Health overhaul's toll will show up later
Nancy Pelosi said, "We need to pass the law so we can find out what's in it." OK. Some good things are: pre-existing conditions and children until 26 covered.
Democrats are mum about impending taxes, banking on a second term. After Nov., 21 new taxes begin; billions are pilfered from Medicare. Everyone will be required to buy insurance - a hardship especially for the unemployed and those below poverty level - not to mention seniors having to pay more for Medicare with less coverage.
Anyone without insurance must buy it or get taxed by the IRS. IRS must hire thousands of new auditors to collect the new tax. More government employees equals more government and even more taxes.
They have forced a law on "We the People," giving us good things now, then after re-election taking us to the woodshed. Has health cost gone down?
Donald Fry
Retired military and technology, Tucson
Seniors know experience is an invaluable teacher
We seniors are smarter than the average bears. The economy affects us as much or more than anyone else. Many of us would like to have jobs too. We need growth for our savings and retirement investments. The more people working, primarily in the private sector, the more revenue will flow to the government, including Social Security and Medicare. But Obamacare will hurt us more than most.
Young people think we old folks don't know much. I guess we thought that way too, until we grew up and realized how right the old folks were. Education only goes so far. Experience is the greater teacher. We also don't like it when we are lied to.
No person or political party has all the answers. Experience tells me, however, a change in philosophy is needed. Can people change? I guess it's possible, but not likely. So if people won't change, we need to change the people.
I.M. Feiles
Retired, Tucson
Where would Melvin put nuclear waste?
On Jan. 13, the Arizona Daily Star carried a front-page story headlined "Melvin: Let AZ take US nuclear waste." Then state Sen. Al Melvin sponsored a memorial to Congress saying the Arizona Legislature wants the federal government to consider establishing a site in Arizona to store spent nuclear fuel. And the majority of the Arizona Legislature agreed.
Now that Melvin is running for re-election, I'm wondering where he wants to situate that nuclear waste repository here in Arizona. And what about transportation routes? Would he recommend rail transport or by truck? What route? Interstate 10?
Wouldn't a repository for high-level radioactive waste increasingly pollute and contaminate our environment?
I don't know about the rest of you, but I say "no thanks."
Judy Kany
Former chair of Maine's Advisory Commission on Radioactive Waste, SaddleBrooke
Arizona's resources can help its people
Re: the Sept. 27 guest commentary "We must not trade away our birthright: the pristine Santa Rita Mtns."
God does not intend that Arizonans should live in poverty.
Those men and women who have been unemployed for so long that they have lost all hope are not concerned about pristine landscapes. Their primary focus is feeding their family and paying their mortgage, that is if the bank has not already repossessed their home.
Arizona is richly endowed with mineral resources to be used for everyone's benefit. We have skilled labor at our fingertips and copper under our feet.
Rosemont is committed to the design of a 21st-century copper mine operation with advanced environmental controls. This mine will employ more than 400 directly involved in the extraction and processing of ore, and more than 1,500 in related jobs.
Yes, a few miles of scenic Arizona 83 will be disturbed, but Mount Wrightson will always be the crown jewel of the Santa Ritas.
Ron Stirling
Retired, Tucson
Self-assessment by PCC dubious
Re: the Oct. 2 article "PCC legal costs skyrocket."
Great research and story by Carol Ann Alaimo. The sidebar in this article on PCC legal expenses has prompted PCC to conduct "comprehensive reviews" of all its outside contracts.
If the research for this article is any indication, PCC would be better served to simply open its books and vendor contracts to the Star. This will result in a more transparent, more objective and less costly review than anything PCC appears capable of producing.
And lest I forget, shame on the firm of DeConcini McDonald Yetwin & Lacy.
Alan Kohl
Tucson
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