Doctors take some blame for HMO mess
Ronald Dworkin aptly laments the increasing erosion of doctors' professional autonomy as a product of managed care interference ("Decline of the Mandarin class," Sept. 8).
However, Mr. Dworkin fails to detail the historical context of doctors' culpability in their dismal fate.
As early as 1948, the Truman administration proposed a universal system of health care, much like those established in Europe. The American Medical Association used its powerful lobby to force a rejection of universal care, whipping politicians into a frenzied fear that a hideous system of managed care would result.
Well, AMA, we now have that managed health care, but a management based on profit, not on an ethical concern for patient well-being. As recently as 1992, the AMA continued to fight against universal health coverage. Beyond the mere loss of prestige and control, doctors have lost the ability to care for patients in a humane fashion. HMOs now lead doctors around like bulls with rings through their noses.
I say to the failing Mandarin class: You are the bulls. Don't demur to HMOs. Organize a stampede against the ring leaders.
Joshua Bloomberg
Baltimore
Clinton has done enough to diminish presidency
Hearing and reading varied sources concerning President Clinton's sex scandals, I feel that the crux of the matter is missed.
Certain human failings (such as heavy drinking and swearing) may be pardoned as long as they don't interfere with the proper execution of the duties of one's office, but what is inexcusable and unpardonable is Mr. Clinton's blatant and deliberate lying to deceive the American people. This is unconscionable, leaving his character, integrity and leadership permanently flawed.
Definitely, the office of the president has been seriously damaged and will remain so as long as Mr. Clinton remains. Furthermore, his relationship and credibility in the public domain and with other governments remain fractious and relatively ineffective in these critical times.
Restoration of the damage done can be accomplished only by his resigning now.
Burke Lucas
Annapolis
Betrayal of the president has cost Glendening a vote
"Et tu, Brute." Betrayal should be a familiar word to Gov. Parris N. Glendening. How easily he forgets. He has pompously decided to kick the president while he is down and circle with the other vultures waiting for the kill.
President Clinton has done so much for Maryland and has done an outstanding job as president. For Mr. Glendening to feed his political ego on the president's mistakes is unsettling and not at all like the governor I have known. He has lost my vote.
Hettie Richburg
Baltimore
Attacking the messengers and ignoring Clinton deeds
I love it when people like Michael Olesker throw verbal tantrums and continue attacking the messengers -- Kenneth Starr and Linda Tripp -- and ignore Bill Clinton's seducing of a young employee, possible perjury, Whitewater, "Filegate," "Travelgate" and "Cattlegate."
It makes it so much more obvious to all Americans that many Democrats don't care at all about right or wrong, only about getting caught. The Joseph Liebermans are the refreshing exception.
I hope this will all help complete the Republican revolution begun with Clinton's presidency. I don't want Mr. Clinton to resign; I want him impeached.
Michelle Bauck
Hutchinson, Kan.
A president who needs too many second chances
President Clinton can't seem to get things right the first time, and the public continues to be dragged down by this inability.
I don't believe the public needs or wants another apology from this president. Enough. If he can't make a simple "I'm sorry, and I was wrong" the first time, how are the affairs of the nation and the world being carried out? Senators Joseph I. Lieberman, Robert Kerry and Daniel Patrick Moynihan have taken the lead, finally, and are doing the right thing.
Annabelle Fisher
Baltimore
Impeachment impediment to Congress' real work
If Congress immerses itself in impeachment proceedings, it won't be doing the job it should for the country.
Mary O. Styrt
Baltimore
Nature has been good to Maryland black bears
Nature has produced an abundance of nuts, berries and forage foods in the forest this year. Thus, the black bear of western Maryland has received a gift from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. It has rejected permits to farmers of that area to kill crop-damaging bears this year because bears have been less a nuisance this summer than last year, thanks to the abundant natural food supply.
Another season of sanctuary will go a long way to protect these "wonders of nature," as Theodore Roosevelt called them. He said: "There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its melancholy and its charm."
Paul Inskeep
Dundalk
Ex-Iraqi arms inspector deserved better treatment
I feel compelled to write about my disgust with the way Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware handled Maj. Scott Ritter during his testimony before the Armed Services Committee on Sept. 3. Major Ritter is a man of honor who has spent the better part of his life defending this country. He lives by a code that demands exemplary behavior.
Unfortunately, Mr. Biden works closely with a chief executive officer who has no moral code. As Mr. Biden began his assault on Major Ritter, he repeatedly assured us that he totally respected the major's position on the Iraqi weapons program, yet in the same breath he began the most disrespectful attack I have ever witnessed.
None of the other committee members lashed out in such a manner. With the exception of Mr. Biden, all the members, Republican and Democrat alike, treated Major Ritter with respect.
The men and women of our armed services are held to high standards. I find it despicable that Mr. Biden lacks the integrity to extend that respect to a man who serves to protect his rights.
Eric Burket
Arnold
Compassion alone cannot cure hunger
Ellen Friedman's piece on compassion for the homeless was thoughtful and inspiring, and she and her child are wonderful and caring ("A road less traveled yields poignant lesson," Aug. 17).
Nevertheless, I could not help but notice that the writer mentioned only encounters with homelessness in her car or when she takes trips to baseball games (in the city).
Younger people such as my husband and I, who have not yet saved enough money to make the move to the homogenous suburbs or the wealthy city neighborhoods, attend graduate school and live and work in the city. We are not sheltered by an automobile when we step outside, so we come face-to-face with urban blight the moment we leave our Mount Vernon apartment.
Perhaps because I live in the city, I always detect a note of self-satisfaction on the part of suburbanites who criticize the heartlessness of their fellow man. I take the train to work in Washington, and during my daily walks to the train station and back, I often encounter as many as four different people asking for money. Sometimes I give money; sometimes I don't. Either way, I never feel good about it.
Homelessness in Baltimore and Washington cannot be cured by the kindness of strangers.
Still, it is important to always show compassion and humanity toward those less fortunate, and that is probably not a bad place to start.
Christina Borgeest
Baltimore
Pub Date: 9/15/98