Letters to the Editor
Editor:
The Republican Party used to stand for personal responsibility, moral values, family, God and country. Sadly, those values have been eviscerated and replaced with greed and win at all costs. “Why should I vote for more failed democratic policies?” you ask.
Democrats passed the Price Gouging Prevention Act in the House, tried to pass the Big Oil Windfall Profit Act and anti monopoly laws to stop big corporations from inflating their prices: Republicans blocked them all.
Republicans oppose public programs like FEMA except when they need help and just imagine what it would be like if Republicans took over. They would cut Social Security, Medicare, unemployment benefits and the Affordable Care Act.
“But we want to be safe,” you say. Democrats support the police, law and order and the borders are not “wide open.” Over 2 million migrants were arrested these last two years.
So I say to my Republican friends: Don’t fall for the rhetoric. Republican leadership is following Trump’s playbook and keeps pushing wedge issues between us and its propaganda machine spearheaded by Fox News, which is not news but biased commentaries. It is extremely damaging to this country. It normalizes abhorrent behavior, promotes extremist, restrictive laws and excuses the insurrection that struck at the very heart of our democracy.
Ask yourself: “Do I like the direction my party has taken?” Because as far as I am concerned Trump may clown around and wrap himself with the American flag, but I see the dictator behind the mask.
Christine Harris Mutual 2 Editor:
I am becoming more and more concerned (even outraged at times) about some of the “paid for” ads and flyers being circulated in our community. This is especially true about those filled with what I consider flagrant misinformation.
At 95 years of age, I can remember the time when the notorious Joseph “Joe” Mc-Carthy was alleging that numerous communists, spies and sympathizers had infiltrated the United States. I worry that we may be living in a new, even more dangerous “McCarthyism” era.
The term “McCarthyism” eventually became used more broadly to mean demagogic, reckless and unsubstantiated accusations. This also included public attacks on the character or patriotism of political opponents.
The encyclopedia Wikipedia defines the word “demagogic” as “a political leader in a democracy who gains popularity by arousing the common people against elites, especially through oratory that whips up the passions of crowds, appealing to emotion by scapegoating out-groups, exaggerating dangers to stoke fears, lying for emotional effect, or other rhetoric that tends to drown out reasoned deliberation and encourage fanatical popularity.”
The encyclopedia continues in a footnote to define demagogues in power as “establishing one-man rule, subverting the rule of law, appointing unqualified lackeys to high office [and] corruption.”
Despite my concerns, I will be thankful when this current election is over. Maybe then all of us can—at least temporarily— rejoice that we are yet alive and that we are fortunate enough to be able to live in Leisure World.
Mary Larson Mutual 5 Editor:
Some people know this and some don’t, but we all need to be reminded. Don’t vote for the Democratic Party or the Republican Party; vote for the person you think will do the best job. This country needs help. Think about who can fix it.
Tony Laspada Mutual 6 Editor:
I was surprised reading a story that heralded the annual Medicare open enrollment “extravaganza” (Oct. 13) and resultant feeding frenzy. Two front page “stories” promoted the wonderful “Medicare” Advantage plans, and helpful “Medicare counselors” (also known as sales agents) whose job is to “sell” us, just as LW Weekly’s job is to “serve” us shareholders. I also counted two-anda- half pages of pricey color ads, all extolling the virtues of Advantage which, incidentally, is not, not, not (real)Medicare but inferior private insurance masquerading as such to confuse you. The recent government OIG report (as the previous report of 2007) cited millions of examples where Advantage refused to pay for, or approve of, procedures that (real) Medicare mandates. (Real) Medicare always pays ( https://oig.hhs.gov/ newsroom/ videos/ medicareadvantage- denials-of-care/).
Why do I feel I’m on the menu? Imagine calling your insurance company for hours while suffering chemotherapy or dialysis? Advantage plans can quietly switch you away from (Real) Medicare but it’s usually too late when you realize it. Advantage was designed to imitate (Real) Medicare, suck it dry and kill it… and it’s working! In fairness, the Weekly does have a disclaimer in mouse type and, after locating it and squinting a lot, I was able to read it.
Advertising revenue is essential to balance Weekly’s budget, but it cannot supplant its commitment to shareholders. Will you, at the very least, print sufficient front page information to make rational decisions about such a lifelong commitment?
You can’t serve two masters, please choose.
Ray Olsowka Mutual 2
Editor:
I am so grateful for recovering from COVID. We are so blessed to have our Health Care Center with Dr. Nancy Smith and the 24 hour nurses.They were all so kind, comforting, patient and helpful each time I called. Thank you all so much. My sincere thank you to all my friends that prayed for me, called to help me and sent cards for encouragement during my recovery. My sincere thank you to all of you. Love and blessings.
Juanita Townsend Mutual 10
