Distorting MAX facts

Letters to the Editor: MAX; health care; dead zones

, Nov 17, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Kicking off the season of giving

To the Editor:

This is the time of year when we look around and be thankful for what we have. In doing so, it is also a time to see where others are struggling and lend a hand.

Dr. Boyd and Dr. Underwood are both endodontists who have worked in Portland for 30 years and Milwaukie for over 20 years. By donating their services to treat patients for NW Medical Teams, Dental Access Program, Multnomah County and other lower income patients in need, they have seen the effect that poverty has on their patients. Each year they give to the Creston Dental Clinic in the names of those dentists who refer to them as a thank you for their support.

As a staff, we struggled for many years as to what to do for our doctors as a gift Finally, one of our staff suggested we sponsor a family at the Salvation Army Women’s Shelter in the doctors’ names. This has been happening for five years now.

In addition to these continuing efforts, the staff has gotten together to organize a Food and Fund Drive that will continue through the holidays and AFTER. We are encouraging other dental offices, people in our communities and our patients to bring their food donations or send a check payable to Oregon Food Bank, to either of our offices: 13908 SE Stark, Suite A, Portland OR 97233 or 11082 SE Oak St., Milwaukie OR 97222. We then will be organizing a Volunteer Day, where after work or on a Saturday, a group of us will be going to the food bank to sort and box food.

These programs do not take time away from our patients. We have found that it actually strengthens the unity of the staff, our referring offices and our community. Each time we implement a new outreach program, it makes me thankful for all of the blessings in my own life.

If you would like more information on any of these programs, please contact our office at 503-659-7900 or donate to any of these causes online.

Shelly Casson

Milwaukie

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Reader comments

Re: Does Protestor believe in Freedom?

RE: D. Kent Lloyd,

My letter regarding Kurt Schrader’s support of President Obama’s health care reform was intended to add to a thoughtful discussion within our community on the pros and cons of the current health care reform bill and our Representative’s position on it.

Instead of engaging in that discussion, however, you decided to put words in my mouth, make assumptions about my beliefs you have no idea about, and channel a televangelist to make your entire point. It is sad that you can’t write a letter using your own thoughts.

Contrary to your televangelist’s assumption, I don’t think by ‘rearranging my prejudices.’ It does seem, however, that you make assumptions about me by rearranging stereotypes you hold about those who don’t share your politics. How else could you know so much about my beliefs without knowing me? By painting everyone who opposes you with the same brush you expose your own inability to see shades of opinion as well as the richness of a good, honest debate on the issues.

You are right about one thing though. I do believe in the rule of law and the representative system of government we have. That’s why I so strongly object to politicians like Kurt Schrader not respecting the role of government that is created by the Constitution. Rep Schrader has personally told me that the commerce clause allows Congress to pass bills that would imprison Americans who choose not to buy a government-approved insurance plan.

If you think through the implications of this interpretation you might realize that it leads us to a totalitarian form of government and renders our other rights meaningless. After all, the paper this letter is printed on most likely came from a different state, therefore, according to this interpretation, Rep Schrader and his colleagues should have the authority to decide what gets written on it, 1st amendment be damned!

I would encourage you to engage in honest, thoughtful debates with your neighbors instead of channeling televangelists to make assumptions about those you don’t know. As President Obama tells us, we should not jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts.