Letters to the Editor

Three is a crowd

Editor: I want single payer universal health care like they have in Europe and Canada, or even what our congress has. They go to Walter Reed and never see the bill. I wonder who pays for their care? What’s good enough for them is good enough for me.
They gave themselves universal “no pay” health care a long time ago. The insurance and drug lobby didn’t prevent them from having it either. Their argument is that Canadians have to wait too long to get major procedures. Do you suppose they do that on purpose? Many doctors left for greener pastures. They have fewer doctors. However life expectancies and mortality rates in Canada are better than ours. Do they want our system? We have lots of doctors. Where would they prefer to practice? Mexico?
Our politicians want to keep the middleman, the insurance companies. What do they know about health care except that it’s profitable? 33% of the health care dollars go to paper work, paper shufflers and 200 million dollar C.E.O.s who pay 15% tax on their stock options. Eliminate the middlemen and health becomes affordable – go direct. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Single payer care eliminates the burden for all the businesses, making them more competitive, creating jobs. You care becomes portable. No more worry to find a new provider. Don’t let corporate America talk you out of it. Put the screws on all those presidential candidates. There is only room for two in health care, you and the provider.
Fred Burger

Bouverie Preserve

Editor: Bouverie Preserve is a Sonoma treasure – a nature preserve with hiking trails winding over 500 acres of beautiful and diverse terrain. I want to share my enthusiasm about serving as a docent there. Our focus is on nature education for children. Third and fourth grade classes from throughout Sonoma County come to the Preserve. Small groups are each led by a trained docent on a three hour nature hike that allows the children to explore, question, and get a better understanding of the unfolding wonders of nature. For many it is a first experience of this kind. One of the rewards for a docent is sharing with the children the pleasures of discovery, and perhaps even an “Aha!” moment.
Training classes for docents are given every two years and the next session starts August 29. The information provided by expert naturalists is fascinating, even entertaining, and soon you find yourself knowledgeable enough to confidently discuss the questions raised by the children. And you are motivated to continue learning. I consider docent training to be one of the perks of the position. Another perk is that you get to associate with a great bunch of people – the staff and docents of Bouverie Preserve. They are enthusiastic, interesting, generous individuals who find giving their time to Bouverie activities is a great way to add to the joy in their lives.
If you may want to become a docent, please visit Bouverie Preserve on August 15 for an orientation session beginning at 9 a.m. There will be docents present to answer questions and you can take a hike on the Preserve. For information or to obtain an application please call 707.938.4554 or email [email protected]. Don’t miss this opportunity to become part of a unique Sonoma community.
Robert Alwitt

Firemen’s
Water Fight

Editor: It was calculated that the amount of water used for the Vintage Festival Firemen’s Water Fight would equal three flushes per citizen of Sonoma. How about if we all only “flush when necessary?” Many of us remember the ’70’s when the adage was “If it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down!” Maybe we can save enough water to have the Water Fight after all!
Liz Strand