Debilitating debt
TO THE EDITOR: Now that the elections are over and the best people have been selected for the job, maybe we can get down to serious business. I'm not talking about health care, the economy or even Mideast wars. I'm talking about the debt that is destroying our country.
It's not that the above-mentioned issues aren't important; it's just that once we go bankrupt they will seem moot. If you don't have financing, you can't fix health care or fight a war or give cash for clunkers.
How did we get ourselves into such a pickle? Or better put, how did our nation's trustees put us in this pickle? Simple. They didn't take to heart the wisdom of our founding fathers. Thomas Jefferson wrote: "I place economy among the first and most important virtues, and public debt as the greatest dangers to be feared. To preserve our independence we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and in our comforts, in our labor and in our amusements. If we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy".
Less than 30 years ago the total debt of our country was less than $1 trillion. Now we are on the threshold of $12 trillion with annual increases of $1 trillion. What went wrong? Two things: the first was Reaganomics. The second was not stopping this idiotic approach to correcting temporary economic downturns.
Evidently the "Tax and Spend" (or more correctly put, "Spend then Tax") approach was embraced by both political parties. A balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution would have prevented the disastrous situation we are now faced with.
Now we most probably will have to turn on the printing presses and make more dollars. Bad idea. If you think times are tough now, just wait.
Robert Lutz
Morrisonville
Conduct questioned
TO THE EDITOR: I have always been taught that the New York State Troopers were at disposal to us with the intent of serving and protecting ourselves and our communities. Recently I have discovered that this is not a true statement, and I believe that the New York State Troopers are more motivated to harass and embarrass.
On the morning of Oct. 22 at 8 a.m., my husband was on the long journey from Willsboro to Queensbury for work when he was struck with the common symptoms of a stroke. He immediately pulled his vehicle to the side of the highway and used an emergency phone to call for help. The first to arrive on scene was the New York State Troopers. My husband was lying on the side of the highway telling them, "I need help. I need an ambulance. There is something wrong. Please help me." This is as the troopers were administering a breathalyzer test and searching the vehicle. After they were satisfied that he was not a drunk driver, they allowed him to board the ambulance to receive medical care.
This is not the treatment that I would expect a critically ill person to receive in a time of emergency. As well as the lack of respect and compassion, the troopers on scene have also "misplaced" the insurance ID card, registration and license. If this is what we pay them for, then I never want help from New York State Troopers.
Sabrina Estus
Willsboro
Hospice growing
TO THE EDITOR: November is National Hospice and Palliative Care month. Hospice of the North Country, Inc. has the honor and privilege of serving those at the end of life from Clinton and Northern Franklin counties. It is our mission and goal to provide high quality, interdisciplinary end-of-life care for all who would desire and benefit from our services. In 2008 we did just that for 230 individual patients.
As I write this letter in late October, we have already served some 222 patients in 2009. What does that mean? First of all, it means our organization and service is recognized as a desirable option in the community both by health-care providers and those at the end of life. It also means we are getting the news out to the community of the wonderful work we do. We help patients and families reach goals, not the least of which is to be at home for their final chapter of life. We provide high quality care that includes nursing, spiritual, home-health aide care, social work, bereavement and volunteer assistance. Our patients and their families tell others that they are happy with our care and recommend it highly. It means that we will probably serve about 250 patients and their families in 2009, allowing us to impact around 20 more patients this year than last. It means we are recognized as leaders in the field of end-of-life care in the North Country.
This is all possible because the North Country community has embraced the work we do, as evidenced by your financial donations, volunteer hours and, most importantly, your trust in allowing us to care for your loved ones. Thank you.
Kent W. Brooks
Chief executive officer
Hospice of the North Country
Plattsburgh
Cardiac arrest
TO THE EDITOR: Last year, Congress passed legislation designating October as "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month." In the U.S. more than 300,000 people die every year of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). In fact, more people die of SCA than from stroke, breast cancer and AIDS combined.
Sudden cardiac arrest results from a sudden electrical malfunction of the heart, and can result in death within minutes. It is different from a heart attack, which results from a sudden interruption of blood flow in an artery supplying the heart muscle. In an effort to help fight this epidemic, the Heart Rhythm Society has launched a multi-year campaign to educate the public about sudden cardiac arrest, and about steps to reduce the death toll from this epidemic.
Please visit the Heart Rhythm Society website at www.HRSonline.org to learn more about SCA and about steps you can take to reduce your risk and perhaps one day save somebody else's life.
Samer Y Siouffl, MD
Lake Champlain Cardiology Associates
Plattsburgh
Thanks for assistance
TO THE EDITOR: The Peru Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary would like to express their thanks and appreciation to the following for their assistance with our 2010 Calendar:
Action Auto Accessories, Ann's Tailor Shop, Apple Blossom Florist, Bill's Body Shop, Dubay Family Chiropractic, Everett Orchards, Forrence Orchards, Frosty Springs Bottling, Hamilton Funeral Home, Iroquois Campground, J. Hogan Refrigeration, Knights of Columbus 1273, Langley Insurance Agency, Leon Blair-Contractor, Liberty's Garage, Little Pizza Shop and Lynny's Childcare.
Also, Needle & Thread, New Impressions, Northern Sanitation, Peru Auto Exchange, Peru Community Church, Peru Fire Dept. Commissioners, Peru Health Mart Pharmacy, Peru Rod & Gun Club, Peru School Federal Credit Union, Peru Veterinary Hospital, Pilon Transport & Towing, Rulfs Orchard, Shear Creations, St. Augustine's and St. Patrick's Parish, Sunporch Salon, Sweet Treat, TD Bank, Peru Valehaven Home and Yarborough Square.
Thanks again for your support.
Kim Williams
Sherri Provost
Peru VFD Auxiliary
