‘Fast & Furious’ exposes erosion of rule of law Re: “Now Holder’s sorry,” Beltway Confidential, Nov. 10
The more I hear of ATF’s “Fast and Furious” program, the more I am disillusioned. It’s become abundantly clear that arbitrary partisan goals, not the Constitution, now rule in our country.This is also evident in other areas, including immigration and voting law enforcement.
Giving foreign criminals weapons to generate political pressure for gun control is the obvious end of many poor, mismanaged choices.This must never happen again. Those responsible need to be prosecuted.
The system of checks and balances originally intended by the founders of our democratic republic has been subrogated. We are being ruled by executive and judicial fiat instead of the legislative process prescribed under our Constitution.
Like Michele Obama, I am now ashamed of this country, but this is a first for me.
Hank Staniszewski
Bowie
Real problem is rising health care costs, not Medicare
Re: “Budget battle is not all about me,” Nov. 8
We agree with David Walker and Lisa Borders about the need for Congress to rein in rising health care costs. So why are they sidestepping that problem and focusing on Medicare and Medicaid?
Without addressing the underlying problem of rising costs, asking others to pay more for these lifeline programs would simply leave more people behind while adding cost pressure in the private insurance markets. AARP remains committed to both lowering costs and improving health care by focusing on greater provider coordination, attacking high drug costs, and further efforts at fraud prevention.
We’d also appreciate that the authors get a better perspective about Medicare before using a double standard to attack our advocacy work on behalf of older Americans. They contend that it is “flatly false” to suggest that seniors have paid for their Medicare benefits, which are subsidized by general revenue.Imagine, after paying your premiums regularly, your employer announces midyear that it’s going to cut benefits and increase your costs. Chances are, you’d not only be upset at the broken promise, but also feel that you’d be losing benefits for which you had responsibly paid.
AARP will continue to provide a platform for millions of Americans who rely on Medicare.Their voices should be heard through the echo chamber din of misinformation and attacks.
David Certner
Legislative policy director,
AARP
Washington
Alzheimer’s is not part of normal aging process
Re: “Missing elderly woman found,” Oct. 29
My grandmother suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s disease and also wandered. We have to stop pretending this disease is a normal part of the aging process. It is not!
With baby boomers aging and no known way to slow or prevent this horrific disease, it is imperative for the welfare of our citizens and our health care system that we make finding a cure a national priority.
I want to thank Del. Eleanor Holmes-Norton for co-sponsoring the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act (H.R. 1897) and HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act (H.R. 1386). I pray that other legislators follow suit.
Katori Brown
Washington
