Debate goes on
I n response to the September
Debate, “Should we rely more
on nuclear power to meet our
energy needs?”
PHOTODISC
Y ES. Nuclear power is a stable and mature
technology, it has the capacity to provide us
with the levels of energy production that we
need and the newest reactor designs are far
safer and more efficient than earlier designs.
We will have to deal with nuclear waste disposal issues, but the risks are far lower than
the risks associated with all other potential
energy sources.
Robert Goldschmidt
Beaverton, Oregon
NO. I think there are other ways to meet our
energy. First, people need to be educated on
what they can do to conserve energy.
Lisette Kennedy
Redondo Beach, California
YES. Nuclear weapons are an irresponsible use
of nuclear technology, but nuclear power as
currently managed in this country has proven
to be a safer and cleaner energy source than
coal, natural gas and oil. Global warming is at
a critical phase where hesitation to act for positive change is untenable.
Barbara Miller-Collins
Richland, Washington
NO. Nuclear power advocates always gloss
over the creation and storage of ionizing
nuclear waste as a byproduct of the generation
of electricity by nuclear fission, but it’s a real,
growing and huge problem. Wind power is
also a mature technology, available today.
Until we have harnessed all the wind we can,
safely and in harmony with our environment,
we should not consider the expansion of
nuclear power generation.
Frank Patterson
West Linn, Oregon
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Odds and ends
Not happy with Newt
If the Debate section of your August issue,
which asks whether the government should
play a role in managing health insurance, were
just a debate, I’d be fine with it. But I believe
that including Newt Gingrich’s comments and
photo in your publication amounts to an effort to rehabilitate the image of a national
office-seeker. If you could persuade me that
Gingrich had even a grain of genuine concern
whether or not I can get my stiffening hands
repaired without employer-dependent health
insurance, I would forgive you. But you’ve
given a step stool for Gingrich’s vapid political
ambitions. You should be sorry for that.
Pete Klammer
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
A doctor’s discovery
I was paying $20-per-month co-payments
for my generic cholesterol-lowering medication through my health insurance. A 90-day
supply was costing me $60. I decided to visit
Costco’s online pharmacy [after reading the
“For your health” section of the June issue].
I discovered the total cost over the next 12
months for this one prescription: $36 at Costco
versus $240 through my insurance, a savings
of $204. As a physician and Costco member,
I’m embarrassed to report it took me many
months to make this discovery.
Lawrence Berger, M.D., MPH
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Southwest story
After reading “Flying off into the sunset”
[September issue], I wish I had begun my
31-year flying career with Southwest Airlines.
Barrett is a true leader, communicator and
obviously a valued and well-respected president. It is not difficult to see why Southwest
remains a profitable and progressive airline.
The fact that Barrett considers “
employees to be our number-one customer, our passengers our second and our shareholders our
third” distinguishes her from greedy, fly-by-night CEOs.
D. Taggert
Redondo Beach, California
Consumer focus appreciated
The September 2007 issue of The Costco
Connection is the best ever. “Buying Smart:
Packaging” gave a behind-the-scenes look at
Correction
In the ad for the Verizon prepaid international long-distance phone card on page 4
of the September 2007 issue, some type
was inadvertantly dropped. It should state
that the rate is only 5 cents from the U.S.
DIALOGUEletters
Costco’s packaging process and “The Southwest
story” was inspiring. The Connection is fast
becoming a real magazine and not just a collection of advertisements. The consumer-educa-tion approach is greatly appreciated and helps
me be a more savvy shopper. I look forward
to each issue as much as I look forward to my
copy of Consumer Reports.
Keep it up, Costco Connection!
Guy Okada
Anchorage, Alaska
Flu shots
will be given at Costco pharmacies beginnning October 1. To
locate a Costco pharmacy flu
immunization clinic near you,
go online to www.findaflushot.
com/costco/.
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