Earned care, not ‘socialized medicine’

Quite frequently in some circles it is popular to describe VA medical care for veterans as an example of “socialized” medicine. While it is true that the federal government pays for medical support for veterans, it is not universal care. It is earned care, which is based on what is better described as a meritocracy.

Veterans merit their care because they have earned it based on an agreement veterans made with Congress. In 1980 I enlisted and served until 2008. In 1980 we were assured we were enlisting in lifetime care in response to offering to fight and if necessary die for your freedom and our country.

Socialized medicine is best described as a social entitlement which is gifted as an entitlement or human right. Veterans are not asking for a social entitlement because they are just in America, they merit earned care as promised by your and my representative government.

They merit it because, as Abraham Lincoln once said, they “have borne the battle.”

David Warren Knight, White Bear Lake

Beyond either/or

The choice of either/or has brought about an electoral attitude of disinterested, disengaged contemplation to American life as a whole, viewing it merely as a spectacle.

Thursday evening when the current president met the former, we could have learned something new, been engaged, had RFK Jr. been welcomed onto the debate stage. But CNN is the media appetizer of either/or. And I am so utterly tired of it.

The two extremes of the political parties will only contrast our nation’s true challenges with unimaginative reflection. Much like the last time the two met, more finger pointing will only fuel further anger and divisiveness.

When will our political choices at last move beyond either/or? A question I direct pointedly to CNN and the like.

Julia Bell, St. Paul

Or what?

Is the USA a great country , or what? Hard to so easily steal a quarter of a billion dollars in many other countries, including Somalia.

T. J. Sexton, St. Paul

If …

I can go along with classroom display of the 10 Commandments if posted next to a similar display of the Bill Of Rights.

I can go along with a Pledge to the Flag if it includes an oath to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States of America.

I can go along with prayer in schools if it is inclusive to the dozen or so other religions of the people.

Joe Danko, North St. Paul

Compare and contrast

I am so happy for the Phillips family who finally got to bring their baby home to Minnesota.

They had to “work for months to secure the array of U.S. and Brazilian documents needed to let him leave Brazil and enter the US.”

All this for an innocent baby, yet for the last three years, this administration has allowed undocumented people to come by thousands without any paperwork to flow across our border. Some are committing horrible crimes against our young women and attacking our police.

It is truly ridiculous and dangerous.

Patricia Boyd, St. Paul

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