German health care superior to Canada's?

I deeply appreciate the continued efforts of doctors and private citizens to reverse the health care system in order to provide equitable treatment at reasonable costs to all residents.

Since some have advocated the Canadian single-payer plan, I questioned a second cousin who resides in Canada. Her answer: "Because it is universal and there is a cap to what doctors can charge, we have lost many of our best doctors to you guys down there. Due to the system we have long waiting times for surgery. There are high taxes on gasoline, liquor, personal income taxes plus monthly payments depending upon income and it still isn't nearly enough."

My cousin's husband has dual citizenship with Germany and elected to have an injured finger tendon repaired there while on a visit. He also has cardiac irregularities.

According to my cousin, the waiting period involved would have taken eight months to a year in Canada. In Germany, it was a matter of weeks between appointments.

I'm wondering what, if any, is the "downside" to the latter health care system and frankly can't imagine expanding Medicare, given our government's reputation.

Ursula Barry, Corvallis

Militia, military are not the same thing

I wonder if those who are making a fuss about the Second Amendment phrase "a well regulated militia" have any idea what it means?

The Supreme Court didn't overlook it at all. The phrase "well regulated" meant and means "operated as intended" as in "A well-regulated clock keeps good time." The word "militia" is the worst hangup, as the anti-gun crowd would have it be synonym of "military." It's actually the opposite.

"The Militia" meant to our Founding Fathers all those able-bodied men who could be counted on to come to the defense of the country. It still is defined by Title Ten of the U.S. code as those civilians who might be subject to a draft.

"Militia" is civilian; "military" is government-controlled; a ying-yang.

P.M. deLaubenfels, Corvallis

Individual changes key to bright future

We are an impoverished society.

We have possessions that kings couldn't dream of. We're helpless and hopeless, however, because we lack the skills to provide ourselves with shelter, food and everything else we need.

We're ideologically bankrupt. We need - and expect - the government to solve our problems. Sheepishly we follow movements: the sustainability movement, the elect so-and-so movement, etc. But such movements "are insincere; they propose that the trouble is caused by other people; they would like to change policy but not behavior" (Wendell Berry).

Real adults live responsibly, not by insisting other people live responsibly.

Hear the true message of hope: We do not need better politicians, fuel, computers, schools, corporations, experts, cars, science or technology: "Our country is not being destroyed by bad politics, it is being destroyed by a bad way of life." (Berry).

The only viable solution to the destruction is for each of us to change our own lifestyle.

William Hormann, Corvallis

Together we can get through hard times

Many people are experiencing hard economic times right now, and it looks like more will follow. We have three options:

1. Do nothing and pretend it will be OK.

2. Go into a shell and try to protect yourself.

3. Work as a community of neighbors to address common needs.

Options 1 and 2 are stricken with "mass-media anxiety syndrome," which is when people allow all the negative news, fear, projected expectations of the so-called "experts," "pundits" and bigger-than-life TV, radio and print personalities to control our thinking.

Option 3 is based on basic goodwill, our real-life experience and a real willingness to listen to and try to understand our neighbors, and to work together to resolve our common problems.

The government can only do so much and, even in good times, has a hard time addressing all the real needs.

Many people who are now living on the economic edge by no fault of their own are falling off. Many mothers, children, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, sisters and brothers will face problems of hunger, unemployment and more.

Options 1 and 2 believe it is not their problem. Option 3 knows that there are no community issues we can't solve if we learn to work together. Options 1 and 2 will blame all the world's problems on "those people." Option 3 will see many possible solutions as neighbors share ideas and roll up their sleeves to do the work that needs to be done for the well-being of our communities.

We all have three options, and life is all about which one we choose.

David Anderer, Albany

400-house project might close Ryals

Ryals Road users' alert: Do you use Ryals Road off of Highway 99W to go to Albany? Are you aware that the City of Adair Village is pursuing an Urban Growth Boundary expansion so a Texas-based company, Horton, can build 400-plus houses on the 127 acres intersected by Ryals Road? The road will be closed.

A public hearing is scheduled at 7 p.m. on July 29 at the Prince of Peace Community Church in Adair Village.

Cherrill Boissonou, Corvallis