YOUR VIEWS
Eye care story
After we retired and lost our employer-provided vision insurance, we tried the Walmart Vision Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, near where we lived at the time. The doctor performed the same exam we had become accustomed to at the other optometrists in the area. My wife had developed a habit of closing one eye while reading, and other optometrists had told her there was nothing they could do. This doctor identified the problem and prescribed lenses that eliminated the issue.
After moving to Oklahoma, we tried a couple of local optometrists. One we saw in 2017 prescribed lenses that had both of us closing one eye to read. My wife returned to the office and was told surgery was the only thing that would help. We were considering making a trip back to Idaho Falls. We tried one more local optometrist. This doctor was willing to use our records from the Idaho Falls Walmart Vision Center and correctly identified the problem with our prescriptions. He also offers lowcost frame and lens packages!
I cannot attest to the quality of eye care at all Walmart Vision Centers, but I can tell you about the one in Idaho Falls.
Larry Hughes, Hammon
In favor of SQ 793
For low-income patients throughout Oklahoma, State Question 793 could be among the most important upcoming questions on the ballot in November. SQ 793 will introduce common-sense improvements to our outdated optometry laws and improve access to eye care for communities and Oklahomans.
By voting for SQ 793, patients would finally see the same convenience, choice and affordability for purchasing eyewear and receiving eye exams that Americans in nearly every other state already enjoy. This is because SQ 793 would let the free market work by allowing optometrists to practice in retail stores. This would come without sacrificing on quality, as optometrists practicing in retail locations would be required to have the same licensing standards as private practitioners. For too long, Oklahomans have been prevented from enjoying the benefits of modern optometry laws that encourage free-market competition. After working with low-income families as an RN case manager for nearly 40 years, I am voting “yes” on SQ 793 to reduce prices for these families.
Annaliese Church, Oklahoma City
Worthwhile movie
I am writing on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves, much less vote. I recently viewed the film “Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer” and was relieved by the absence of graphic images. For a subject that needs more exposure, I suppose they felt, as I, that the abhorrence of the subject alone should be enough to open willing eyes. I hope and pray that many who are open-minded about abortion will take the time to see the movie. And Nov. 6, remember those who cannot vote for themselves.
Gary Roberts, Oklahoma City
When will we wake up?
Oklahoma continues to fall behind in providing an education for its children. ACT scores are the lowest in the region. Only 16 percent of Oklahoma students meet all four college readiness benchmarks
in English, mathematics, reading and science, while 43 percent meet zero benchmarks. How long will it take for the citizens and the Legislature to wake up, to be concerned about Oklahoma’s sorry support for education? It will require a great deal of discussion, planning and money to remedy the situation. Our children, the state and our nation pay a dear price for this lack of support and concern.
How can the state possibly attract new businesses when its population has an inadequate public school education, is poorly prepared for college and is not prepared to work in the modern world? In addition, a quality education is a key ingredient toward the resolution of the many issues facing this state: health, housing, child, spousal and elder abuse, drug abuse, racism, etc.
Vote for those who have proven their support for education and will help lead this state to a better future. Welltrained and paid teachers are critical; equally important are concerned citizens and committed politicians.
Fred Schneider, Norman
Stitt and taxes
Ed Puckett (Your Views, Oct. 19) stated that Kevin Stitt would increase taxes on Oklahomans when he becomes governor. That’s wrong. When Gov. Stitt increases the salaries of teachers in Oklahoma next year and increases spending on Oklahoma’s infrastructure, he has promised to do it by finding huge inefficiencies in current state government spending, not by increasing taxes.
Roger Jackson, Oklahoma City
An honorable man
I am very discouraged by the Republican/conservative characterization of Drew Edmondson as a “career politician” as if it’s a disease. I choose to believe Edmondson has offered a lifetime of service to his country, state and community. He was part of the generation that heard the call of John Kennedy to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Edmondson enlisted in the Navy after college and served in the Vietnam War when many of us (me included) were protesting that war. He served his community as a classroom teacher, then a district attorney. He served the state as attorney general, trying to clean up rivers in eastern Oklahoma against polluters, and helped secure the tobacco settlement that continues its endowment to our state today.
Edmondson is an honorable man with an honorable legacy and we should all be proud to vote for this man who brings experience, integrity and a plan for our state going forward. Our alternative is a man, however successful in the mortgage business arena, who felt such little civic responsibility that he chose repeatedly not to vote on the important issues confronting our state over the course of several years.
Penny Barber, Edmond
Warren’s DNA
Tribal leaders and others criticizing Elizabeth Warren’s DNA test because they are concerned about tribal sovereignty have missed an important point: She has ancestors who are indigenous to the New World. Just because she isn’t a member of the exclusive group of people whose ancestors are listed on the Dawes Roll does not give tribal leaders or anyone else the right to disrespect her ancestry. By the way, when is Donald Trump going to pony up the million dollars to charity?
Elaina Ellis, Oklahoma City