Letters to the Editor
While I agree with Michael D. Tanner ("Medicare scares are a bipartisan pastime," Thursday) that both Democrats and Republicans are foolishly avoiding the very real problem of the need to reduce Medicare costs, I question his confidence that seniors will make the best decisions for themselves.
Seniors may need help with decisions
While I agree with Michael D. Tanner ("Medicare scares are a bipartisan pastime," Thursday) that both Democrats and Republicans are foolishly avoiding the very real problem of the need to reduce Medicare costs, I question his confidence that seniors will make the best decisions for themselves.
Often, the older we get, the more difficulty we have handling financial business. I recently discovered that my physically healthy, 85-year-old neighbor got angry over his auto insurance bill, tried to call the company, but couldn't handle the prerecorded directions, and just stopped paying.
He still drove, and it was only because I noticed that his car was not inspected that I found out he was not insured. When questioned, he was adamant that no one had the right to tell him he has to have auto insurance. He has also stopped paying doctors' and hospital bills, and city taxes.
Tanner does not want a government board to make decisions for seniors, but in reality many seniors need someone to help them and even to make decisions for them.
Marj Rosenblum
Philadelphia
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Two ladies find kindness at Macy's
Recently, my mom and a friend decided to do some shopping at Macy's in Center City. My mom is 96 and visually impaired. Her friend is 97 and can hardly walk. Both are fiercely independent and needed to purchase several items.
From the minute they entered the store, they were greeted by courteous and helpful employees. The consultant at the Estee Lauder counter ended the transaction by kissing and hugging my mom. The salesperson in the linen department insisted on walking them out of the store, and even helped them get a taxi to take them home.
They can't wait to return to Macy's for more shopping and more kindness.
Thank you, Macy's.
Phyllis Seligsohn
Philadelphia
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City should abandon tax abatement
In looking for ways to improve the city's finances ("Nutter: 'We must have new dollars on the table'," Wednesday), has Mayor Nutter given any thought to discontinuing the 10-year tax abatement on the new construction of homes in Philadelphia?
Nutter gave residents a choice to give the School District extra funds: a rise in real estate taxes vs. a tax on soda. Why not abandon the 10-year tax abatement?
I did some research and found a location with 56 townhomes (new construction) paying an average of $350 per home per year. Had these 56 homeowners paid their "correct" taxes (approximately $3,000 per year), the city would have collected $168,000 a year instead of $19,600.
There are many such areas in Philadelphia.
Diane O'Leary
Lansdale
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Process words before speaking
AFL-CIO International Vice President Christopher M. Shelton called Gov. Christie "Adolf Christie" in a speech in front of the New Jersey State House Annex in Trenton ("Union leader apologizes for Hitler remark at rally," Thursday).
Even if it was a slip of the tongue, once the words came out of Shelton's mouth, it was already too late for an apology. The damage had been done. This is one more case of a person's failing to process his words in his brain before they exit his mouth. Shelton should realize that slander won't get him anywhere.
David M. Levin
Vineland
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Philadelphia's own bridge to nowhere
While Jane Winkel is thoughtfully planting the tops of bus stops ("A tiny step forward for green roofs in Philadelphia," Wednesday), the city is thoughtlessly marking mature trees in Schuylkill River Park for cutting to make way for a $5.8 million expanse of concrete to settle a dispute with CSX to transport folks safely across the railroad tracks at the base of Locust, Spruce, and Delancey Streets leading to the River Walk.
In the four or five years that the River Walk has been open, there has not been one death brought about by folks' unsafely crossing the tracks without a bridge, or without crossing gates (currently under construction). The architectural firm responsible for the bridge's design estimates that approximately 5 percent of the pedestrians or cyclists using the River Walk will enter and exit from the bridge.
In other words, we have our own bridge to nowhere.
Pat Harner
Philadelphia
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Subscribers pay for IBC's 'generosity'
A letter Tuesday ("Blue Cross' stability benefits community") offered an interesting point of view on how Independence Blue Cross' enormous 2010 profits enabled it to generously support people and programs in the region.
Excuse me, but IBC's "contributions" are made on the backs of its subscribers, who are facing huge premium increases with no relief in sight. If IBC gave this excess back to its customers, there might not be as many uninsured or under-insured people.
Leslie Lebofsky
Ambler
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Awkward better than unprincipled
We should elect politicians based on their character, experience, and policies. Even granting Dana Milbank's petty complaints about Mitt Romney's social awkwardness ("Romney's awkward ascent," Thursday), I'd rather have an awkward, principled leader than a popular, unprincipled one.
Examples of the latter abound.
Andy Horvath
Elverson