LETTERS: America becoming a laughingstock
To the editor:
In her letter to the editor, Beth Brown questions whether the rest of the world is looking at our Affordable Care Act in the same way that many are poking fun at the Sochi Olympics (“Olympic-sized failure,” Feb. 13 Review-Journal). Well, Ms. Brown, they’re more than poking fun at us. They’re laughing at us.
A friend who was born in Italy and lives here recently traveled to her hometown to visit family and old friends. She had a wonderful reunion with loved ones not seen in many years.
However, now that she is an American citizen, she was embarrassed and dismayed to find that her acquaintances and their acquaintances in her small hometown were indeed laughing at America and what is happening here in so many areas. Most of all, they were laughing at us and in disbelief that we had re-elected President Barack Obama. Evidently, they had no respect for the president and were incredulous at the amount of chaos, unease and divisiveness his policies were creating here at home, especially the Affordable Care Act.
Are these folks the only ones who feel this way? Are there others? I dare say there are. Yes, Ms. Brown, people are poking fun at us, and it’s embarrassing.
GARY ECHOLS
LAS VEGAS
Others should join CVS
To the editor:
Last week, there was historic news that the national pharmacy chain CVS Caremark will be the first company of its kind to end tobacco sales. We at the American Cancer Society applaud this bold decision that will undoubtedly help to save lives from cancer.
CVS Caremark’s wise ethical move was also a great business decision. While progress has been made in the fights against cancer and tobacco, tobacco-related illnesses cost our economy more than $300 billion in direct medical costs and lost productivity annually. This lethal product is poised to kill 1 billion people worldwide in this century and do inestimable harm to world economies. Tobacco causes an estimated 480,000 U.S. deaths annually. More than 2,000 Nevadans will be diagnosed with lung and bronchus cancer alone this year; 1,420 will die of the disease.
The business community must be an integral part of the solution if we want to finish the fight against cancer. To that end, the American Cancer Society is engaging business leaders such as those at CVS Caremark to create a corporate movement to end cancer. We hope leaders from this community come forward to join our ranks.
JENNIFER CAMPBELL
LAS VEGAS
The writer is senior director of community engagement for the Great West Division of the American Cancer Society.
Donate to the Treasury
To the editor:
Regarding Dan Olivier’s letter to the editor (“Raise taxes, and prosperity will follow,” Friday Review-Journal), since he expounded on his liberal beliefs, he should fire the first shot at balancing our budget by donating half of his income to the U.S. Treasury. If Mr. Olivier and others who believe likewise will do this, we can pay off our national debt.
HOWARD CHATT
LAS VEGAS
Become self-reliant
To the editor:
Regarding Dan Olivier’s letter to the editor (“Raise taxes, and prosperity will follow,” Friday Review-Journal), I have a response I am sure he will dislike. Mr. Olivier states that his answer to make this country debt-free is to keep all the social programs we have and raise taxes (mainly on the rich) to pay for them.
Instead of relying on somebody else or the government to take care of your needs, try another route. Build a strong work ethic and try to advance your education. For some people, this is not possible, but it probably is possible for many people. Some people need to get off the cash cow.
CHRIS CORBIN
HENDERSON
