Letters

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 8, 2008

HEALTH MATTERS

Legislation encourages people to get screenings

I was proud to co-sponsor one of the important health care bills the Governor signed recently ("Insurance for state kids is expanded," The Gazette, June 3).

Although it is the fourth-most-common type of cancer in Colorado, colon cancer has the second-highest mortality rate. Nearly half of those diagnosed with colon cancer could be saved if they had access to early screening.

Screening can be the difference between catching a polyp early, maybe before it is cancerous, and waiting too long. It is the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, colonoscopies and other types of screenings can be extremely pricey. Depending on the copayment, the average deductible for colorectal cancer screenings can range from $300 to $5,000, making testing cost-prohibitive, even for those with insurance.

But this year, we passed one of the most significant preventative health care bills in years. I co-sponsored House Bill 1410 which slashes the price of cancer screenings. The new law requires insurance companies to provide the most common colon cancer screenings with co-payments of no more than 10 percent of the total cost.

As a cancer survivor, I know firsthand how important early detection is. Focusing on prevention will help reduce our spiraling health care costs and keep Coloradans healthy. I encourage all people over age 50, and even younger if you are at-risk, to get tested, today.

Rep. Michael Merrifield

Colorado House District 18 Colorado Springs

SOME RULES COMMITTEE

Members took votes from millions of Democrats

Thirty members of the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee met in Washington, D.C. on May 31 with a promise to fairly resolve a crisis that threatened the very legitimacy of our democracy. Voters in Michigan and Florida, 2.4 million of them, went to the polls in good faith to vote for their presidential nominee. Their voices still have not been heard.

The decision for Michigan was a travesty. The will of more than 600,000 voters were given a 1/2 vote instead of a full vote. The committee went on record as saying the rules must be followed. What rules gave them the right to give four of Sen. Hillary Clinton's delegates to Sen. Barack Obama?

Where is the rule that says uncommitted delegates go to Obama? Uncommitted delegates should go to the convention uncommitted and make their decision there. Obama accepted this so-called compromise. How can a candidate whose message is unity and "count every voice" agree to support a decision that strips Clinton of delegates she rightfully earned?

The day that was supposed to unite the party did just the opposite.

Brenda Krause

Colorado Springs

INTO THE WILD

Op-eds took opposite views of the same local area

What a way to start a weekend: two pompous swells (David Lien, Richard Celeste) on the same page, offering their opinions on what to do with the same area ("Roosevelt would back local wilderness area;" "Project would spotlight southern Colorado arts," Other Voices, May 31). One compared himself to President Teddy Roosevelt and the other encouraged us to support "Rags Over the River" as art. One urged keeping out all but the elites and the other wants to attract as many as possible to see his definition of art.

Joe Pieper

Colorado Springs

MANAGING THE MARKET

Windfall profits tax would allow feds to be in control

Syndicated columnist John Stossel argued that high oil prices and profits are good for America because the free market incentives will lead to more exploration, development of oil substitutes and increased efficiency (" 'Windfall' profits proposals tax knowledge of economics," Opinion, May 31). Increased taxes can also have the same effect.

If oil companies can no longer make huge profits either through increased prices for their product (effect of the increased tax burden) or through greater efficiencies which allow prices and therefore profits to remain the same, they will seek out new alternatives where there is greater profit potential. Demand affects price and when prices get too high there is more incentive to find substitutes.

Do we want to provide incentives for oil companies and investors to continue our reliance on oil or finding alternative renewable sources? Alternative sources which are less damaging to our environment, sources which might be discovered through our colleges and universities funded by the windfall-profit taxes.

Our government can guide the free market so it benefits our nation. Or our government can take a laissez-faire approach and let the market control what happens, which may not always be in our nation's interests. President Franklin Roosevelt warned us in his first inaugural address in reference to profit seekers in the marketplace, "They have no vision, and when there is no vision the people perish."

Tim Durbin

Fountain

TEACHER PAY

Educators on sliding back with current pay scale

This is regarding The Gazette's May 31 report, "Teachers will see roughly 1 % pay hike." The story stated, "teachers also see pay increases each year they remain in the district and for training and education."