Canadian health care system isn’t so bad

To the editor:

I read with interest Sherman Frederick's Sunday column on ObamaCare, which he called a "bastardized Canada-lite system that eventually delivers timely care only to those who know somebody with pull in the government." Then he states, "Canadians know what I'm talking about."

I wonder what Canadians he is speaking of.

I spend every winter here in Las Vegas, love your city, your state and your country. Last year, upon my return to Calgary, I went to my family doctor on May 4 complaining about cramps, etc. She scheduled a colonoscopy for May 16 and on that day informed me that I had colon cancer. She referred me to a surgeon. After my May 24 visit with him, the operation was scheduled for May 26. I came home on May 30 and a month later was told the good news, no further treatment required.

Now I know nobody in government. I did not pay one dime for this service. I realize, of course, that my tax dollars are paying for health care, but that is OK with me - and what the government pays the doctors is also OK with me. And now that I have a "pre-existing" condition, I am still guaranteed service.

Judy McCallum

Las Vegas

Romney's choice

To the editor:

On the issue of Mitt Romney's running mate:

Mr. Romney, the probable GOP presidential nominee, might hit a home run with Brian Sandoval, a former federal judge who was elected Nevada's first-ever Hispanic governor two years ago. Gov. Sandoval has also been a former attorney general, served in the Assembly and been chairman of the Gaming Commission. The Silver State is a bellwether state.

Bill Byrnes

Dayton

Life experience

To the editor:

Terry O'Neill, president of NOW, added another insult when - in trying to clarify Hilary Rosen's recent comments - she said Ann Romney lacks the "life experience" and "imagination" needed to understand most Americans. But I believe I have an answer for those asking how the rich Romneys could possibly relate to the poor.

Mitt Romney was a Mormon bishop. Having been an active Mormon most of my 55 years, I can provide an idea of what means. It is an unpaid position, and as a bishop you are called to tend to not only the spiritual but also the temporal needs of your ward. Anyone who needs assistance with food or clothing or shelter can go to the bishop, and he can give assistance through the funds set aside for that purpose.

I have seen rents paid and utility bills paid. The money for all of this comes from the individual members through fast offerings that are given the first Sunday of each month, as members are asked to skip two meals and give the price of those meals to the ward.

The bishop of the ward often learns who needs help through the relief society president, who leads the adult women of the ward. As part of her duties to know where help may be needed, the relief society president sees that every sister in the ward is visited by someone each month. Oftentimes the wife of the bishop is called to that calling, especially back east, where the members are spread out more.

If Mrs. Romney ever served in this calling, her life experiences give her plenty of knowledge about the problems poor people can have. I think before Ms. O'Neill starts making judgments, she should do a little research. I'm not sure Mother Teresa got paid for her job, either.

bree wallis

Caliente

Equal pay

To the editor:

In response to your Sunday story, "Gender gap: Myth or reality?"

Are these men who are earning 20 percent more than women in Nevada and elsewhere also fathers? Why is it that a working father does not opt for a less highly compensated job with more flex time? Perhaps because he makes the "life choice" to leave the problem of schedule contortion to his wife with the low-paying job so he can focus on his career.

Until men can conceive and deliver babies or start to participate equally in parenting, women will not be able to "choose" jobs to which they are required to devote their undiluted energies with associated higher pay. Not until then will we see whether people are really paid what they are worth.

Those who argue against changes that would allow women economic equality are the same ones who are benefiting from the current system that promotes lower pay for women. I am surprised that this article did not mention this very real explanation for the non-mythical gender gap in pay.

Kathleen M. Maynard

Las Vegas

More money

To the editor:

Sunday's Review-Journal included a full-page ad from The Council for a Better Nevada, a group of "Southern Nevada leaders," saluting the Clark County School Board, the superintendent and the district administration.

I will give credibility to this group when it takes out another full-page ad which addresses the No. 1 problem facing education in this state. That is the lack of a funding system that will bring in enough revenue to build a strong educational system.

Nearly every ranking of expenditures per student has the state in the bottom three or four in the country. Teacher salaries are average, at best, and they still are asked to give up more. How can you expect a strong teaching staff when a valet driver can make more than twice that of a beginning teacher? Class sizes in many areas are too high to give the attention needed to all students.

When I see members of this group publicly stand up for a better-funded education system, then I will tip my hat to them. It might be hard to do because those two dreaded words - tax increase - may be necessary to do this.

Window dressing goes only so far to improve the system. You have to address the main problem.

Robert Gregorich

Henderson