Inbox

A Healthy Debate

Re “America, the Doctor Will See You Now” [April 5]: What a historic accomplishment for President Obama and the country! Unfortunately, it was achieved without any GOP support. Republicans have redefined the GOP as a robotic cult of chronic naysayers who would rather see the country flounder than work to solve the nation’s critical problems. Are there any Republican statesmen willing to work for the public good?

Robert Tormey, ESCONDIDO, CALIF.

Americans need to understand that right now the entire uninsured population has better access to health care than many of those with insurance. Shifting to provide coverage for more people simply increases the already large number of underinsured. The true problem is access to care, which is hardest for the underinsured.

Larry Bloomstein, M.D.

MEMPHIS, TENN.

After years of caterwauling about the alleged excesses and overreaching of the Bush Administration, the mainstream media was strangely silent about Democratic machinations in passing the health care bill. The uproar would have been deafening had Republicans used the same tactics.

Andy Horvath, ELVERSON, PA.

This bill is the first step toward bringing the wealthiest nation in the world into the sphere of developed countries where health care is considered a right and not a privilege. I applaud the beginning of a movement that will reduce the number of people who die each year because they cannot afford health insurance and eliminate the hordes of Americans who become financially insolvent because of the cost of treatment.

Gary Barnes, PORTLAND, ORE.

Bring It On, Breitbart!

Re “Citizen Breitbart” [April 5]: While Andrew Breitbart’s blogging might have an audience, it doesn’t influence enough votes to have a meaningful effect. His brand of racism and homophobia may sell well among a few in this country, but the rest of us look on in disgust.

Phil Ryan, LAND O’ LAKES, FLA.

Thank goodness for outspoken conservatives like Breitbart! He has given a voice to the millions of Americans like myself forced to stand by and watch our country slowly transform into a socialist state.

Julia Lewis, DENVER

To Pump or Not to Pump

Re “Getting Pumped” [April 5]: I was shocked to read that mothers of newborn babies would prefer to express breast milk mechanically than to spend the wonderful–and much too short–time physically bonding with their babies while breast-feeding. Women who pump exclusively are missing out on one of the greatest pleasures of motherhood.

Gail M. Brecht, BAXTER, MINN.

Today many mothers of young children work outside the home. If a mom wants to continue breast-feeding after maternity leave, she has no choice but to pump milk. Going back and forth between breast and bottle often creates feeding problems, so for these moms and babies, the bottle is probably the best option.

Litzi T. Hartley

NAPERVILLE, ILL.

A Cheap Shot

Re “Cheap Thrills” [April 5]: I always laugh when I read about people performing experiments about how it is to do without. There are so many who have to do without every single day–not for the sake of some big experiment that draws readers’ attention but because they simply cannot afford the things that others take for granted. If these bloggers really want to show the world what they can do by doing without, perhaps they should donate the money they save to a worthwhile cause. That would be much more impressive than a book deal.

Amy Calvert, RIVERSIDE, WASH.

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