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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Featured Galleries: September 1, 2007 Letters: At length Letter Submissions Letters should be e-mailed in text-only format to [email protected] . Please include your address and a daytime phone number where you can be reached for confirmation. Letters are limited to 250 words. At Length submissions are limited to 400 words. Submissions may be edited for length, content and clarity. The Tidings gives priority to letters on local and regional topics of current interest. It seeks to encourage thoughtful, well-reasoned leters and to discourage personal attacks, repetitive messages and personal disputes. Form letters are not published in the Tidings, nor are letters identified as having been published in other publications. What Labor Day Means To Me The observance of Labor Day began over 100 years ago. It was originally conceived by labor unions to bring attention to their cause and was eventually recognized by Congress and sanctioned as a national holiday. Although its focus is no longer necessarily fixated on the plight of workers, it's important to remember that many working people are still struggling to improve their wages, benefits and working conditions. Working people have made great strides over the years, bringing us the eight-hour day, 40-hour week, health and safety standards, social security, the Family Medical Leave Act and numerous other benefits we enjoy today. My union, SEIU Local 503, in conjunction with other labor and community groups, has worked diligently to improve the lives of all workers in Oregon. Workers played a significant role in passing the Oregon Prescription Drug Purchasing Pool (OPDP). All Oregonians that are under-insured for prescription drug coverage can enroll and receive a discount on their prescriptions. People without health insurance, or even those with insurance, that could use help paying for their prescriptions can benefit from this program. Those already enrolled in the OPDP are experiencing a 42 percent average savings, according to the ODPD website. With the rising costs of health care, this kind of legislation is an important step in reducing those costs. Increases in health care continue to be shifted onto the backs of workers who can least afford it. Everyone needs and deserves health care for themselves and their families, whether it's employer-based or through health care reform. Quality, affordable health care for all is a right we will continue fighting to achieve. Everyday I read about situations where workers are being exploited. In our hospitals, nursing homes and mental health facilities, workers are forced to work mandatory overtime due to inadequate staffing levels. In many cases, even when all scheduled staff shows up, there are still too few workers to provide the level of care our sick, elderly and disabled population need and deserve. This legislative session organized workers lobbied legislators and testified before hearing committees to help push through legislation that will protect thousands of Oregon citizens from predatory lenders charging extraordinarily high interest rates associated with car title and payday loans. Whether it's securing the eight-hour workday, better safety standards, social security, FMLA, or a myriad of other benefits that enhance our working lives, labor will continue to push for changes that better our communities and improve the lives of all working families. Let's celebrate this Labor Day by acknowledging working people and our many accomplishments over the last 100 years, but also recognize that there is still much work yet to be done. Sophia Smolen Ashland Stick with the rules of debate Freedom of speech is a wondrous thing; the very essence of democracy. I'm glad I could express my thoughts about "Death with Dignity." I'm glad, too, that another writer cared enough to share her opposing views. The first rule of debate, however, is: "Stick to the issue." Never dilute or debase the encounter by personal "hits" which question the motive, character, or intelligence of the opponent. Says the rebuttal statement: "Screaming in excruciating pain isn't necessary in this day and age." Oh, if only that were universally true. And so I ask: 1) Are there hospices and nurses enough (today's shortages notwithstanding) to care for each and every terminally-ill, needy patient in America? 2) Does every hospital provide state-of-the-art medicine to control all agony of all terminally-ill patients, making them as comfortable as possible? 3) Does every eligible patient automatically receive immediate help? In the nine nursing homes and two hospitals, in five states where I've nursed — read my book "The Patient Comes First" for the shock-of-your-life answer to all those questions. We talk of "no child left behind." How about all those others left behind? I'll listen thoughtfully to the views of others when they have researched thoroughly and stick to established rules of debate. But not when — with judgmental attitudes — people attempt to decide who cares and who does not care, or who does and who does not understand "true dignity." With freedom of speech comes responsibility. I uphold my case, as stated, consistent with the thinking of countless Oregon voters. Nancy Littell Fox Ashland Current Comments: Nancy, i notice that you didn't bother to address the issues that your opponents actually raised. Just saying "i uphold my case" is empty. In addition, the way in which our elderly are ill-cared isn't support for Physician-Assisted Suicide. It's support for putting more effort and resources into treating the elderly with the care and love they deserve. Drew Hymer - Medford, OR - September 2nd, 7:31 AM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us