The GOP health bill isn’t serious policymaking We welcome your opinion
As a retired small-business owner who spent many years as a registered Republican, I am outraged by the process that Senate Republicans have followed on “health care” reform. Their latest proposal, possibly to be pushed forward to a vote without a nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office score to show the impact of the “Cruz Amendment,” is the last straw. If I had tried to run my family business the way they are trying to run the country, I wouldn’t have been able to show my face in town.
Republicans are acting like ignorance and deception are their best allies. Will the Cruz Amendment’s open door to cheap “subprime” insurance policies affect the stability of risk pools? Insurers tell Forbes magazine it will be a disaster (see “Insurers Rip Ted Cruz’s Trumpcare Amendment,” July 12 by Bruce Japsen). And still Sen. Pat Toomey wants to push forward to a vote without Congress’ independent actuaries assessing the consequences?
This is an insult to every American taxpayer. Throw out this damaging, destabilizing bill and start over. America wants serious, bipartisan policymaking now. DOUG WIBLE
East Liberty his vast ineptitude to the satisfaction of his base? Or will he escape once again through lies and deception?
Will American voters awake to their responsibility in electing an incompetent know-nothing to the highest office of our land? Time will tell, but meanwhile, we are going to suffer for our complacency. DAVID M. TURNER
North Fayette
Regarding “Trump Loves Parades” (July 13 news brief): All of France commemorates every July 14 (Bastille Day) with magnificent military parades wherever troops are stationed. According to your report, Donald Trump didn’t know this and wasn’t expected to attend, but “then he learned there would be a military parade.” Should an American president not understand other countries better, especially our closest allies?
Moreover, the 100th anniversary of U.S. entry into World War I should also have been brought to his attention for formal recognition. American might, militarily as well as by its resources and sacrifices, decisively helped to win that disastrous war and laid the foundation of the de facto alliance with the Western democracies. JOHN H. FEIST Oakland
POTUS is the acronym for the president of the United States. FLOTUS then is the acronym for the first lady of the United States. However, looking further into the FLOTUS acronym, I perceive the “F” representing “fashion” and the “S” representing “smile.” The remaining letters, “LOTU,” represent to me a LOT (of) Unfilled requirements of a first lady. She is perfecting the “wave” but only when that hand is not occupied holding back her blowing tresses and dresses. Runway exposure is noticeable in her mannerisms at all times.
Oh, how I yearn for a real first family in the White House and a president who makes me proud. An appropriate acronym is MAPA: Make America Proud Again. JERI WILLIAMS
Upper St. Clair
Regarding the Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park:
This beautiful course in the middle of Pittsburgh’s elder golfing population could and should be converted to a ninehole riding and nine-hole walking course. By riding, I’m referring to golf carts, which are necessary to us senior golfers.
The closest riding course is approximately 25 to 30 miles away from Oakland and off of heavily traveled roadways. I have presented this scenario to many qualified golfers who are in total agreement that this change would not only be a major convenience but also a financial boon tothe city treasury. Let’s tee it off. ARTHUR SPIEGEL
Oakland