'Cal Thomas made my skin crawl'

Re "Secularists want God removed from our decisions about death" (Viewpoints, Aug. 14): The opinion piece by Cal Thomas made my skin crawl.

His assertion that "you probably think health care should be rationed" if you consider humans to be a product of evolution is patently absurd. Thomas espouses the view that if one does not believe that God made humans, one does not have a moral compass that values human life. This is abhorrent and an insult to religious people who consider evolution to be a scientific fact, as well as to nonbelievers.

Thomas seems to think that the government should not be part of the solution to the health crisis because it will play god with human lives. He must not be bothered by the rationing going on now that involves lack of affordability, denial of insurance for pre-existing conditions, and limitations on drugs and doctors by insurance companies. I have not noticed that these are problems with Medicare.

I guess that all will be solved if we place "In God We Trust" on all our public buildings.

– John Herrman, Placerville

End-of-life counseling is OK

Re "Secularists want God removed from our decisions about death" (Viewpoints, Aug. 14): The logical flaws in Cal Thomas' article are too numerous to cover. He accuses those on the "secular left" of wanting to snuff people out. Counseling people about end-of-life care is not the same as snuffing them out. And not all those who support health reform are secularists.

Moreover, Thomas seems to conveniently forget all of the killing done by religious people, often in God's name.

I am a secular humanist – with an emphasis on the word "humanist." We humanists believe in the golden rule and what we call the basic moral decencies: tolerance, kindness, etc. We also believe in using reason to solve life's problems.

No one has the right to snuff me out. But neither does anyone have the right to tell me I must live in a persistent vegetative state. Letting me choose – while I still can – seems both reasonable and kind.

– Liz Purcell, Sacramento

Too many teachers? No kidding

Re "Teacher layoffs feed competition to be a substitute" (Our Region, Aug. 14): Your story left out some key facts. The market for substitute teachers has been exacerbated for at least five years by the ranks of newly credentialed teachers who bought into the mistaken belief that there is a shortage of teachers in California, even in math, science and special education.

It is refreshing to see that for the first time, The Bee has noted that there are too many teachers for the available jobs instead of the normal drivel in the past that there are too few. Any school district can tell you that for each job opening, there have been anywhere between 100 and 200 applicants.

– Sharon Quinsland, El Dorado Hills

Iraq refugees struggle locally

Re "Iraqi refugees in U.S. find peace – and pain" (Page A7, Aug. 13): The Bee could have reported on the Iraqi refugees in Sacramento. For the past year, Iraqi families have been arriving on a weekly basis.

The majority are well-educated and have held lucrative jobs in Iraq. They left their country fearing for their lives, thanks to the chaotic and unsafe state of existence the American occupation created since the illegal invasion of March 2003. Not to forget the financial hardship and loss in lives resulting from the genocidal sanctions imposed on the country for more than 10 years prior to that.

Fast-forward to the present. Iraqi refugees in Sacramento are living below poverty levels. The cash assistance given is barely sufficient to pay the rent in the dismal living quarters assigned to them. True, health care, minus dental and vision, are offered through Medi-Cal. Those who are sick and need medical care speak of the inefficiency, misdiagnoses, wrong prescriptions, etc. Job-hunting is very frustrating given the weak economy and high rate of unemployment.

It is about time for the United States to learn not to invade countries and destroy the status quo and peace of the people. Maybe then we wouldn't have refugees here.

– Samira Al-Qazzaz, Carmichael

Can't you see this is different?

Every year, we give hundreds of billions of dollars to corporate America. We subsidize the food industry, airlines, oil companies, railroads, auto companies, utilities and defense contractors. We just spent trillions paying off the gambling debts of the banking-investment industry. We give huge tax breaks to the rich and no-bid contracts to favored companies. We have spent trillions on pointless yet never-ending wars. We spend hundreds of billions buying the friendship of foreign governments. Yet you sit on your hands and say, "Yup, that's how government works."

Now, with health care, for the first time in decades, the government is trying to do something for you, something that just might, if successful, make the lives of your families better. Instead of supporting it, you are out in the streets, screaming against any change.

I understand being angry with government for all the things above, but this is something that could, perhaps, actually benefit you.

Here's a suggestion. If you don't like the public option, if you really think the government is coming for your granny, don't sign up for the program. You are also welcome to refuse Medicare and Social Security payments if you like.

– Clifford Lanxner, Applegate