Health data suggest Brits healthier than Americans
Re: “Want worse health care? Try British model,” editorial, July 1
In response to the editorial that critiques the British National Health Service, it is important to restate some facts that might have misled readers. The editorial concludes that “Americans live longer, healthier lives than Brits.” Unfortunately, many international health indicators suggest otherwise.
The latest health data from the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development highlights that life expectancy in the United States is 78.1 years, while the British can expect to live an average of 79.5 years. Furthermore, infant mortality rates in the U.S. continue to remain among the highest of OECD members. This is in spite of the fact that health care spending per capita in the U.S. is almost 2 1/2 times greater than that in Britain.
It is vital that the debate on the future of health care continues to ensure that Americans truly do have access to high-quality care.
Peter Robertson
Alexandria
Obama is too narcissistic to succeed
Re: “Obama too brilliant to fail?” June 30
Is President Obama too brilliant to fail? The truth is, he’s too narcissistically disturbed and left-istically programmed to succeed. Plus, he lacks the political talent set of, say, Bill Clinton.
Obama got where he is by being a symbol: “The First Black/Non-White President.” Too bad a symbol isn’t a leader.
Sharon Kass
Silver Spring
Military service has always been optional for presidents
Re: “Let’s require presidents to have prior military service,” June 28
While Gregory Kane’s proposal to require presidents to possess prior military service is admirable in sentiment, it’s not sensible in practice.
Kane’s argument flies in the face of history: Over one-third of all our commanders in chief who presided over major military conflicts had no military experience, including Founders John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Neither the Founders nor the Constitution they defended (and in Madison’s case, drafted) placed a military service requirement on the president — even with the model of George Washington in mind. Their silence is significant.
Were we to require service for any job involving “stress” related to the military, nearly every federal and state elected official would need to be a veteran.
Finally, assuming presidential aspirants lacking military credentials did not think the military was “worth” joining assumes too much. And we all know what happens when you assume.
William J. Haun
Chapter President, The Federalist Society
The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
