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Letters to the editor

Rep. Dawn Morrell is an effective leader who isn’t afraid to stand up to opponents

Re: “We need affordable health care for working families” (letter, 11/25)

I have been a resident of the 25th Legislative District since 1967 and have been proud to know and work with many outstanding state legislators who have represented us with their leadership and accomplishments. Without a doubt one of the most outstanding is Rep. Dawn Morrell who wrote a letter to The Herald last Wednesday outlining the important issue of health care. If you missed her letter go to www.puyallupherald.com and search it out.

Dawn is outstanding as a legislator because she cares deeply about her constituents including those lives who have been saved by her actions as a critical care nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital. She is a leader in our state on health care and other important issues in the east Tacoma, Puyallup and South Hill areas. She is an effective leader because she is not afraid to stand up to those who would oppose her in Olympia and she has worked hard to represent her district.

She has effectively articulated the reasons why we need health care reform in the Herald letter last week. One way we can continue to work toward our goal of health care reform in the State of Washington is to continue to support Representative Morrell when she is up for re-election in 2010.

Jerry Beckendorf, Puyallup

The law of unintended consequences is frequently imposed through poor programs

Re: “We need affordable health care for working families” (letter, 11/25)

Rep. Dawn Morrell’s Fact No. 1 — If, by reform, Morrell includes tort reform, she is on target. At the federal level tort reform apparently isn’t even up for discussion.

The “cancer eating our state budget” is, in reality, continued state spending while tax revenues decline. Failure of leadership in Olympia to recognize and react has resulted in what is growing to be a $10 billion shortfall. Let’s not try to blame everything on the health care crisis.

Fact No. 3 — Morrell is correct here. Why do federal legislators want to rush these complicated reforms through? Only because they feel they have the momentum, not well conceived programs. Why did senate leadership develop their version in closed door sessions? Eight-five percent of Americans have health coverage, why is Washington insisting on overhauling 100 percent of the system to help the 15 percent who don’t have coverage. Leveraging their programs with threats of fines and jail should put everyone on alert.

Representative Morrell, please consider that the law of unintended consequences is most frequently imposed through poorly conceived programs. If they get this wrong the financial and health costs will be irreparable.

Doug Willrich, Puyallup