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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 May 11, 2006 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GOP fails the disabled, needy I know a young man who has bi-polar disorder, autism, and mental retardation. He needs several medications twice a day to deal with his disabilities and have some sort of a life. After food and shelter, he only has about $30 monthly to spend on everything else including “frills” like clothing, toothpaste... and his medications. They used to be taken care of. Now he has to pay $19 in “co-pays” for his drugs each month. In addition, the Medicare Drug Plan only allows for a 30-day supply, not a one-month supply. So seven months out of the year, his bubble packs are one day short. What is he supposed to do? Go without his medications, go berserk, and wind up on the hospital’s psychiatric unit? This Republican boondoggle is just another huge gift to the corporations — in this case, the ones that make drugs and sell insurance. Eligible seniors with no current drug expenses are forced to pay for a service they may never use. And the companies can change the drugs they will pay for any time they want, but if you don’t like what they do, you can only switch companies once a year. If you have a loved one who is eligible for this plan but who has not yet signed up, they are about to get slapped with a penalty if they don’t do it by May 15. If you feel, as I do, that this whole thing is perfectly outrageous, call your Senators and your Congressional representative today, and let them know how you feel. Nick Tennant Ashland State super is innovative leader Last week Phoenix Elementary was one of a handful of schools recognized at a large annual Portland banquet for its work in closing the achievement gap between poor and minority students and their white, upper class peers. The banquet and surrounding conference are the brainchild of State Superintendent Susan Castillo. Through highlighting the work of schools like Phoenix, Susan demonstrates: 1. that amazing things can and are being done in our schools, 2. the importance of recognizing our talented, hardworking educators, 3. and that by sharing best practices we can all better meet the needs of our students. I fully support Susan continuing as state superintendent. Pamela Joy Ashland Charter above common man In April 18 Mail Tribune article, Joe Charter said, “I think for diversity reasons, we should have another woman on the bench.” Wow. Not because she’s an intelligent, capable woman that is supported, obviously by other judges and attorneys, but because it would be good to have another women on the bench. Then he says he’s “found he enjoys hearing traffic cases and having “contact with common people.” Common People? What category does this person put himself in? This elitist perception by some of our community’s leaders astounds me. Hope Ashland is taking note. You’ve been labeled another name ... common. I’d think before I voted for anyone that thinks he’s above the “common people.” Signe Wilson Medford Elected leaders get away with it It’s time to question the REAL lawbreakers. Everyday people get jail terms or fines for crimes not amounting to a hill a beans compared to our elected leaders in Washington. WHEN will they be held accountable? WHEN?! Paul Yahara Ashland Pro-Israel lobby has influence Congratulations to the Tidings for opening its opinion pages to Alexander Cockburn’s trenchant commentary (May 5) on the pro-Israel lobby. With the door now opened a crack on a subject long suppressed by the mainstream media, let us hope that this article and others like it mark the beginning of a national debate on Israel’s influence on U.S. foreign policy. Returning our media to a thorough and balanced airing of controversial subjects is our best hope for understanding both sides of an issue, and thus our best hope for peace. Isaac Walker Ashland The Tidings gives priority to letters on local and regional topics of current interest. It seeks to encourage thoughtful, well-reasoned letters 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. 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