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POWER TO MAKE IT WORSE

Did seniors' advocate sell out its members for drug concession?

Editor, The Times:

As a long-time (22-year) member, I'm appalled at AARP's spending millions of dollars in its campaign to support the Medicare prescription "package" cobbled up by a cabal of Republicans and two renegade Democrats ("AARP backs prescription-drug plan," Times, News, and "Back-room deal dispenses bad medicine for Medicare," E.J. Dionne syndicated column, Nov. 18).

The proposed bill (such as we know of it) is a sellout of what we seniors have been working for. Who authorized AARP to spend its members' money in this way? At no time were we asked for our opinion. Neither the membership nor Congress has had time to go over its provisions. Why the unseemly haste?

The major beneficiaries of the "package" will be the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. AARP runs its own health insurance and retail pharmacy. It was involved in back-room discussions with members of the congressional conference committee. Was there a deal entered into?
Murray Meld, Seattle

Placebo in disguise

I am ashamed to admit I am a member of AARP, just as I am ashamed of our so-called "representatives" in Congress. The latest prescription-drug bill, mindlessly presented as a solution to the drug needs of the country, particularly for the poor and elderly, is ludicrous. Wittingly or not, it is another step toward eliminating the poor and elderly in this country. It reeks of the "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you" mentality.

For example, an individual has to spend the minimum of $695 before getting to the point where they get any help at all. For many of the most needy in our society, this is impossible. On the other hand, for someone like me whose annual maintenance drug costs are less than $600, thanks to the Canadians, it represents an increase, which does little more than subsidize another group of governmental workers to administrate the system. Our political watchdogs, in cahoots with the drug companies, are working harder than ever to close those sources.

It's obvious there needs to be a multifaceted solution. First, it's undeniable that we need price controls; despite all the whining of drug companies about expenditures on R&D, they continue to spend four times as much for administrative and promotional costs. Furthermore, our drug prices continue to be higher than in other modern, developed nations.

Second, if we have to spend $695 of our own money, provide disaster insurance to cover expenditures totally once that amount is exceeded.

Last, make the amount an individual spends on prescription drugs totally deductible. Key it to income if you must, but the poorer people and the elderly should not have to pay any portion of their drug costs.
Al Chukitus, Kirkland

Dispensing without license

I and other AARP members are very disgusted with an organization we felt was an advocate for senior issues. Instead, it has caved in to forces that intend to privatize Medicare. The old saw, "The devil is in the details" must have been created for legislation like this.

As a 15-year member of AARP, I have not been contacted regarding my position on any of the provisions of this bill. In fact, I wrote AARP a few months ago voicing my concerns about many of the items in both the House and Senate versions. I never received an answer. I doubt that AARP is speaking for its members but only for an elite group that controls the organization.

This is one old geezer who has given that organization his last dollar!
Robert Theisen, Seattle

EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTION

Unequal to criticism

Tom Plate distorts my views and those of the state of Israel ("Israel and India: Exceptional, essential," syndicated column, Nov. 19).

Israel is truly an exceptional country. A nation under siege since its birth and existing in a region of dictatorships, it has maintained one of the great democracies in the world. Even our own great country, under stress of wars, has not always maintained the democratic values that characterize Israel.

What I spoke out against, and what Israel resents, is when the excuse of exceptionalism is used to justify excessive criticism of Israel.

When it is said that Israel must be held to a higher standard, it often really means that Israel is going to be judged by a double standard. Witness the repeated attempts by the United Nations General Assembly to pass blatantly one-sided, anti-Israel resolutions while giving short shrift to other pressing international conflicts and crises.
Abraham H. Foxman, national director, Anti-Defamation League, New York, N.Y.

TRADING SALVOS

Ax your self-interest

I was reading with some interest the letters by people who seemed upset by the rally Saturday outside Fort Lewis ("Fighting Moves Closer," Northwest Voices, Nov. 18). I would like to ask this question of these writers:

When did the First Amendment of the Constitution become the exclusive property of the anti-government crowd? The last time I checked, the right of self-expression was the right of all Americans, not just the ones who have an ax to grind against our government's policies.
Steven Smith, Tacoma

Folly adieu

I respond to David Glenn and Loren Nelson, staunch supporters of the Bush administration's Iraq policies ("American Drama," Northwest Voices, Nov. 19).

Glenn declares that "peace is not something you negotiate." He's happy to include "spilled blood" in the price of a jingoistic vision of American imperialism.

Nelson labels any criticism of Bush uncalled-for, excessive, hateful, overdone propaganda and mindless harping on minutia. Funny how all that became unpatriotic right after Bill Clinton left office.

We are at war because most of the people can be fooled some of the time. Next November, let's prove that we can't be fooled all of the time.
Walter Smith, Seattle

DIVERTING TIMES

Upcoming feature: Clever ways to shred paper

I find your newspaper very worthwhile, not only for news but for adding to my store of knowledge. Thanks to your energetic Features section, I've come to know about toe-nail culture; harvesting rain-gutter water; hosting yard sales; and the care and maintenance of wheelchairs. Forced to choose among the great topics presented however, I would place your article on head lice at the top of the list. Without the artist's illustration, many of your readers would likely mistake the little creatures for dandruff.

Because of growing interest in such things, I suggest future features include instructions for braising otter haunches; what to wear at pet funerals; and how to parse Urdu language.
Don Butler, Seattle

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