Letters to the Editor: Who is there for us, Iran and lawsuits

EDITOR'S NOTE: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not of Ottawa News Network.

On our side

Who is on the side of working families and concerned about improving American lives? Which party enhances the educational opportunities, wages, job security, medical conditions, safety and peace of mind of everyday people?

Historically, Republicans have championed big business, millionaires and billionaires. More worried about the Stock Market than the supermarket, Republicans have consistently fought to erode or eliminate societal accomplishments that uplift the public. Donald Trump, his rubber-stamp Republican House and Supreme Court have done nothing to enrich middle-class families or to provide them with security. Most Americans are struggling under the Trump regime. With a new war in Iran, American dollars will be drained from the U.S. treasury and military lives lost.

Where would middle-class families be today were it not for life-changing Democratic legislation? Democrats encouraged unions to create policy and benefits, including child labor laws, 40-hour work weeks, minimum wages and overtime pay, and the Family Medical Leave Act. Democratic presidents fought for senior financial and medical relief with the creation of Social Security and Medicare. Healthcare was expanded to cover more individuals with Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.

Democrats are on the side of everyday Americans. Democrats are on our side!

Bob Bird
Holland

The deal Obama made with Iran

On July 14, 2015, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was agreed upon between Iran and a group of world powers, the U.S., United Kingdom, Russia, France, China, plus Germany and the European Union. It took two years of negotiations to reach this deal.

The heart of the deal was two things: 

• The Obama Administration agreed to lift sanctions on Iran, which had devastated its economy for years.
• In return, Iran agreed to give up its nuclear capabilities and allow workers from the UN to do facility checks whenever they please.

The deal was not perfect. Trump tore up the agreement when he was elected in 2016, most likely because it had Obama's name attached to it. He promised a better deal, which he never attained.

Iran, knowing they could not trust America after that, accelerated their nuclear program.

Now we are at war with Iran, costing us billions of dollars and thousands of lives,  including over a hundred kids and teachers in that school we bombed. They would all be alive if Trump had not made the decision to start a war, breaking his chief campaign promise, along with lowering prices.

Iran thus far is winning the war by not losing, as the Vietnam War taught us. What will be the result of this costly slaughter? Trump first said Iran must surrender unconditionally. Then he said the regime must change. Then he said the Iranian nuclear program must be stopped. None of this has happened.

Now, gas is over $4 a gallon, food prices are up, and shipping from the Gulf is at a standstill.  

The treaty Obama had with Iran was not perfect, but it was far better than our present war, and I predict it will still be better than any deal Trump can make in the upcoming days. History will not be kind to President Trump.

Henry Idema
Grand Haven

Give RFK a call

I want to give a little pushback on the most recent Bill Dalton article, “Ka-ching!” Let me start by stating that I’m neither a doctor nor hold any position in the medical field. I did work with doctors, imaging technicians, and hospital administrators for a little over 38 years.

The United States is in the top five for most litigious countries in the world. We have more lawyers and lawsuits than any country in the world. Do you know what happens if your doctor doesn’t suggest that you get an EGD to check out your heartburn issues, and you show up a year later with esophageal cancer due to untreated Barrett's esophagus? Yup, you guessed it, you can run out and get yourself a lawyer, then sue him/her because not every available test was used to detect this condition. Even something as small as getting you a different cream that doesn’t have steroids in it.

Now, let us venture over to the wonderful world of medical malpractice insurance. An OB-GYN’s annual cost for insurance can exceed $200,000 a year. Even if the doctor is found not at fault, they still have to get a lawyer.

Two things I want you to know. We are both old farts for a reason, and that is doctors et al have dedicated their lives to keeping us that way. Also, if you do get an EGD, it will have nothing to do with your wazoo, but it will with your pie hole.

You can always call RFK for advice.

Bill Fey
Holland

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