Republicans don’t sell their free-market solutions Re: “Health care is about more than repealing Obamacare,” Aug. 24
Philip Klein makes a very good point about how health care doesn’t seem to be a big issue among Republicans as it is with Democrats. Every Democratic president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has proposed health care reform, but the last Republican president to do so was Richard Nixon.
Republicans have good proposals, such as allowing people to buy insurance across state lines, but they don’t seem to advocate their ideas very strongly. This lack of advocacy is why we’ve ended up with the Democrats’ government version of health care instead of free-market ones.
Ross Sylvestri
Newport News, Va.
Coast Guard is a careful steward of public funds
Re: “Coast Guard struggling to update its aging fleet,” Aug. 22
This Associated Press story asserted after $7 billion-plus spent, the Coast Guard only bought two ships. That’s inaccurate.
What did the public’s $7 billion investment buy over the past 10 years? In addition to two highly capable 418-foot national security cutters now patrolling the high seas, a third will be delivered next month, a fourth is being built and a contract award for the fifth is imminent.
We have two 154-foot fast response cutters nearing completion with six more under construction, 12 new fixed-wing aircraft and three more on order, and new construction or upgrades to shore facilities that support the fleet. We overhauled our 30- to 40-year-old fleet of 35 ships and 169 aircraft to sustain current operations.
We must be resolute stewards of the public’s investment. We have significantly strengthened our acquisition proficiency over the past decade with appropriate oversight from Congress. Our growing record of acquisition successes reflects that reality. The plans to replace the Coast Guard’s aging fleet are on track, and remain necessary to preserve the nation’s maritime security and safety.
That why our motto is Semper Paratus, Always Ready.
Adm. Bob Papp
Commandant,
U.S. Coast Guard
Federalism allows citizens to vote with their feet
Re: “McDonnell, O’Malley spar over economy, spending,” Aug. 21
The dialog between Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell published in the past few issues of The Examiner are very informative. Both states sit adjacent to the nation’s capital and both have a large presence of government workers and contractors fueling their economies. Their differences are rooted in policy.
One is a right-to-work state while the other imposes collective bargaining. One taxes at low rates, and the other taxes at high rates. One believes government spending serves as a major component
to economic recovery, while the other believes that the private sector does that better than government.
As a D.C. resident trying to decide where I want to live permanently one day, I’m watching this debate very closely. Which of these areas will offer me the best environment as a resident, taxpayer and recipient of government services? Given all the evidence of budgets, deficits, and unemployment figures, Virginia is cleaning the other two jurisdictions’ clock.
Observing which ideas work the best is federalism at work, and our federal government should recognize that this is one reason state governments should drive most public policy. If each respective political party believes their ideas truly are better, they should also embrace federalism to a far greater degree.
Brian Wrenn
Washington
