the middle class and the poor. We all need to sacrifice.
So why are the Republicans fighting so hard to protect the richest people in our society? Why aren't they being called on to sacrifice? Something about that situation stinks.
I don't buy the line that they are "job creators" and therefore should be exempt — that is just not true. These people have had a smooth ride for the last 10 years and they've not created any jobs; they've just moved them overseas and increased their profits.
The letter-writer says we can't make the military the scapegoat, and I agree — but we have the strongest military in the world by far, and everything the military does is not necessary. Trimming it a bit will not sacrifice our national security.
The letter-writer says the American people "don't get it." But we do. We just refuse to be steamrollered again and again and again to solve problems that we didn't create by sacrificing what little we have left.
JAMES T. FULLER
Winston-Salem
A wonderful question
As I read the Nov. 27 "Sum It Up" question, "Should the government be heavily involved in helping the needy?" I thought what a wonderful question to pose at this special time of the year when we are approaching the celebration of the birth of the greatest gift and the greatest giver.
I was sure that I would be reading many positive responses stating, "Yes, a government 'of the people, by the people and for the people' should help its people in their time of need." I expected to see, "Of course, 'in order to ... promote the general welfare' of its citizens, the government should help them when they are in need." I even imagined that I would read, "When unemployment was rather low, the government was able to have a surplus because of the revenue withheld from the wages of its citizens; therefore, the government should help them while they go through their period of need."
Then I thought I should have responded to the question because I don't mind my tax dollars being used to help my fellow Americans. For you see, but by the grace of God, I would be in the number of those who need help.
SYLVIA WOODRUFF
Winston-Salem
Thank you for the gift of Terri Kirby Erickson's wonderful guest column, "Poetry: For everyday use, not collecting dust." I, too, grew up with Robert Frost's poetry as well as other greats.
Erickson is such an inspiration to me. I keep copies of both "Telling Tales of Dusk" and "In the Palms of Angels" on my bedside table. No matter my mood, her incredible use of words helps me settle down for a pleasant night's sleep.
KATHRYN M. FISHER
Kernersville
Heath-care cost containment
The Journal recently ran three separate articles that, when placed in context, indicate why we continue to fail miserably at health-care cost containment.
The first reported that the FDA has concluded that $60,000-per-year Avastin is of no use for breast-cancer patients ("Avastin rejected for breast cancer use," Nov. 19); the second, that using the PSA blood test to screen for prostate cancer generates a lot of downstream costs to follow up positive tests, all to no mortality benefit, hence the recommendation to discontinue use of this test ("Prostate test backed at 2 local centers," Nov. 19).
The third article was regarding the successful efforts of Senate Republicans in blocking the approval of Dr. Donald Berwick as the official in charge of Medicare and Medicaid, despite his proven record of experience in working within health-care systems to improve efficiencies, improve outcomes and lower costs ("Medicare chief takes a parting shot at waste," Dec. 4).
As decreasing the use of expensive drugs, decreasing the frequency of specialized testing and specialty referrals, along with the prospect of having a physician in charge of Medicare who may actually succeed at engendering some rationality with the use of Medicare dollars is inimical to the pharmaceutical, medical-device and surgical-subspecialty lobbies, it would stand to reason that the lapdogs of these lobbies in the Republican Party will ensure that Medicare continues to pay for Avastin, that PSA testing be encouraged and that they cheer the departure of Dr. Berwick.
DR. JAMES McGRATH
Yadkinville
All of us
I agree absolutely with the letter by the Dec. 4 Correspondent of the Week ("That debt") that our national debt is a monumental problem and we will all have to sacrifice to get out of it. No, taxing the top 1 percent and millionaires alone will not solve the problem, but neither will taxing just the middle class and the poor. We all need to sacrifice.
So why are the Republicans fighting so hard to protect the richest people in our society? Why aren't they being called on to sacrifice? Something about that situation stinks.
I don't buy the line that they are "job creators" and therefore should be exempt — that is just not true. These people have had a smooth ride for the last 10 years and they've not created any jobs; they've just moved them overseas and increased their profits.
The letter-writer says we can't make the military the scapegoat, and I agree — but we have the strongest military in the world by far, and everything the military does is not necessary. Trimming it a bit will not sacrifice our national security.
The letter-writer says the American people "don't get it." But we do. We just refuse to be steamrollered again and again and again to solve problems that we didn't create by sacrificing what little we have left.
JAMES T. FULLER
Winston-Salem
A wonderful question
As I read the Nov. 27 "Sum It Up" question, "Should the government be heavily involved in helping the needy?" I thought what a wonderful question to pose at this special time of the year when we are approaching the celebration of the birth of the greatest gift and the greatest giver.
I was sure that I would be reading many positive responses stating, "Yes, a government 'of the people, by the people and for the people' should help its people in their time of need." I expected to see, "Of course, 'in order to ... promote the general welfare' of its citizens, the government should help them when they are in need." I even imagined that I would read, "When unemployment was rather low, the government was able to have a surplus because of the revenue withheld from the wages of its citizens; therefore, the government should help them while they go through their period of need."
Then I thought I should have responded to the question because I don't mind my tax dollars being used to help my fellow Americans. For you see, but by the grace of God, I would be in the number of those who need help.
SYLVIA WOODRUFF
Winston-Salem
This is Pearl Harbor Day.
ReplyDeleteAlso First State Day.
ReplyDeleteDr. McGrath:
ReplyDeleteYou left out one little tid bit about why Republicans stopped Dr. Berwick's appointment. He's a socialized medicine advocate.
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Berwick's critics have cited his statements about the need for health care to redistribute resources from the rich to the poor, and his favorable statements about the British health care system. They quote Berwick as saying, “The decision is not whether or not we will ration care - the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open.”
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And I'll bet you voted for Obama too. And who says doctors always make the right 'decisions'?
Nielsen studies have found that women are much more sexually degrading than men on realty TV shows. They use terms such as: rodent, skank, trash bag, trick, ho and much worse
ReplyDeleteNo surprise to me on that one. I don't watch those type of shows. I've got my hands full keeping up with Obama's many screw-ups.
Healthcare cost containment. I can't speak to Avistin's cost/benefit, but I can speak to PSA checks. This check worked for me and allowed me to catch the cancer early which prevented even higher costs downstream. If I make it to March cancer free, it will be 3 years. As far as Dr Berwick--good riddance. You mention lobbys that might be offended but left out the most powerful...AARP. Politicians are the ultimate deciders of these matters. Tort reform will go a long way to help cost control.
ReplyDeleteAll of us. Your "solutions" sound very European--more taxation, more regulation and more entitlements for all and only those rich will pay for it. Right. The universe of rich is too small and the amount of money raised is too insignificant vs our debt to matter. Any money raised will only be gotten one time as those targeted will adjust and pay even less the next year. What money raised will only be spent by Congress as always while Congress will continue to borrow more money right up to the latest debt ceiling and spend all that too. Your fiction is right with your empty suit president who is making a fool of himself trying to figure out which past American President he is. The reason he does this is because he has no record to run on because basically, there is no Barack Obama.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful question. This is the time of the birth of the Greatest Gift and the Greatest Giver--true. Why mess it up with the mention of government in the next sentence? Government acting as giver of charity in our names? Or in His name? Government takes a mighty cut of those dollars before it finds its way to the needy. You would be better served to do the giving directly yourself and try to cut out the middle man.
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon folks!
ReplyDeleteLTE 1: It was a very nice column. I was never into poetry that much. I do recall having to memorize a Frost poem seemingly every year I was in school which may have had something to do with my lack of appreciation for poetry.
LTE 2: Interesting observations from Dr. McGrath. I recently read that $300M - $500M a year in med costs could easily be saved by eliminating waste. There are a lot of cya tests done to lessen the probability of a lawsuit. You can never tell, however, when one of those tests will reveal a life threatening situation. Of course, there's always the cost vs benefit for those drugs that simply extend life for a month or two in a terminal situation.
LTE 3: The bottom line is the economy isn't strong enough to enact measures that would make a serious dent in the debt. Too many people are either unemployed or underemployed. Until the jobs situation is rectified and the tax base expanded, serious debt reduction is out of the question.
LTE 4: Bless you Ms. Woodruff for your generous spirit. I spent years working my way though several degrees at a restaurant for barely above miniumum wage, so I feel truly grateful to be in a position to not only pay tax, but also to be where I can pay a large tax bill. It beats the heck out of living paycheck to paycheck. So, to all you misers: be grateful for all you have instead of griping about those who have nothing!
dotnet...another question- do you have a battery operated mouse that you use with your laptop? I got one-mouse- and have evidently broke it. Have you ever seen that happen?
ReplyDeletedotnet....thanks for the fact filled retort yesterday.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that you're getting paid 25% more to do 25% less.
Hey ww - I have a battery operated wireless mouse but haven't had any problems with it. I use an optical mouse at work, and have had no issues with it either. If you go into Settings/Control Panel, there will be an icon for Mouse. It brings up a dialog box. The last tab in the box is for hardware where you can run a troubleshoot on your mouse. Fortunately, a new mouse isn't all that expensive.
ReplyDeletedotnet....what I did was use the mouse ok for a while, take out the flat tab from the port and store it away. Then I went to replace the flat tab in the port to use the mouse. Well, I don't see as well and my hand tends to the heavy side and I pushed too hard on the flat tab beyond where it should stop to flush with the side of the laptop. I had to pry it out with a pear knife and in doing, I must have broken something that keeps the tab in the right spot. Well, the tab is now very loose and makes no contact so I am mouseless. Can the laptop be repaired to accept the flat tab by a repair tech or am I doomed to use the sliding finger tip? Sorry ? is so long. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteooh- sounds like you fubarred the port. I've done the same thing yanking the cord out of my laptop. You will have to get the port replaced. Once replaced, it will be good as new, but you may have to get a new mouse if you damaged the end of it.
ReplyDeletedotnet...thanks! There is hope for me then.
ReplyDeleteIn eight states that will be must-wins in 2012 –Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina and Pennsylvania – Democrats lost 5.4 percent of their registered voters while Republicans lost 3.1 percent. The number of independent voters in those states jumped 3.4 percent
ReplyDelete____________
Good news....people are jumping off of Obama's sinking Democratic ship. I guess there is hope for America.
Bev. can start packing her bags too.
The small fluctuations in voter registration mentioned above are statistically meaningless. For instance, in North Carolina, as of December 3, 44.0% of registered voters are Democrats, 31.4% are Republicans and 24.4% are independent. In Florida, the numbers are 41% Democratic, 36% Republican and 20% independent.
ReplyDeleteThe number of independent voters is rising everywhere...nationally they are now second in number, slightly behind the Democrats and well ahead of the Republicans. In Ohio, 78.5% of registered voters are now independents...the two major parties have barely 20%.
As anyone who actually studies politics rather than just copying and pasting statistics from the internet knows, voter registration statistics have little to do with winning and losing elections.
What matters is which candidates get their voters to turn out. In 2000 and 2004 Bush voters turned out, so Bush won Florida (well, at least in 2004, 2000 was BS)and NC, despite a GOP deficit in registered voters. In 2008, Obama voters turned out and Obama won both states.
In 2012, more than usually, the party that turns out the most voters will have the edge. At the moment in NC, the Democrats have a long head start in beating the drums. The Republicans will have to hustle to catch up. But first they have to find a viable presidential candidate. So far, that has not happened.
Most people that try to foolishly pass themselves off as some type of expert or intellect on politics, usually end up with egg on their faces. Rush will no doubt realize the same fate. But I'm sure that everybody knows he has probably been in the same, nitwitted, position in his life many times-particularly given the low level of synapses that are obviously occuring in his tiny, Democratic brain. So, he'll get over it. The sad thing is that he'll probably vote for Obama AGAIN.
ReplyDeleteWhat a moron!
‘On What?’--McCain Says He Didn’t Know Defense Bill He Approved Repealed Military Ban on Sodomy, Bestiality
ReplyDeletehttp://cnsnews.com/news/article/what-mccain-says-he-didn-t-know-defense-bill-he-approved-repealed-military-ban-sodomy
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Looks like a lot of badends will be getting pounded in the coming months in the military.
Based on the repeal, I guess gay service members can just drop down on the shower room floors and go at it.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous.
@Bucky's 2137hrs: "Most people that try to foolishly pass themselves off as some type of expert or intellect on politics, usually end up with egg on their faces."
ReplyDeleteDo you NOT see yourself in this statement?!?!?
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ReplyDelete