DIALOGUEletters
Odds and ends
Visualize the American dream
I am thrilled to read the heartwarming get-ahead American dream
stories in The Connection such as your
William Wang–Vizio saga [“The vision of
Vizio,” September 2008]. The American
dream is definitely within the grasp of each
of us!
For our 50th wedding anniversary, my
husband surprised me with a new Vizio flat-screen TV. I had never heard of Vizio, but
knew Costco stood by their products. Eight
months later, I am thrilled with my Vizio.
I have no doubts that Mr. Wang will
pass up Sony in sales. His product is sharp
looking, gives great service and is very reasonably priced.
BRAND X PICTURES
tax on your bond interest can result in substantial savings.
Robert Ackerberg
Massapequa, New York
Debate goes on
Marilyn Swire
Santa Rosa, California
In response to the October
Debate, “Should there be a
national speed limit?”
Bonds, government bonds
In Suze Orman’s article [“Heir today,
gone tomorrow?,” September 2008] she
neglected to mention two important differences between CDs and government bonds.
First, the income from U.S. government
bonds is not taxable by any state, while
income from CDs will be taxed. Second,
U.S. government bonds are guaranteed
by the U.S. government, so it is not necessary
to check for FDIC insurance. In some states
with high personal income-tax rates,
such as California, not paying state income
Just say “no” to imported drugs?
Just a little note on Mr. Horowitz’s comment on prescription drugs [“Prescription
for danger,” September 2008]. I have two prescriptions which I must take daily. One
is manufactured in Canada, the other in
India. I am over 65, and have a Medicare
Part D prescription drug program. It requires
us to use generic drugs when available.
Almost all the generic drugs I take, as well as
my wife’s, are made in foreign countries. We
have no choice if we want to participate in
the program.
It seems that the government speaks out
of both sides of its mouth. On one hand, they
tell you to only buy drugs made in the USA.
On the other, they have programs which
require the purchase of drugs which seemingly are only made in a foreign country. So
much for consistency.
NO. Nobody mentioned that an amendment
to the Constitution should be required to
implement such a law. The Tenth Amendment
of that document says, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution,
nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved
to the States respectively, or to the people.” I
can’t find in the Constitution an authorization for the federal government to regulate
highway speeds.
Gene Strouss
Macon, Georgia
And in other drug news ...
I received two prescriptions I needed to
fill for my husband and myself. I decided to
price-shop. I called my Medicare Rx prescription mailing plan and was told the 90-day
supply of Flexeril (generic cyclobenzaprine)
was $17.54. At Costco, it was $9.50.
Cliff Skelton
Mount Vernon, Washington
YES. National speed limits would establish
consistency, which would establish good driving habits and safety on national highways.
H. Lee McLeod
Las Vegas, Nevada
Adam@Home by Brian Basset
In response to the September
Debate, “Should parents be certified
to home-school their children?”
NO. Home-school students statistically have
higher test scores than do public students,
and have proven to be better prepared for
higher education.
Charles Christiansen
Port Washington, Wisconsin
YES. As a teacher, I know and understand the
value of being prepared to educate a child. I
feel that it’s crucial that all parents be certified
to be able to home-school their child.
Wendy Kaslofsky
Miami, Florida
SPECIAL TO THE CONNECTION. ADAM IS © BY BRIAN BASSET, UNIVERSAL PRESS S YNDICATE
