You SAY: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Welfare accountability
Re: Nov. 14 article, “Leaders tout welfare drug tests.”
Maybe if someone explained what is being done now to ensure welfare monies are being spent for the intended purpose, like food, shelter and clothing for the families, then this wouldn’t be such a controversial subject. Maybe drug testing is an overreaction, but at least it is an attempt to make sure that the money goes for helping to support the family. Or should we just send the checks and hope for the best?
Depression covered
Many here in Texas have said the results of the presidential election have made them depressed. I’d like to pass on some good positive news to those who are depressed. Lucky for them that depression is covered under Obamacare.
We pay for health law
Re: Nov. 27 article, “Health law study: States get $9 for every $1 spent.”
We continue to chuckle at the various letters to the editor and “news” stories that mislead. Today’s front page stated, “Obama’s health care law is a good deal for the states as the federal government picks up most of the tab for the expansion of Medicaid.” The follow-up story stated the states will pay just $76 billion while the feds will pay the other $952 billion. It should be needless to say that the federal government and the feds that will pay these astronomical amounts are we taxpayers — that is, the 50 percent of us who pay federal income tax. And if you have a job, you also pay Medicare taxes.
Brothers’ keepers
Re: Nov. 27 article, “Health law study: States get $9 for every $1 spent.”
This article states that states will receive $9 for every $1 dollar they spend. How does this money miraculously appear? Realizing that a non-federal entity is printing monopoly money for us to now spend, it’s that same money that it’s getting back in taxes. Sooo, a nonfed printeth, and the feds taketh away. And, they taketh away from “little brother (taxpayers)” to play “big brother” and become their keepers. … No wonder the U.S. is broke.
Schools have options
Re: Nov. 27 article, “$60 million was deep cut, schools chief says.”
It is difficult to buy Austin school district Superintendent Meria Carstarphen’s story of the dire financial situ- ation of the Austin Independent School District. This district is sitting on $242 million in reserves and the district continues to waive property tax revenues from about 500 wealthy Austinites under the historical property tax exemption. Carstarphen needs to do all she can do with what she already has before she starts asking for more.
Congress of hypocrites
Re: Nov. 25 commentary, “One nation — but maybe no so indivisible after all.”
I read about the number of states with residents signing a petition to secede from our country. Not Obama’s country. Not the GOP country or Democrat country. Our country. Anyone remember the Civil War, or as some call it, the War of Secession? Are these people really serious? What about means to defend, protect and improve life’s standards for the citizenry?
I’m not a fan of the present administration, but neither am I a fan of the GOP. In fact, if people would stop and think, it is this Congress of hypocrites that have divided this country. Get rid of these “pig pen” dwellers. … Don’t secede! Organize, fight and proceed to get rid of this group of constitution-busting morons that are lifetime dwellers in Washington.
Single-sex not answer
Re: Nov. 17 article, “Boys school probably delayed.”
One of the problems with the proposal for an all-boys school in Austin is that, despite the success of the Ann Richards School for Young Women, there is no evidence that dividing students by gender leads to greater academic success. According to neuroscientists, in a recent New Yorker article, there is no well-designed research proving that single-sex education improves students’ academic performance. … Why is the Austin school district chasing this illusion? Why not invest instead in smaller classes, better teaching, stronger administrators in all schools?
Utilize nurses’ skills
Advanced practice nurses (APN) are master-level graduates who are licensed to diagnose, treat, and manage various populations. Empirical research has consistently proven that appropriately trained APNs provides highquality care. The American Medical Association expects there to be a shortage of nearly 160,000 physicians by 2025. One hundred-eighty five of the 254 Texas counties are medically underserved, 28 without physicians at all, and only 9 percent physicians work in rural areas. The Institute of Medicine recommends the use of APNs as a feasible option for increasing primary care capacity and reducing cost. At the 83rd legislative session, organized nursing organizations will propose a collaborative agreement model that will provide consultation with physicians, allow APNs to practice to the extent of their training and increase patients’ access to care. The Austin American-Statesman encourages email and faxes from readers. Please include a full name, address and daytime and evening phone numbers.We edit letters for brevity, grammar, style and clarity. Edited letters address a single idea and do not exceed 150 words.Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters become property of the Austin AmericanStatesman. Send emails to letters@ statesman.com. Mail to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 670,Austin,TX 78767.