Bush playing games on kids’ health

The Bush administration and its supporters claim that the State Children’s Health Insurance Program bill, passed by Congress and vetoed by the president, would allow children in families with annual incomes of $83,000 to be eligible. However, the bill essentially caps the maximum eligibility level at 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or $61,800. At levels above 300 percent, states would receive a lower federal match that averages 70 percent.

Mr. Bush and his supporters are disseminating misinformation. He bases his postulation on states such as New York that have a higher cost of living than most other areas of the country.

The president asked for $190 billion more for the Iraq war in 2008. The SCHIP bill would cost an additional $35 billion over five years. That’s $7 billion per year, less than 4 percent of what we are spending in Iraq and Afghanistan. The health of our children trumps our need to stay in Iraq.

Mr. Bush’s past campaign rhetoric promised to provide health care for the children of the poor. What happened to Bush’s promise and “compassionate conservatism”?

Joe Beltran

NORTH LAS VEGAS

School assessment

To the editor:

As I sit and watch the debates back and forth over teachers and education — and find myself thankful my son is out of school — a few thoughts come to mind:

— Teachers chose their profession, understanding the pay rates and the need for continuing education. Many other fields require additional and continued education — and their practitioners bear that expense without asking for it to be paid for by tax dollars. Becoming a teacher did not come with a guarantee of paid education and special housing. The profession already features some perks the private sector can’t even hope for.

— I don’t see where merit pay could be fairly applied based on the constraints of No Child Left Behind Act and the willingness of students to achieve. Dump the act and go back to teaching basics — nobody skates, nobody graduates who can’t read or write. Political correctness and self-esteem tactics to date are turning out illiterates who feel good about themselves until they can’t land a decent job. Start turning out achievers as the norm instead of the exception. Then I believe it might be possible to recognize the truly great teachers and reward them.

— Far better screening and testing must be required of school personnel. If teachers can’t teach, they shouldn’t be there. If they can’t keep their hands off children properly, then they can’t be there either. Principals should have more control of their schools, and also be held accountable.

— Several studies already show per-dollar figures for students do not correlate to productivity and performance. Just look at Washington, D.C. Taxing the gambling industry more to throw money at a failing institution doesn’t make sense. I don’t work for gaming and I particularly detest using the phrase “pay their fair share” in campaigns designed to make somebody else pony up funds for something you want. Use the money they already have more efficiently and there’s plenty.

Years ago, when the bond issue went to the voters for a huge increase to better education, I voted it. Then we learned how the money had been misused and I didn’t vote for the second round. I won’t vote for another one until the system shows me they’ve earned it. The frenzied howl of tax and spenders that it’s “for the children” doesn’t sway me one bit.

It was never about the children — it’s about how much can they get, who they can get to pay for it and how much power they get to wield once they’ve got it.

If education wants a raise, prove to the voters the previous money was well-spent.

Cheryl Flathers

LAS VEGAS

Oil companies

To the editor:

I can’t believe the U.S. oil companies can’t compete with the $90 crude oil price. But even if we can’t compete, if gasoline prices are going to go up and up we should start producing our own oil again and tell the Middle East and South American producers to go to hell. At least we would be keeping that money in the United States.

Or do the oil companies of America make more money perpetuating the status quo? I always forget about greed at the expense of consumers.

James Altemara

LAS VEGAS

Airline woes

To the editor:

With regard to the Friday commentary by A.J. Bardach about her experience with US Airways and their treatment of Carol Anne Gotbaum:

It made we wonder once again why the family of Ms. Gotbaum allowed her to travel across the country alone. By the family’s admission, she was in very fragile health — and for her sake she should not have been traveling by herself. From the stories I have read about this situation, the family could have afforded to have someone escort Ms. Gotbaum to rehab.

As Ms. Bardach points out in her article, airline travel nowadays is not for the weak of heart, body or soul.

Elizabeth Jacobs

LAS VEGAS