Opinion response
This is in response to the “My Opinion Commentary” in the Jan. 8 edition, entitled “The Medimafia.” The only statement, in the writer’s article I agree with is the first one. The balance, in my mind, simply shows a lack of understanding or shallowness. While I could offer a paragraph by paragraph rebuttal to the writer’s thoughts, I will only focus on a few.
First, the writer makes broad statements with regard to being “victimized by insurance companies” and that “Americans have known it for years.” She does not cite any basis or facts to support this conclusion. She then states that “we have been hearing of people whose insurance has not covered,” etc. Again, no facts to support the statement. The writer also addresses increases in insurance premiums that are far in excess of inflation. What they fail to understand is inflation is not the only thing that affects rates — think forest fires, floods, windstorms or the fires last week in the Los Angeles area.
I will admit that sometimes mistakes are made and wrong decisions might occur. But to blame executives, and insurance companies in general, or lawyers, healthcare workers, etc., is simply wrong and without foundation.
For the most part, insurance companies are publicly owned, which means they have stockholders — people just like the writer and other everyday folks. These owners expect a profit and/or a fair return on their investment. In fact, they demand it in most cases. Who are these folks, you might ask? They are people just like you and me. They own stock directly, through 401k plans, retirement funds, pension plans and more. So please, understand what you are talking about before you condemn and/or criticize.
One last point: More laws are not necessarily the answer, either. While it may be a good idea to visit with your lawmakers, don’t expect them to solve all your problems. The writer, per comments in the article, seems to believe that politicians are corrupt as well and owned by the people and organizations who contribute to their campaigns. Yes, some are probably corrupt, but most are not.
Chet Petersen
The Dalles
Attend meeting
The Farmers Irrigation board meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 15. They will have new updates and ideas to share with customers who have been voicing their opinions and ideas. Always good to attend to keep updated on a current basis. Thanks again for all your ideas and comments; it will make a difference.
Tina Dye
Hood River
Celebrate MLK Day
Friends and neighbors, as many of us brace ourselves for the incoming administration on Jan. 20, there are certain to be a myriad of swirling emotions in our community: Fear, anxiety, trepidation, anger, worry, outrage — the list goes on and on.
While we must listen and tend to our emotions, we must not allow ourselves to become paralyzed by fear or succumb to despair. The opposite of despair is hope, and I know that hope is best found by reconnecting with one another: Our beloved community.
On Monday, Jan. 20, if you are needing to counter your own feelings of fear and despair, I invite you to come and join us as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Riverside Community Church, 317 State St., Hood River. Our theme this year is “Strength in Community: Fed & Nourished By One Another, For One Another,” inspired by Dr. King’s belief in the “inescapable network of mutuality” that we exist in together.
The day’s events will begin at 3 p.m. with a workshop led by Riverside’s pastor, Vicky Stifter, entitled, “Grounding and Preparing for Troubled Times: A Workshop for Seekers of Justice.” At 3:15 p.m., those who want to lift their voice in song are invited to join the Community Gospel Choir, led by the remarkable Portland musician Cynta Butts and accompanied by local pianist Tim Mayer.
At 5 p.m., we will gather in the sanctuary for a service celebrating the legacy and ongoing work of Dr. King, with Spanish interpretation.
Following the service, we will gather for a community meal of cornbread and jambalaya, feeding our bodies and spirits for the important work that is to come.
Friends and neighbors, let us not lose heart in these ever-increasingly troubled times. We all have something to give to one another, and we all have something we need from each other. Let us gather to remind ourselves of this, and recommit ourselves to living out the "Beloved Community" — the dream the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and so many other justice seekers throughout history.
Rev. Miranda Bermes
Hood River
Support nurses
Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital nurses have been without a contract for 15 months and are now on strike in their quest for, among other things, economic parity (compared with other health systems) and safe staffing for the care of patients. There are several indisputable facts:
Hood River is the seventh most expensive town (in its population category) in the U.S. (Lendingtree.com).
The nurses at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital are professionals who are very competent, responsible, intelligent, diligent, compassionate advocates for their patients’ needs, and they are dedicated to their core.
Providence Health System has five core values which its caregivers and administrators are encouraged to embrace. These are compassion, dignity, justice, excellence, and integrity.
The Providence hospital system in the Northwest was founded 169 years ago by dedicated women committed to justice for those they serve. It is incumbent on those to whom the torch has been passed to honor the vision and sacrifice of the Providence legacy by acting with justice towards their extremely valuable resource: The dedicated nurses at the bedside.
Rebecca Rawson
Hood River
War vs Denmark?
So now Republican party leaders such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, and president-elect Trump have updated what they mean by Make America Great Again: Threatening war against Denmark, a NATO ally, in order to steal Greenland because we "need" it.
For 80 years, since the end of World War II, the United States has been the bulwark of a stable world order. Now the GOP and Fox News Channel are trying to make the case that “great nations” are great because they expand their territory, just like Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is attempting to do by invading Ukraine.
My Republican friends, is this what you want your party to stand for?
Rick George
White Salmon
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