Letters to the editor: July 25

MEDICARE BILL VETO

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Republican minority hurting Congress

I see that Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., was one of 26 Republican senators out of 49 who voted to uphold President Bush’s veto of HR 6331, a bill designed to prevent cutting Medicare payments to doctors. At a time when more and more doctors are declining to accept Medicare patients, defeat of this bill could only aggravate an untenable situation for seniors. In the House of Representatives, 41 Republicans voted to uphold the veto and 153 voted to override it. Among those 41 were Reps. Jeff Flake, Trent Franks and Rick Renzi, all Arizona Republicans.

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All four are out of touch with those they represent. I would love to see them mandated to appear before assemblies of seniors throughout the state to offer their mealy-mouthed, double-talk explanations to those who would have been seriously affected. The bill originally failed in the Senate because 39 Republicans, including Kyl, voted to prevent it going forward. An unknown Republican moved to reconsider the bill the following day.

Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., left his sick bed to provide the 60th vote needed to send the bill to the president. When that happened, nine more Republicans, for a total of 18, crossed over to vote for it. Kyl was not among them.

The polls show Congress is more despised than the president for failing to address the needs of the American people. This is one example of why that is. The Republican minority has engaged in a successful campaign to delay and block everything. The bills that make it through are vetoed by the president and, with the exception of this Medicare bill, people like Kyl uphold the veto. Congress is getting a bad rap for the actions of a lock step minority which seems to despise the American people.

AL BOLDING

GILBERT

OIL

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We all should drive 55

The 55 mph speed limit should not have been repealed. Contrary to the Tribune’s view, there are many benefits. It would save oil and that would tend to bring the price down, improve our balance of trade deficit and strengthen the dollar. Perhaps more important, it would save lives. The news recently reported that because of the high cost of gas drivers are already driving slower and that saves thousands of lives annually. Saving lives means lower insurance premiums. I’m sure there are other less tangible benefits.

However, no politician is going to propose it, especially in an election year. And after they are in office only if there is a ground swell of popular opinion for it. It’s a good idea, it should happen, but it would take courage.

HENRY GANGL

APACHE JUNCTION

GUN BAN RULING

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Armories outmoded; court was right

Referring to the Supreme Court ruling on the Washington, D.C., gun ban:

By some fatal mistake the authorities had kept the arms of the city in the public armory instead of in each man’s house.

There could be no general resistance, therefore, from the houses. When the rebels gained possession of the Main Street, the armory was inaccessible to the citizens.

The above account was from a witness who survived Quantrill’s attack on Lawrence, Kan., in August 1863. More than 150 unarmed men and boys were massacred for the lack of being armed in their homes.

We must never lose the power of the gun, or the right to defend ourselves at home or away. The court got it right.

CLAYTON GARRETT

MESA

GILBERT TOWN CLERK

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Templeton deserves to stay

Gilbert Town Clerk Cathy Templeton is a heroic figure in the world of government officials.

Regardless of the outcome of any problem created by wrong petition numbers, Templeton is owed a debt of gratitude by the public for quickly pointing out the error, knowing the consequences would be antithetical to her interests.

I believe the Gilbert Town Council did the right thing in refusing to accept the resignation of Templeton.

KEN McLEOD

GILBERT

ROUNDABOUTS

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Relocate the signs

Recently, I ventured onto Loop 202 via Brown Road. I followed the signs as posted trying to get on the southbound ramp of the 202. Not a pleasant experience. Could the planners have thought of better places to put them than on the ramps for a freeway? The roundabouts are an accident waiting to happen!

KARIN DELACROIX

CHANDLER