Carol Tritinger – 10/9/07

This page was last updated on October 15, 2007.

Speak up, Bush lovers, [sic]; Carol Tritinger; Beaver County Times; October 9, 2007.

The first time I critiqued a letter from Ms. Tritinger, she was complaining about how much was spent on inauguration ceremonies and parties. In her last letter, Ms. Tritinger lobbied to “Impeach the president,” but failed to list the crimes for which he should be impeached.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Well, hello all you Bush lovers.

“Are you ever so proud of the president one more time?

“He can spend billions of dollars to rebuild Iraq, but can’t see his way clear to help the children of the United States.

“What’s wrong with this picture?

“We can bring foreign children into the United States, give them the best doctors we have and fix them up at no cost, but not our own children. I’m glad we can help any child, but let’s start at home.

“Too bad we can’t put that wonderful Bush back in for four more years. Ha, ha.”

[RWC] Below is what I wrote in a comment I posted on the Times website in response to a similar letter.

“Why does Ms. Delanko apparently believe its OK for parents to dump their childrearing responsibilities on their neighbors?

“I’m sure it was an honest oversight, but Ms. Delanko neglected to mention President Bush is fine with reauthorizing the current SCHIP program. The current program helps with healthcare for children of the poor not poor enough (up to 200% of the federal poverty level and allows states not to count certain income) to qualify for Medicaid. Incredibly, SCHIP also covers some parents. What Mr. Bush opposes is expanding the program beyond the poor and increasing the max age for covered children beyond the current 18. The current House version would triple federal SCHIP spending to $15 billion/year and the Senate version would increase it to 2.4 times the current level.

“At one point the proposal included families of four making more than $80,000/year and increased the max age for covered children to 25. Make no mistake about it; the proposed SCHIP expansion has nothing to do with “the children” as proponents would have us believe. It’s all about gradually implementing a taxpayer-funded, government-run healthcare system for the U.S.

“While I believe President Bush should veto the SCHIP expansion, I’m disappointed in him – and all elected Republicans – for not letting the SCHIP program expire on schedule.

“Do I believe people who need help because of unforeseen circumstances should get it? Of course, but via private charities funded by voluntary contributions.”