Why not use reconciliation for everything?
Re: “Obamacare: No matter what the cost,” March 1
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Since the Democrats are so keen on using reconciliation to pass health care, why not use it to pass all their radical legislation? Why is health care such a special exception? There is no question that they are aware of the poll numbers — so why would they defy their constituents? My point is that there is obviously a larger, unknown interest at play here, forcing the Democrats’ hands on health care. Whether it is the president trying to save face, or the health care lobby threatening to pull the rug out from under them, it spells disaster for Democrats in November.
Mehgan D. Williams
Washington
STAR officials treat disabled with disdain
Re: “STAR riders give paratransit service high marks,” Feb. 28
Acting Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan is absolutely correct: STAR is the best paratransit service in the United States. I have testified at county budget hearings at least three times about how important STAR is for Arlington residents with disabilities. However, I am one of a small group of blind STAR riders who are complaining — not about STAR, but about the treatment we receive from Arlington STAR officials who change policies without notice. As an Arlington taxpayer, I asked for a return to earlier policies, but I (along with other STAR riders) am now being blamed as an abuser of STAR services because I chose to express myself. I fainted on an Arlington sidewalk last summer because a STAR staff person told me I had to wait an hour to be returned home. It was not until I testified at a public hearing that they finally paid attention — six months after the episode. Then I requested a reasonable accommodation, written by my physician, because I cannot stand for an hour waiting for a taxi. After more than five weeks, county officials turned down my request with the excuse that “… transportation providers’… contracts do not require them to do so.” Who is writing those contracts? Surely not Diamond Transportation Red Top Cab. STAR drivers told me I had “joined the bad guys” for speaking up. This is nothing but a concerted effort to intimidate us. Many STAR riders who tried to find out about system changes without any notice have been met with stony silences. By avoiding any interaction with STAR riders, nothing goes on the record showing STAR’s bad management and disdain for anything we request. Arlington Board member Chris Zimmerman asked STAR officials to explain their lack of response — and to prove that their policy changes have saved money. In January, the Disability Advisory Commission voted unanimously to support our group and Mr. Zimmerman’s recommendations. However, the DAC chairman (who was not at the meeting) later wrote a letter suggesting that DAC consider a “neutral” position. So does Arlington’s Disability Advisory Commission support disabled residents like me or STAR officials? Who’s blind here?
Billie Jean Keith
National board member, American Council of the Blind
Arlington
Amnesty group ignores real human rights violations
Re: “Amnesty International doesn’t have much of a reputation to lose,” Feb. 23
Certainly Mona Charen has hit the nail on the head with her analysis of Amnesty International. Instead of emphasizing human rights violations, so prevalent in the Muslim world and in Third World nations, from its very inception it has focused on democratic governments for minor purported breaches of human rights. In the case of Israel, apparently defense of it own citizens against would-be murderers is a violation of the rights of the criminals. The United States has fared no better in this kangaroo court of international justice, with even the least questionable actions becoming a cause celebre. Amnesty International should change its name to more accurately reflect its agenda: Apologists for Murderers and Rogue Nations.
Nelson Marans
Silver Spring
