To the Editor:
Re “Barbs Fly as Rival Democrats Confront End of the Beginning” (news analysis, front page, Sept. 13):
I am dismayed once again by the Democratic debates. Here they are arguing with one another over health care and other “progressive” ideas. Instead, they should be debating how they each are going to do the best job undoing and repairing all the damage being inflicted on our country — its environment, its foreign policy, its moral standing, its military, its economy, its public discourse, etc. — by President Trump and the nasty people he has salted throughout the government.
The amount of damage done is formidable, and it’s going to take a Democratic president four years working full time just to correct it. Only then can we begin to try to implement “progressive” ideas.
Chuck Bell
Trinity, Fla.
To the Editor:
As long as the candidates don’t go in some scary and exploitable direction such as “open borders,” which past Democratic nominees and presidents, including President Obama, have strongly opposed, and as long as they are agreeable to one another on the stage and together appeal to the swing voters who watch — for three hours at a time — their strong and united takedown of our hateful and crass president, then these debates can only work to the good of all.
If only in 2016 we had had as many as these 10 strong and amiable Democratic candidates for the nomination.
James Adler
Cambridge, Mass.
To the Editor:
One phrase, “the record player,” which Joe Biden used in Thursday night’s debate, highlighted for me a major problem Democrats will have if they nominate him. Mr. Biden is stuck in the last century, both linguistically and culturally.
I am 70 years old, but the phrase clanged on my ears. It was wording I have neither heard nor used in decades. It may seem a small thing, but language matters. We need someone to lead the country into the future, not to relive the past.
Anne-Marie Hislop
Chicago
To the Editor:
I wonder how many Americans listening to the debate points regarding Medicare for All understand that Medicare is neither free nor inclusive of all health care costs. Medicare Part B (payment for doctors and outpatient services) has a monthly premium, as well as a deductible and co-pays. And traditional Medicare does not include coverage for vision, hearing or prescription drugs.
For fuller coverage, Medicare beneficiaries must purchase a Medigap policy, at a significant additional monthly cost, as well as a Part D prescription drug plan. Alternatively, they may select a Medicare Advantage plan, which usually includes prescription drug coverage and may also have some vision and hearing benefits, but limits the choice of providers.
As a recent retiree, I’m not dissatisfied with my Medicare coverage, but it is much less inclusive — and costs me much more — than coverage that I had from my employer.
Lyn S. Hill
Brooklyn
To the Editor:
Beto O’Rourke’s comments at the debate about confiscating assault weapons (“Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15”) were as plainly rational as suggesting guard rails on a dangerous bridge, yet we have fallen victim to the clever ploy of the National Rifle Association, which deems their recall the “heavy hand of government,” words that are wired to the nerve center of our politics.
While Mr. O’Rourke’s response was refreshingly candid, the better answer might be that the weapons should have never been legalized. We were conned and outmaneuvered by the money and power of the N.R.A., and now we have to clean up the mess if we care about tomorrow’s innocents.
Larry Lobert
Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.
To the Editor:
As Republicans circle the wagons to protect President Trump from charges of obstruction of justice, tax and financial illegalities, campaign violations and witness tampering, the Democrats are forming their circular firing squad to personally attack one another and diminish their candidates, especially the most electable, former Vice President Joe Biden, who has the best chance to defeat this president.
As a line in a popular old folk song goes, “When will they ever learn?”
Kenneth L. Roff
Brooklyn
Source: Read Full Article
Home » Analysis & Comment » Opinion | The Latest Debate: 10 Democrats, Vying to Take Command
Opinion | The Latest Debate: 10 Democrats, Vying to Take Command
To the Editor:
Re “Barbs Fly as Rival Democrats Confront End of the Beginning” (news analysis, front page, Sept. 13):
I am dismayed once again by the Democratic debates. Here they are arguing with one another over health care and other “progressive” ideas. Instead, they should be debating how they each are going to do the best job undoing and repairing all the damage being inflicted on our country — its environment, its foreign policy, its moral standing, its military, its economy, its public discourse, etc. — by President Trump and the nasty people he has salted throughout the government.
The amount of damage done is formidable, and it’s going to take a Democratic president four years working full time just to correct it. Only then can we begin to try to implement “progressive” ideas.
Chuck Bell
Trinity, Fla.
To the Editor:
As long as the candidates don’t go in some scary and exploitable direction such as “open borders,” which past Democratic nominees and presidents, including President Obama, have strongly opposed, and as long as they are agreeable to one another on the stage and together appeal to the swing voters who watch — for three hours at a time — their strong and united takedown of our hateful and crass president, then these debates can only work to the good of all.
If only in 2016 we had had as many as these 10 strong and amiable Democratic candidates for the nomination.
James Adler
Cambridge, Mass.
To the Editor:
One phrase, “the record player,” which Joe Biden used in Thursday night’s debate, highlighted for me a major problem Democrats will have if they nominate him. Mr. Biden is stuck in the last century, both linguistically and culturally.
I am 70 years old, but the phrase clanged on my ears. It was wording I have neither heard nor used in decades. It may seem a small thing, but language matters. We need someone to lead the country into the future, not to relive the past.
Anne-Marie Hislop
Chicago
To the Editor:
I wonder how many Americans listening to the debate points regarding Medicare for All understand that Medicare is neither free nor inclusive of all health care costs. Medicare Part B (payment for doctors and outpatient services) has a monthly premium, as well as a deductible and co-pays. And traditional Medicare does not include coverage for vision, hearing or prescription drugs.
For fuller coverage, Medicare beneficiaries must purchase a Medigap policy, at a significant additional monthly cost, as well as a Part D prescription drug plan. Alternatively, they may select a Medicare Advantage plan, which usually includes prescription drug coverage and may also have some vision and hearing benefits, but limits the choice of providers.
As a recent retiree, I’m not dissatisfied with my Medicare coverage, but it is much less inclusive — and costs me much more — than coverage that I had from my employer.
Lyn S. Hill
Brooklyn
To the Editor:
Beto O’Rourke’s comments at the debate about confiscating assault weapons (“Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15”) were as plainly rational as suggesting guard rails on a dangerous bridge, yet we have fallen victim to the clever ploy of the National Rifle Association, which deems their recall the “heavy hand of government,” words that are wired to the nerve center of our politics.
While Mr. O’Rourke’s response was refreshingly candid, the better answer might be that the weapons should have never been legalized. We were conned and outmaneuvered by the money and power of the N.R.A., and now we have to clean up the mess if we care about tomorrow’s innocents.
Larry Lobert
Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.
To the Editor:
As Republicans circle the wagons to protect President Trump from charges of obstruction of justice, tax and financial illegalities, campaign violations and witness tampering, the Democrats are forming their circular firing squad to personally attack one another and diminish their candidates, especially the most electable, former Vice President Joe Biden, who has the best chance to defeat this president.
As a line in a popular old folk song goes, “When will they ever learn?”
Kenneth L. Roff
Brooklyn
Source: Read Full Article