Letters to the Editor May 2010 AARP Bulletin
Letters to the Editor May 2010 - AARP Bulletin
Edwyna (Fong) Spiegel
Seattle The rail thing Kudos for the fine article “,” which highlighted the growing interest in streetcar technology. Although many cities—including my home state capital, Boise—were not successful in the most recent round of federal funding for streetcar development, it is encouraging to finally see an administration that gets multimodal transportation and puts streetcars on a level playing field with roads and highways.
Jon Cecil
Meridian, Idaho
I take issue with the statement that the streetcars in Washington, D.C., were “dirty, noisy and unreliable.” I was a D.C. resident from 1942 to 1972. I rode the streetcars every day from 1942 until their demise, both to school and to work. They were very quiet and extremely reliable. They were as clean to ride in as buses. Getting rid of the streetcars in D.C. was one of the dumbest things ever to happen in the city.
W.G. Walters
Chandler, Ariz. Health care overhaul “Health Reform’s ‘Joe Friday’ Moment” [Editor’s Letter] bemoans the “unwillingness of Democrats and Republicans to find common ground,” and goes on to describe the new law, enacted with no Republican support, as close to plans proposed by Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. Democrats wanted a universal plan, a single payer plan, or at the least a public option in the plan. They enacted a Republican plan. I’d call that bending over backward to find common ground.
Jane Dodd
McKinney, Texas Helpful resource Having received the AARP Bulletin for years, I continue to cherish the information that is packed into each issue. I cut out whatever is of interest and file it to use as a resource. This information would be difficult to locate “in a pinch,” but my ongoing file is a never-ending source of useful information as I need it. Thanks for the ongoing wealth of content that you pack into each issue.
Carol Milardo Floriani
Easley, S.C. We appreciate hearing from you. Write to: Bulletin Editor, Dept. RF, 601 E St. N.W., Washington, DC 20049; or e-mail to: . Please include your address and phone number. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Letters to the Editor May 2010
Family and finances I thoroughly agree with steps 1 through 11 in “” [April], but I strongly disagree with the sentiment behind No. 12, in which Jane Bryant Quinn writes: “Move in with your kids—the last resort if all else fails. That should be motivation enough to get moving on your own plan for financial success.” I teach English as a second language, and most of my little students are from Asia. They often write stories about how Grandma and/or Grandpa, living with them, had “so much fun” doing something or other. Others write of the sadness of being separated from their grandparents by continents and oceans. My grown daughters have invited me to live with them when the appropriate time arrives. They have let me know financial support will be available. (I did mention I am a teacher, correct?!) In this multicultural world, I find Ms. Quinn is overlooking the millions of families who would consider it an honor that their parents would live with them. To all of us, and all of them, blessed are we to be respected and loved.Edwyna (Fong) Spiegel
Seattle The rail thing Kudos for the fine article “,” which highlighted the growing interest in streetcar technology. Although many cities—including my home state capital, Boise—were not successful in the most recent round of federal funding for streetcar development, it is encouraging to finally see an administration that gets multimodal transportation and puts streetcars on a level playing field with roads and highways.
Jon Cecil
Meridian, Idaho
I take issue with the statement that the streetcars in Washington, D.C., were “dirty, noisy and unreliable.” I was a D.C. resident from 1942 to 1972. I rode the streetcars every day from 1942 until their demise, both to school and to work. They were very quiet and extremely reliable. They were as clean to ride in as buses. Getting rid of the streetcars in D.C. was one of the dumbest things ever to happen in the city.
W.G. Walters
Chandler, Ariz. Health care overhaul “Health Reform’s ‘Joe Friday’ Moment” [Editor’s Letter] bemoans the “unwillingness of Democrats and Republicans to find common ground,” and goes on to describe the new law, enacted with no Republican support, as close to plans proposed by Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. Democrats wanted a universal plan, a single payer plan, or at the least a public option in the plan. They enacted a Republican plan. I’d call that bending over backward to find common ground.
Jane Dodd
McKinney, Texas Helpful resource Having received the AARP Bulletin for years, I continue to cherish the information that is packed into each issue. I cut out whatever is of interest and file it to use as a resource. This information would be difficult to locate “in a pinch,” but my ongoing file is a never-ending source of useful information as I need it. Thanks for the ongoing wealth of content that you pack into each issue.
Carol Milardo Floriani
Easley, S.C. We appreciate hearing from you. Write to: Bulletin Editor, Dept. RF, 601 E St. N.W., Washington, DC 20049; or e-mail to: . Please include your address and phone number. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures