I’m a lifelong Republican who couldn’t be more upset with House Republicans for not supporting Ukraine. Russia is a brutal, dictatorial, and evil state. They hate the very idea of democracy spreading to their borders—especially when that democracy is an America-loving, pro-freedom country like Ukraine. We have to support Ukraine in their fight for freedom. The Senate passed a bill to provide critical foreign aid to our allies, but Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote. He knows that if we did, it would pass with strong Republican support. Republicans who care about American ideals, like Rep. Mike Turner, must sign a discharge petition to bring the bill to the floor. Rep. Mike Turner has been a staunch defender of American allies. Now is not the time to stop this fight. If just four Republicans sign a discharge petition, the bill will be voted on and passed. Rep. Turner needs to take the lead on this. We must stand up to dictators and protect freedom.
- Robert Leibecke, Centerville
I was in the Navy in 1962. I had a severe case of pneumonia. I was admitted to the hospital with a fever of 104.2. Due to the pneumonia, I was diagnosed with a condition called bronchiectasis. Due to this disorder, I could not serve on active duty, so I was diagnosed with a service-connected disability and honorably discharged. I quit smoking, and I took care of myself, and everything was fine until 1970. In that year, I started coughing up blood. I was admitted to the VA Hospital in Dayton. Brown Hospital was built during the Civil War. It was old, dirty, and run down. It was a frigid January, and many alcoholic veterans came to the hospital to sober up. I was in the respiratory ward, but Brown Hospital was so overcrowded that many of the alcoholics were placed in our ward. These poor souls were chronic drunkards. Many of them suffered from delirium tremors. Some of these men hollered and screamed all night, so there was little sleep. All of the men were much older than me. All of this was a very unpleasant experience. I was employed at General Motors in 2004. GM filed for bankruptcy, the workers lost their health care benefits. I decided to consider the VA. A female African doctor was going to interview me. This was not going to my liking, so I thought. I was wrong. The lady doctor was very knowledgeable. She was very interested in me. I was honest with her about how I felt. I also told her about my experience in 1970. She assured me that was in the past and things were much different now. I was impressed and ashamed that I let my prejudice influence me. I go to the Veterans Hospital for all of my medical needs. I am beyond pleased. I receive excellent care. The doctors, nurses, attendants, and business people are fantastic. The hospital is so clean that it shines. The patients have private rooms instead of wards. The entire staff is very caring and pleasant. Usually, there is little wait time, and if you do have to wait, there is a good reason for it. GM had excellent health care benefits, but they don’t come close to what the VA has. I would stay with the VA even if my GM health care benefits were restored. I am not the only one that thinks this way. I have investigated, and the Veteran’s Health Care is rated better than private hospitals.
- Richard Downing, Xenia