Thank you

Family appreciates support in time of need

The family of Irene Hagen would like to thank everyone for all the cards, letters and thoughts expressed over her loss. A special thanks goes out to the Staff at Martha & Mary. Although the loss runs deep, the kindness shown by all has made it much easier. Thank you from Earl Hagen and all the family.

Tonya McCarty

Reader feedback

Why can’t we afford universal health care?

Mr. Hamilton just dug himself a deeper hole trying to explain the abstract notion of “right” in connection with health care. It would have been smarter for him to just write: Look, I’m a social Darwinist. Food, shelter, clothing and health care is each achieved as a result of personal effort and is realized in direct relationship to that effort. Period.

Right is relative, so is good and bad, and beautiful and ugly, and justice and other abstract notions. Anyway, right is culturally relative. In most countries in Europe food, shelter, clothing, health care and education are basic rights and paid for by the government. We have the right to bear arms, while most citizens of many countries do not. We eat pork, Muslims and Jews don’t. We subscribe to laissez-faire, Europe doesn’t. Who has the claim to be “right” in hundreds of controversial issues and traditions?

Many disputed issues should probably not be looked upon in terms of right but in terms of practical. The Age of Enlightment philosopher Immanuel Kant wrote that it is practical to believe in God, he called this Practical Postulate. I would suggest Mr. Hamilton that it would be equally practical for a country to take care of its people for political and economic reasons. He asks “who pays the price for health care?” We all do. As we pay for the education of children we do not have, and the bridges we do not use and the wars we do not support. If Europe and Japan can afford universal health care, why can’t we?

James Behrend

Bainbridge

Last week’s cartoon was over the line

Freedom of the Press is vital to our country, and editorial cartoonists enjoy that freedom. But there are limits. The cartoon in the Herald’s May 22 edition went beyond that limit. Is cartoonist Shiers implying that there are local citizens who are so dissatisfied with President Obama’s policies that they are preparing to take the law into their own hands? To mount a rebellion? A more serious worry is that some elements of our population might interpret the cartoon as an invitation to assassination. I believe Mr. Shiers, and you, owe the law abiding majority an apology.

Robert W. Maule

Poulsbo

County politics

Take off the rose-colored glasses

When will the county commissioners take off their rose-colored glasses and understand that debt is debt? The county’s administrative budget is in the red with its continued deficit spending exemplified by the original financial support of building condos in Bremerton.

The newly elected commissioners are oblivious to voters’ desire for fewer taxes and decided the county’s current financial crisis is acceptable as they acquire an added $40 million dollars of indebtedness.

Restructuring approximately $60 million dollars of debt is still debt. When will this foolishness stop?

Commissioners constantly talk about financial responsibility but their actions leave a lot to be desired.

For example, as if the current deficit spending is not enough, Josh Brown continues to promote a new YMCA in Silverdale. It’s a myopic vision with no sustainable or viable financial support, other than speculation similar to the vision which created Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority’s current financial crisis.

The Kitsap Family YMCA is not busting its seams with membership. The Bremerton Tennis and Athletic

club is advertising for membership. Where is this major demand for a Silverdale YMCA? If there is a demand for another YMCA, then provide the financial numbers and allow Silverdale voters to decide for or against additional indebtedness.

Dean Jenniges

Bremerton

City Hall

Sorry about that

I wish to retract some incorrect voting information I have given some people.

Ballots will be mailed, voter’s pamphlets will not.

I apologize for my mistake.

Muriel Williams

Poulsbo