DIALOGUEletters
SAM TROUT
Debate goes on
of Britain.” I thoroughly enjoyed both trips. In
the local cities they hire a local guide and the
guides are excellent.
Sister Dianne Fagan, Oakland, California
Healthy reading
I appreciate the articles you publish concerning health issues. For instance, recently
you ran an article about the positive health
effects blueberries offer and a similar article on
vitamin E. You have established Costco as a
credible company worthy of trust. There are
few companies in America that can claim this.
Henry Hanflik, Flint, Michigan
In response to the October
Debate, “Should voting be
encouraged through lotteries?”
Y ES. Rewarding people for participation in a
desired activity is the American way. Bonuses,
raises and scholarships are rewards for doing
good work. Voters should have incentives, as
there are many deterrents to voting.
Herbert Roskind, Scottsdale, Arizona
NO. Contrary to what some say, it does not
encourage nonvoters to become educated on
the issues, but rather encourages uninterested
parties to slap down a random response so
they can have a free lottery ticket. There
would be more votes but they would be random responses, only generated by a chance at
a million dollars.
Laura Rightmyer, Kingston, Washington
A winning strategy
I’m writing in response to the article
“Tuition prep 101,” in the August edition of
The Costco Connection. The strategy for business owners to hire their own kids in order to
get their children started on the road to retirement is right on the money. Starting these
kids (and their families) thinking about
retirement at an early age allows for all the
benefits of compounding to take hold.
Great job in bringing this important situation to light.
Barry Specht, Huntington, New York
Hammering out cancer
In April 2005 The Connection ran a story
on our company, Tomboy Tools [“Ladies, fasten your tool belts”]. The article generated
more than 800 inquiries. I’m writing to let you
know that we have partnered with the Susan
G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (www.
komen.org) and are selling a 13-ounce pink
hammer to help “Hammer Out Breast
Cancer.” We are donating 70 percent of the net
proceeds to the foundation. Our goal is to
raise $600,000 by August 1, 2007. Based on the
strong response from your article, I believe
your readers are interested in our company
and may want to help us reach our goal.
Jennifer Imel, Tomboy Tools
(
www.tomboytools.com)
YES. I feel everyone should vote, and if it takes
an incentive to make it happen, then I say do
it. I think people will take more notice if they
know they are going to vote, even if they are
just doing it for the chance at $1 million.
Donald McGovern
Wolverine Lake, Michigan
Great products,
responsible vendor
I want to thank you for offering environmentally friendly products and organic groceries. I just read your September cover story
about Stonyfield Farms, and I am so proud
that I am a member. Costco is so large it will
truly make a difference on our planet because
of its smart, eco-friendly choices. This
encourages me to continue my Costco membership and be glad that my dollars and your
dollars are changing the world and helping
preserve the planet.
Alana Wellins, Santa Ana, California
Mother knows best
For years I’ve been teaching my children
the value of acting with integrity, being
responsible and showing compassion and forgiveness to others. Your article “Following a
moral compass” [October 2006 issue] brings to
light just how essential these ethical attributes
are in business and life. Maybe a mother really
does know best!
Mary Denise Ehret, Escondido, California
NO. Anyone who votes just because there is a
possibility they could win a lottery is not a
“good” voter. Only those who study issues,
consider facts and care about the future
should vote.
Joe Conway, Broomfield, Colorado
Odds and ends
Travel company connection
I just read the October issue of The Costco
Connection. Each issue has proven to be so
informative. Being a former teacher, I appreciate articles that are well researched and
written with such care.
The travel article on page 47 [“Not your
father’s tour company”] was of special interest
to me. Trafalgar is my favorite travel company.
I did a Germany-Austria-Switzerland two-week guided tour with Trafalgar and a “Taste
Variable annuities revisited
I just read [Suze Orman’s] “Financial
Connection” column in the September 2006
issue and I wanted to share a quick observation with you. Suze, you must get up to speed
on the benefits that a variable annuity (VA)
can provide some of Costco’s members.
You seem to have a tremendous bias
against annuities. Sure, VAs have been abusively sold by commission-hungry brokers in
the past, but I find retirees love the peace of
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
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Readers are encouraged to submit letters to our editors on any topic or issue covered in
The Connection. Please include your full name and phone number or address. Send all
letters to: Dialogue, The Costco Connection, P.O. Box 34088, Seattle, WA 98124-1088; fax
to (425) 313-6718; or e-mail to
dialogue@costco.com. The editors reserve the right to edit
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