In late August, while training for a vigorous kayak race in central Maine, I had a heart attack. I am more than grateful to modern medicine, as exemplified both by Eastern Maine Medical Center and Dartmouth-Hitchcock hospitals, that less than two months later I am back on the water, going as hard as before.
The combined bill for my care, however, is just south of $100,000. Thank heavens (and LBJ) for Medicare, which, like Bernie Sanders, I wish were extended to the populace at large, the way it is in virtually every developed nation but ours. What? exclaim the conservatives. Socialized medicine? Well, France, for instance, spends a little less than half of what we do annually per patient, yet that country’s general health and life expectancy are superior to ours by every measure. Will someone please write in to explain why that should not be end of story?
Sydney Lea Newbury, Vt.
Ill-Mannered Trump
Little children have to be taught basic rules of behavior in society. We teach our children to share, to apologize, to take turns. Sometimes we really need to spell out exactly what not to do. “Fish don’t like to be in the teapot.” “People don’t wear underwear on their heads in church.” “Toy kangaroos are not weapons.” These statements fall under the category of I-can’t-believe-I-just-had-to-say-that.
The events of the past few weeks seem to indicate that Donald Trump is missing not only an understanding of basic manners (don’t interrupt; be a good sport); he does things that are so weird in a presidential campaign that we didn’t even think we needed rules about them. “Don’t encourage millions of people to check out an alleged sex tape of the former Miss Universe.” Do we really need a rule for that? Doesn’t that go without saying? The fact that Donald Trump doesn’t know not to do this makes me wonder what other niceties he has not picked up over the years.
Part of the job of a president is to handle international relations. This means negotiating treaties and meeting with heads of state from other nations. We need someone in this position who can be trusted to have good manners, remain calm and not endanger our interests by causing unnecessary personal offense. With Trump, all bets are off; his unpredictability and lack of judgment disqualify him to represent our nation to the rest of the world.
Abigail Fleming Bradford, Vt.
Clinton’s Views on Abortion
Hillary Clinton wants her voters to know that she loves children, and in an special appeal to religious voters, she wants them to know that she wants each child to be “able to reach their God-given potential.” But I wonder if she wants these same voters to know that in over 30 years of life in the public eye she has yet to articulate a single exception to abortion, including but not limited to abortions related to gender, eye color, convenience, etc. I wonder when Clinton thinks these “God-given rights” begin?
Jim Newcomb North Haverhill
Be Wary of the Change You Seek
The impression from Trump supporters is that a basic attraction of his election is that it would produce “change.” I find it difficult to disagree with the notion that Trump represents change. But, I suggest, before accepting change from Donald Trump, thought be given to the nature of the change he will provide.
One might look at what Trump says he will do for the United States, and ask, has he done such things for working people under his control? And is he making promises to us when he speaks of what he will do? Can we be sure — or is he is too enigmatic a person to know what is really behind what comes out when he speaks? And, more importantly, as a clue to the nature of the change he will produce, take a look at other heads of state to see whom he has given the greatest praise. That, of course, is Vladimir Putin. Ask yourself: Would Vladimir Putin provide the kind of country you’re looking forward to?
Louis A. Kislik West Lebanon
Supporting Christensen
It is an honor and a pleasure to heartily endorse Annmarie Christensen for the Vermont House of Representatives from Cavendish and Weathersfield. Christensen has been a leader in the community for many years. She has worked as a reporter and editor for several Vermont newspapers. She served as the director of publications for the Global Health Council.
These experiences provide an assurance that she has the capability to listen to all sides on legislative concerns. When disagreements arise in Montpelier, she will be able to separate the wheat from the chaff. She recognizes that Act 46, which deals with education funding and governance, has some serious issues at the local level and will address them in the upcoming session. She is also concerned with topics involving affordable health care, the opioid crisis, minimum wage and paid sick leave. Christensen will provide her constituents a voice that is energetic, informed and fiscally conservative.
Ernest Shand Weathersfield
Since my recent shocking revelation in the Forum of Mr. Trump’s deplorable failure to take all the income tax deductions to which he was rightfully entitled, I have received an avalanche of criticism, demands for retraction, and imprecations against my allegedly reliable source for my story. In response, I can only assert that I will honor my pledge to keep my sources confidential.
Although they all wish to remain anonymous, I think it is safe to confirm that the one who revealed the storage location and disposal of the missing records was a housekeeping woman. Expertise regarding the business nature of the shoebox contents was supplied by a recent graduate of a famous New York real estate university. And, finally, the tax implications were verified by a former apprentice at the illustrious accounting firm Diddiwe, Cheatham and Whinaught. All three have impeccable reputations, significant Twitter followings and not a single bankruptcy among them. To be honest, I must admit that I cannot assert eyewitness certainty of my story. I can only report what I hear all these people saying. Very suspicious.
But if my sources are not correct, wouldn’t it then be best for all of us if the candidate just put all this ugly speculation to rest by releasing his long-form tax return? Just think how that would deflate the pompous, fact-obsessed New York Times!
Harold Frost Etna
On the Move for CHaD
As a CHaD mom, I appreciated reading “CHaD Runner Fights Child Abuse” on Oct. 6, because it brings to light one of the numerous programs that the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth provides for kids and families. These services, which rely on philanthropy, are vital to the health and well-being of our community.
As a parent, you hope that you’ll never need critical services from CHaD. But when your child is sick and you do need CHaD, you’re relieved to have this outstanding facility in your backyard. My family will be running, walking, biking and hiking on Sunday for all CHaD kids. I hope you’ll join us!
Amy Keeler Lebanon