Heidi M. Souza – 9/15/06

This page was last updated on September 15, 2006.

It’s only going to get worse; Heidi M. Souza; Beaver County Times; September 15, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“In response to the Sept. 5 editorial on poverty:

“These appear so often, without causes nor solutions stated. While unforeseen hardships can occur, I think that this is a matter of personal, parental and political responsibility and choices.

“Editorials always cite a family of four. When a couple realizes that the cost of having one child is difficult, why do they choose to have another? Nine times out of 10, these families also choose to have pets to feed and care for as well.

“Parents and schools should teach individuals at an early age the general cost of living a decent life, the financial sacrifices of raising children and the importance of saving for retirement - starting with their first sound employment.

[RWC] Up through this paragraph, Ms. Souza “gets it.”

“Finally, the political engine needs to administer controls on health-care-related companies, not just for the seniors but for middle-aged, lower- to middle-class families. If you think about it, we pay for all of the lawmakers’ health care, and they’re fully covered.”

[RWC] Ms. Souza runs off the tracks with her position that “the political engine needs to administer controls on health-care-related companies.” The “political engine” needs to get government out of the healthcare market, not increase its interference.

“Politicians talk about reform at election time, while at the same time taking their campaign contributions from health-care and drug companies. Then, magically, they forget about us when the votes are tallied.

“I’m tired of paying for poor choices of individuals and lame political promises. Aren’t you? What is the solution? It is only going to get worse.”

[RWC] Take out two paragraphs, and Ms. Souza wrote a nice letter.