Letters to the Editor
TinyBubbles
Published Letters: 102 Editor's Choice: 15
-
ER is so right
[Read the article: The diet that's too good to be true]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]My husband has been a type 1 diabetic since he was 8 (about 35 years), he lost the front of his left foot and his right leg below the knee to diabetes complicated by a heart problem (the heart problem was unrelated to the diabetes, but no one detected it as everyone was just focused on the diabetes, stereotyping [if you are a diabetic with a problem, it must be related to the diabetes] in doctors' thinking can lead to this.)
But, I write because ER is so right. This is a huge industry, the treatment of diabetes. It is expensive, the test strips are hugely costly, and this makes it difficult to for many to test as often as necessary. Big Pharma, I believe, has no interest in curing this disease, not when they can make huge money on erection pills.
I am afraid there may be only one solution to the lack of good diabetes care in this country: single payer health care. Imagine if as a diabetic, or anyone with a chronic disease, can get the medications and supplies needed to keep themselves healthy? At one point, we were uninsured, and that was when he got into real trouble with his health, as test strips and doctor's visits were too costly (we lost our health insurance when he became unemployed.)
Of course, single payer health care will not stop teenage girls from messing with their insulin to manipulate their weight, but maybe if fewer people had to fight their insurance companies for insulin pumps and testing supplies were reasonably priced, it seems like it would be more difficult for these ladies to play with their lives. At least, one would hope, they would get better care because they would have access to it.
Oh, and don't listen to the creeps who say a single payer system will lead to long Emergency Room waits and long waits for doctor visits. How much worse could it be? Longest wait for a doctor's appointment: 5 months, the surgeon, 3 months. Longest wait in the emergency room before admittance: 12 hours. And we paid premium prices for these deluxe wait times.
-
Facinating
[Read the article: The case against homeownership]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This way, for everyone who can't afford to buy a house (a growing number, especially in the Northeast where housing prices are still outrageous even after YEARS of declining home prices) can be kept by corporations running after every little scrap and crumb they decide to throw us, or which happens to fall from their great big mouths.
Well, I have had to realize that home ownership will not be in the cards for me (especially after my husband's serious health problems have put us into serious debt, and we're insured!) but it is fascinating to me how the powers that be can change on a dime when it suits them. A few years ago, when housing prices were on fire, and people were flipping houses trying to turn a home into a bundle of money, we were told be better get one of those sub-prime adjustable rate mortgages with no money down so we can get into a house and start building wealth. We sure needed to do that, when they needed someone to buy their houses, that was the line. Remember the "ownership society" and even Salon ran an article about how you should buy a house even if you can't afford it because the worst that can happen is "the bank will take the house back."
Now that housing prices are so ridiculously high only the well off can afford them, we are told, not to worry, it is better for us to be at the mercy of employers and landlords.
Come on people can we stop looking at real estate as an investment and look at it as it should be looked at, as piece of the earth we are responsible for (do not own, how can you own your mother - earth?) to nurture and enjoy as it nurtures and enjoys us until we pass.
Sorry, I was just dreaming of a better world again.
-
For actors and actresses everywhere
[Read the article: Heigl didn't love "Knocked Up"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Hold the phone, acting is a tough profession. Sometimes you will take a movie role or a part in a play you may not love but pays the bills (re Michael Cain). I have no problem with actors working for money (as a dancer I understand how important it can be to get paid for your art) and then letting the producers and everyone know they weren't in love with it.
Refused to see Knock Up, because I have had a couple of friends in this very predicament, and they took control of their lives and they're bodies (and no they didn't both have abortions.) Like marrying the guy is the way out! Now that's funny!
-
You are right and Can you be my landlord?
[Read the article: The case against homeownership]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Anonymous 3:14 - you are so right. In general, landlords tend to be greedy lazy bastards, and some are downright deceitful (inducing the signing of leases with lies and promises unfulfilled). When rents began dropping in Boston, most landlords started offering 1 (or 2) month(s)free, but of course, it wasn't 1 or two months free, it was spread over 12 months, making a $1000 a month rent, $917 per month. But, the apartment was still listed at $1000 a month so that none of the other tenants (in the same building or on the same street) wouldn't know they lowered the price. Some tenants were specifically told not to tell other tenants about the arrangement.
And to Timbuktom - you cut grass, tweak toilets, and kiss tenant butt? Can you be my landlord? My husband had his right leg amputated this past summer, and I ask you, do you think we have railings on the stairs yet? Do you really need me to answer?
Renting sucks, and owning sucks. Basically, being part of this economy, if you have no money (sometimes caused by a serious health problem) you're screwed.