Health Note
Re: “A Friend Indeed,” by Scott Harrell (Sept. 8-14)
I don't write too many "letters to the editor" but …
I was introduced to George Harris about 15 years ago at Dan Smith's recording studio, where I was making my first album. I didn't know how lucky I was to play with George, Ray and Danny for six or seven years. Not only do they make my songs sound better than they are, they're good human beings.
Although people's minds are occupied now with storms and stuff, storms will go away but the health care issue will not. Next weekend, another 1,000 benefits will be held around the country to try to put a band-aid on the bleeding of artists, musicians and other creative types. And another 1,000 the weekend after that.
Help convince the local government and business community that's all hot over "the art$" that musicians and artists cannot do what makes them a valuable resource to our community without access to health insurance. How many artists and musicians would quit their day jobs if they could make a living with their art and still have health insurance? How many are working day jobs to provide insurance for their families?
Cities that are serious about their cultural resources — Memphis, Seattle, Boston and New Orleans to name a few— are developing health care and insurance programs in collaboration with corporate donors, insurance companies and medical schools. The city of Memphis provides access to free or reduced health care coverage for any resident making 51 percent of their living playing music. New Orleans hooked up with LSU's medical school to provide at least some access to direct health care services.
Perhaps the city or even county arts council could be instrumental in presenting an initiative to be funded by local industries (or Big Pharm dollars!!), that gives creative industry workers the freedom to do what they do best, and the incentive to bring their talents and creativity to our community.
Let's help George today. And tomorrow, write a letter to the editor, or to the mayor, or Paul Wilborn, or whoever you think can make this happen.
The city is putting resources into affordable housing for artists, which is a fine thing. I submit that artists haven't ever had much trouble finding cheap housing (and fixing it up then moving on when property values rise), but I have heard "If I could get health insurance, I could afford housing" from more than one musician. Providing access to health insurance and creating venues are basic needs perhaps being overlooked by those who have the power to make the difference.
Maggie Council Dipietra
WMNF-88.5 FM.
Attention!
Re: “Lockdown,” by Kelly Benjamin (Sept. 8-14)
This article confirms our worst fears of the present and future state of our civil rights. Where is the outrage? Why do I still have to argue with people like my parents who claim that "some rights have to take a back seat to protect our country …"? The account of Mr. Benjamin's experience and everyone else who was held needs national attention. What steps are being taken to get the exposure it needs? What can I do to help spread the truth: The people of the United States of America have been overtaken by a criminal, religious-fanatical, terrorist (definition: someone who benefits by manifesting fear and terror), elitist group of people. They were not democratically elected. They have continued to take illegal and unsupported actions to benefit personally. They are not even an "administration," as they are not defending or even abiding by the law of the land: the Constitution. Please continue to publish this kind of information.
Lori Sacco
Via e-mail
Truth Patrol
Re: “Move to Cuba,” in Letters, by Arthur M. Richard (Sept. 8-14)
I can't answer all of the accusations in this letter. However, I can shed some light on one thing. Being the intelligent people that they are, most of your readers probably know this, but for those who don't (or have forgotten): The reason U.S. citizens have (possibly) the highest standard of living in the world, is not only because of our capitalist system. It is also because we deprived Native Americans of a land that was ultra-productive (due to the fact that it had not yet been exploited). Yes, I am also a U.S. citizen and I definitely do not feel better off than I did four years ago.
Larry M. Walters
Tampa
As Arthur M. Richard was calling John F. Sugg, and the whole of the Democratic Party, dishonest, I thought he would appreciate being corrected. The U.S.A. does not "have the highest standard of living in the world," but ranks eighth, after Norway, Sweden, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium and Iceland.
While the U.S.A.'s mean wealth is the highest in the world, its median wealth is considerably lower. The U.S.A. also has more people living below the poverty line than 26 other nations.
The U.S.A.'s performance in health care is one of the worst among developed nations, with poor life expectancy and high infant mortality rates. Every country that ranks above the U.S.A. in standard of living has socialized health care. The U.S.A. also differs in its crime rate, especially violent crimes, which are vastly higher than any other country of its wealth. The U.S.A. has more people in prison than any other developed nation.
Workers in the U.S.A. are highly productive, they work more hours than any other developed country except the Republic of Korea and the Czech Republic, which are both really considered "developing" or "in transition" countries.
Adult literacy rates place the U.S.A. 60th, below Mongolia.
And as an after-note, any citizen working for minimum wage is obviously not better off than when Clinton left office. The last minimum wage set was in 1997 to $5.15. Today that has a purchasing power of $4.46.
Mary Doyle
St. Petersburg
No Better
Re: “Are You Better Off Today?” by John Sugg (Aug. 25-31)
I enjoyed your article. Despite ignoring all of GW's other blunders, I had hoped that the public would see the increasing rate of wealth disparity under the Bush administration. Nothing trickles down anymore. It is flowing up faster than ever.
Patrick M. Cotter, CPA
Via e-mail
I was truly impressed by your sarcastic honesty and your literary depiction of the "Republican Hypocrisy." This hypocrisy is what drives me mad, though it is neither Republican nor Democratic that seems to rise above the other. I hate labels and refrain from attaching myself to a political party affiliation. Isn't it insane that after years of trying to rid ourselves of the oppression of stereotypes and labels, that the complete foundation of our politics weighs on picking a side and bashing the other? I absolutely felt compelled to say thank you for this breath of fresh air.
Rebecca Jimenez
Via e-mail
This article appears in Sep 22-28, 2004.