Mars? We have enough problems at home
American narcissism has no limits. When the government has a deficit so staggering that the human mind has trouble wrapping itself around the amount, and when the homelessness, joblessness and hunger in this country are reaching record proportions, to propose that we increase that deficit to send men to Mars and ignore these and other dire problems is narcissistic insanity that only the delusional can embrace ("Destination Mars," July 21).
It sickened me to read this suggestion in The Sun. It was wise to print it on the editorial page so that the author would remain anonymous.
Nancy Williamson, Baltimore
MTA should listen, not spy
Michael Dresser's article Tuesday ("MTA taping idea stifled," July 21) caught my attention this morning as I rode the No. 61 bus downtown. Even setting aside the privacy issues, I am sincerely doubtful that bugging the buses would deter crime and question why anyone could have supported the proposal.
The idea that MTA police (or anyone else) could defuse a violent situation by monitoring conversations on the bus from some central command center (for example) is debatable at best. Why not use the communication devices that drivers are already supposed to have?
Ironically, the MTA has put forth a good idea but completely missed the point. The transit agency should listen to its customers to improve service, not monitor free speech in the vain hope that the tiny minority of criminals on the buses will advertise their intentions before doing wrong.
Patrick Murphy, Baltimore
We already ration health care
Note to Republicans and naysayers in Congress:
Apparently you have not been listening to the American people. We already have rationed healthcare. Insurance bureaucrats tell us what medical care they will pay for and either refuse to cover or drop people who either have or may have serious and expensive medical issues.
If you are working for the insurance companies, perhaps you should be collecting your paychecks and benefits from them instead of the American people.
R. Lam, Baltimore
Prisoners' health care better
It is about time that this country recognizes that health care is a right that all Americans should enjoy. Currently, the only segment of our population that is entitled to free health care is prison and jail inmates.
The Bill of Rights guarantees in the 8th Amendment that inmates must be protected from "cruel and unusual punishment."
