Letters: A different viewpoint on one year of gay marriage
MATTITUCK
It would have failed
Here’s a different viewpoint in response to your July 26 editorial, “The World Didn’t End” about gay marriage.
We say God must have other plans because those critical of gay marriage are still here.
Let’s be honest, if the people of New York State had been allowed to vote on allowing gay marriage to be equal to traditional marriages between one man and one woman, New Yorkers would have followed liberal California in voting it down.
The reason it became law in New York State is money talks, pressure was brought and our representatives voted behind closed doors.
As a Christian and a Catholic and most of all as an American, I feel betrayed.
Now the question becomes what’s next?
Jack McGreevy
MATTITUCK
Playing with poison
Since our winter was so mild, the bug population is at an all-time high. They’re certainly annoying and the mosquitoes and ticks can cause health issues.
In the July 26 legal notices in The Suffolk Times I read about pesticides being sprayed in Orient to help reduce the bug population from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2012. This caused me great concern and prompted me to conduct research on the list of pesticides being used.
In the event of exposure to Altosid briquets, first aid measures will be required. If you Google Altosid you’d be shocked at the health contraindications as it relates to contamination of the eyes, skin, lungs or ingestion, all of which require a physician’s attention.
Not to mention if an accidental release occurs; as a warning says, “Do not allow spill to enter waterway inhabited by aquatic organisms.”
Scourge is “ecologically … harmful to trout, shrimp and other marine life.” Its label warns, “This product is toxic to fish and birds. Do not apply to lakes, streams or ponds.”
This prompts me to ask the question: If spraying is being conducted, how can the spray be prevented from going into our waterways, not to mention our backyards?
In researching VectoLex G and CG, I looked for the ingredient name, but the safety sheet stated: “Identity withheld as a trade secret.”
What? We’re being sprayed with a “trade secret”? Is the cure for being exposed to such chemicals a “trade secret” too?
Is it any wonder Long Island has a high rate of breast cancer? Do we not have other options in dealing with the use of pesticides?
Why do our children suffer with major health issues more now than ever? Why are our cats and dogs dying of cancer?
Why are we dealing with health issues that, in many cases, are rare with no cure and no understanding of how the disease manifests itself? Could it be as a result of these chemicals?
If we took an alternative approach to keeping the insect population down, especially mosquitoes and ticks, we might still accomplish the goal. Isn’t this worth considering before polluting our environment and causing health issues?
As guardians of this planet, we owe it to ourselves to be observant and vigilant in how we are exposed to chemicals that have an adverse impact on our families, pets and environment. Perhaps reaching out to the EPA and DEC is a good place to start.
Marie Domenici
LAUREL
Thanks for support in time of need
I recently lost my wife, Margaret, after a brave battle with cancer. She was the love of my life for 70 years; I never thought there would be a day I would live without my beloved.
I fully understand how blessed we were to be together for 70 years and to be able to enjoy our family and friends well into our late 80s.
Death is never easy, and as much as I thought I would handle every detail, there are people I need to thank and express appreciation for.
First, East End Hospice, which was amazing in handling Margaret’s transition, as well as educating my girls and me on what to expect and supporting us as we all dealt with the last precious moments we had. They were supportive and loving and I don’t think we would have been able to be ready for what happened without them.
Secondly, Karen and Mark Heppner from Coster-Heppner Funeral Home, who are without a doubt the two most professional, kind, caring and respectful people I have ever done business with. They made our darkest hour a little brighter with their kind words and loving support.
Finally, the Town of Riverhead Police Department, mainly Sgt. Egan, Officer Cavanagh, Officer Carey and the whole COPE unit, who were there to facilitate the funeral procession from Cutchogue to Calverton more smoothly, allowing us to be together with dignity and respect. They gave my Maggie a send-off she would be honored and proud of.
So on behalf of our daughters, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren, thank you to all of you for making our time of need a little easier.
Alphons Westee Jr.
SOUTHOLD
That’s the problem
Recent writers have essentially said “government good, business bad!” Those who read Orwell’s “Animal Farm” may be reminded of the slogan, “Four legs good, two legs bad.”
A recent federal estimate said Medicaid and Medicare payment errors hit $36 billion and $48 billion, respectively, in 2011. Government recovered $4.1 billion in health-care fraud.
The government’s solution? Hire a business, HMS Holdings, which also contracts with states (17 for Medicare and 14 for Medicaid). Governments realized they needed help from the “bad sector.”
Locally, Nassau County is near default and it turned to a private company to run its bus system after years of transit deficits. Again, “bad business” is needed to save the bus riders.
American business success is firmly built on competition; the continual effort to sell services and products for less by cutting costs and continual improvement. Is there anyone who can show me an instance of this in government?
What has happened to the U.S. Postal Service since FedEx and UPS began to compete? The postal service has to struggle to avoid bankruptcy and appear competitive. Change is nearly impossible under union and civil service rules.
Government also regulates behavior via policing and rules.
For 10 years Harry Markopolos’ complaints to the SEC that Bernie Madoff was running a Ponzi scam received no action. Now we learn the auditors were on the premises of PFG Inc., a commodity broker, for two years and didn’t realize $200 million of customer funds did not exist.
The missing funds have not been found, nor have charges been filed. No charges have been filed more than four years after the U.S. economic disaster. The statute of limitations expires next year. Is that government protecting the public, or itself and its own?
Now government wants more responsibility, like a teenager demanding keys to the car after frequent tickets and accidents. Should we give up the “keys”?
President Ronald Reagan said, “Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.”
Gunther Geiss
AQUEBOGUE
Undecided?
Just vote Republican
As we all know, there are those of us who are staunch Republicans or totally loyal Democrats. People choose the party lines, regardless of the ultimate results.
Many people are undecided. In order to guide those of you who are questioning whether we are going in the right direction? The answer is a resounding “NO!” If you wish runaway inflation, higher taxes, municipal layoffs while salaries stay the same, or in many cases these days just fade away. If you wish to continue this trend, it is easy. Just vote in the present failed administration.
Regardless of our political affiliation, the time has come to employ our common sense. We need lower fuel prices and lower food prices, coupled with a realistic increase in the value of dollars we spend.
We need affordable health care, however, not this ridiculous plan this present administration has concocted. As usual, the working American pays for the rich and the poor. What else is new?
The real solution to this dilemma is simple. Cost of pharmacy should be much less, medical malpractice limited to gross negligence and redundant testing limited. These items I just mentioned will save millions in real numbers.
Since the Supreme Court dubbed health care a tax, let’s do it right. A graduating tax just like Social Security would be exacted based on one’s individual income. This would be paid through the working years of the individual. If he or she were laid off for awhile, this person would keep his or her individual care. As far back as I can remember, people were in some cases afraid to change employment. The reason would have been the fact that they would lose their health insurance. Under this plan, they would keep their standard package. I must point out, these thoughts are just highlights. Many other factors go into the final equation. Something like this is far better than “Obamacare.”
All things considered, we must open our minds and hearts. It is time for changes. I urge you to consider Romney for president, Long for Senate and Altschuler for Congress. They will work tirelessly for you.
Frederick Rodgers
