Absence of local radio station a loss for community
To the Editor:
When we moved to Goldendale 10 years ago, one of the first really good things I learned about in town was KLCK radio, 1400 AM. Of course it is fun to listen to the music of my high school years, but the very best thing has always been the community-connected programming.
The morning talk shows have provided regular conversations with our elected officials, school board, police department and sheriff, the public library, and many local service organizations, along with the opportunity for citizens to call in with questions and get responses on the air. The community calendar is invaluable as an easy way to publicize an event or activity, and to learn about what's happening around Goldendale. The hot line program offers everyone an opportunity to buy, sell, trade and share their opinions. Possibly the best thing is that you don't need to subscribe to a newspaper, you don't need to pay for satellite TV, you don't need an internet connection, all you need is a radio.
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that KLCK's presence with this programming is responsible for much of the connection and community feeling there is in and around Goldendale, across a lot of differences in age, residence, occupation and personal history. The absence of this live, frequent, participative communication is bound to be damaging to community connection and understanding, and I very much hope that it can be restored.
Ruth Bruns
Goldendale
Healthcare myth-bustering
To the Editor:
The debate over the state of healthcare in this country has been heating up. Along with it, there are certain myths that should be set to fact. Leading the pack is an often-repeated statement, most recently by Senator Richard Shelby, that the United States has the "best healthcare system in the world."
The World Health Organization (WHO) regularly rates countries and the quality of healthcare they deliver to their citizens. In the most recent rating the United States was No. 37. The country that delivered the highest quality healthcare was France; Italy was second.
The United States spends the highest percentage of GDP on healthcare (13.4 percent), has the lowest life expectancy (71.6 years for men and 78.6 years for women) of all industrialized countries and leads the world in infant mortality (10.4 per 1,000 live births).
These are not statistics we should be proud of. So the question is, what to do about it? Generally, Democrats in Congress seem to favor a public system that would be available to those who cannot afford private insurance. Republicans are more inclined to endorse a plan that gives subsidies to existing private insurance providers, much like the Medicare Prescription Drug Bill enacted several years ago.
Some Senate Republicans recently sent a letter to President Obama lamenting the fact that his proposed government plan would undercut the cost of the current healthcare delivery system. This statement alone makes it clear that some members of Congress are more concerned with the profits of the major healthcare corporations than providing quality medical care to the 25 million people who are uninsured.
Making profit from sick and dying people never made much sense to me. Now, given the state of medical care in the United States, it seems totally brainless, insensitive and greedy!
Eric Olsen
Goldendale
Job well done
To the Editor,
Several contractors were unable or unwilling to tackle fencing my rocky lava bed slope. This turned out to be a blessing.
I found James Sullivan Construction on the Internet and within three days, we had a contract. James and his crew erected 800 feet of six ft. tall fencing, including six gates, in 4-1/2 days. The fence blends right into the trees.
If you've ever had a giant puppy on a leash, you know what a blessing a fenced yard becomes. Now my dogs are in, the wild dogs are out and I still have the view I love so much.
I love my beautiful country fence. Well done!
Diane Allen
Goldendale
Family reunion set
To the Editor,
The Sappington west coast reunion will be held June 19-20 at the Mosier Grade School.
For more information, please contact Betty Sappington, (541) 386-1464.
Betty Sappington
Hood River
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