Incremental approach
TO THE EDITOR: On Jan. 22, the Press-Republican ran a political cartoon picturing a sail-powered cargo ship named "Tea Party," which depicted a bunch of scruffy, beady eyed brigands throwing parcels labeled "Healthcare Reform" overboard.
One possible interpretation could be that this was a satire of the Boston Tea Party aimed at blaming the Tea Party Movement for the failure of President Obama's plan to hijack the nation's Healthcare system.
Another could be Tea Party's support for Massachusetts Republican Sen.-elect Scott Brown's stunning victory over Obama's hand-picked nominee, Democrat Martha Coakly.
Whatever the motivation, it is true that the Tea Party Movement fully supported the Massachusetts electorate's choice of Scott Brown. But it is blatantly untrue that the Tea Party Movement represented in the North Country by the Upstate New York Tea (UNYTEA) membership is opposed to healthcare reform.
What UNYTEA is opposed to is a federal government takeover of the health-care system by the same Washington and Albany incompetents whose policies have discouraged investment, cost the North Country private-sector jobs, proposed endless tax increases, favored unlimited spending, tripled the Nation's debt and bought the votes of morally bereft members of Congress with bald-faced bribery and back-room deals.
UNYTEA favors an incremental approach to improving the Health-care system starting with removing the barriers to interstate purchase of health insurance and tort reform which limits the incentive for lawyers to profit from the pain and suffering of their clients.
Those wishing to learn more about UNYTEA and our position on Health-care reform are encouraged to visit our Web site at UNYTEA.com.
Ted Hohn
Essex County UNYTEA coordinator
Willsboro
Socialism rejected
TO THE EDITOR: I will be hosting a "tea party" in the near future for all patriotic, real Americans. At that time, you will be able to drop off any signed socialist handout checks.
Reject the socialist money that feeds your addiction. Let's show the president and Congress we will not accept this Nazi/socialist path the Democrats are leading us down.
Signed checks you drop-off may include, but are not limited to: Social Security (even has social in its name), tax refunds, unemployment checks, any Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements, food stamps, and disability checks, government or insurance issued.
I will also make myself available to collect any grant money the state and federal governments has awarded to local governments, schools, prisons, etc. I'm sure all good Republicans agree that grant money is the biggest socialist trap of all. Once you feed from the trough, you're always scratching the itch for more.
I was meant to do great good and am willing to sacrifice my moral compass for the country's well-being. No longer will you be supporting and extending this socialist rule that has the country on its knees. Not only will you be helping the country, but you will be helping me pay for medical assistance. Looks like I'll need it with the drug and insurance companies remaining in command and the Supreme Court recently deciding large corporations should control the election process. Hurray for capitalism!
Down with socialists who would rather aid their citizens than send our money out of the country to invade and kill non-Christians. Spending tax dollars on Americans is socialism, pure and simple. Real Americans, let me take away all of your burden, and your signed checks.
Barry Devins
A real rural American
Peru
Take STDs seriously
TO THE EDITOR: I cannot believe the thinking behind professional women today. Any and all sexually transmitted disease testing should be taken seriously. We, as people, should be responsible, yet our physicians' assistants want to talk us out of being tested with their views of "this is the North Country. What are you at risk in getting up here?"
I am shocked to hear questions such as, do you think your partner had male to male contact or IV drug use? STDS are not just gay persons or drug-user problems. We are all at risk.
At my age I am able to speak out and say do the test anyway. However, what about the younger people who already feel invincible or the ones who feel they don't have to be tested because they have had only one partner or they are straight? Hearing these things from your PA only adds to the risk that people won't be tested or will feel they're safe. That is a false sense of hope.
I want to tell all people: please get out of the cave and think like educated people if your PA or doctor doesn't think the test is necessary and you have ever had sex, even once, then insist on the test or find a doctor who thinks it is the responsible thing to do.
I am appalled that I even had to write this because of the experience I had. We need to encourage everyone to be tested on a regular basis. This should be common sense by now. As an adult, straight female I feel that there is the same risk for everyone. Equal opportunity does not discriminate. Be safe. Think for yourself as an individual. Know your body. It knows what you need.
Teena Collette
Veterans helping
TO THE EDITOR: Two branches of local veteran's military service, the American Legion Post 224 and the Essex County Leathernecks Marine Corp League Detachment No. 791, have formed a coalition unique in this purpose to raise funds and provide relief for the profound human tragedy in Haiti from veterans, "The Veterans Haiti Relief Fund." It is an unique example of veteran's unity compassion and purpose in a time of peace as well as in war which so many of our veterans know so well.
Join with us. We ask with a simple "send what you can" to the Veteran's Haiti Relief Fund which will be forwarded through the Red Cross early in February. We will salute you; someone in Haiti will bless you. Send checks to Veteran's Haiti Relief Fund, Essex County Leathernecks Det. 791, 105 Mount Hope Ave., Ticonderoga, N.Y. 12883.
Brad Peters
Commandant
Marine Corps League Det. 791
Ticonderoga
Charlie Messier
Commandant American Legion Post 224
Ticonderoga
Upset at closure
TO THE EDITOR: As a former Hague town supervisor and chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, I was very upset to read that the governor was going to close the Moriah Shock Facility. There were many areas in the state that would not accept a facility of this type but since this area was very depressed and lacking job employment, it was accepted.
While I was supervisor, the facility provided benefits to the area. Many projects that would have cost the towns many dollars were supplied with labor by the Moriah facility. This also was the case in many area towns that couldn't afford this type of labor force.
I would encourage every family in our area to write a letter to Gov. David Paterson and Brian Fisher, Commissioner of New York State Department of Correctional Services asking them to re-think their decision about closing this facility. Also present employees would find it difficult finding employment in an already depressed area. I am not a resident of this area now, but most of my family still resides in this area where I still have a interest. Thank you.
If you have additional questions please contact me, dickbolton@aol.com.
Richard E. Bolton
Little River, S.C.
