Letters to the Editors: Readers Speak Out

Letter to the Editor: The Seattle Times

American Health: A top issue ignored by candidates

Re: “U.S. life expectancy gap widens to 20 years among groups, Seattle researchers found” (Dec. 10, 2024):

The Seattle Times is to be commended for publishing some of the best reporting on the new report on America’s health status from the University of Washington-based Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation featured in The Lancet.

That U.S. health lags far behind that of other rich nations has been known for years. This has never been an issue to be discussed by candidates wanting to become president of the United States. Why? Surely Americans being dead first should matter to us all.

In the forthcoming State of the Union address, required by our Constitution, the state of our health in comparison to that of other unions should be discussed.

-Stephen Bezruchka, Seattle

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Letter to Pacific Call, Jan 6, 2025

There are many explanations for the Democratic Party’s defeat in 2024. Rampant lies and disinformation, economic anxiety, and Biden’s unwavering support for Netanyahu, regardless of how many Palestinians are murdered by airstrikes or starvation, all these contributed to Kamela Harris’ defeat and the Democratic loss of the House and Senate. I do not believe that candidate Harris or the message was at fault. I think that Democrats lost largely because of our countries’ continuing history of Racism and Sexism.

It is difficult for most white people, including myself, to admit that we are racist. Just because we have not participated in a lynching doesn’t mean we are free from racism. It is what so many of us were taught from an early age. It can be unconscious.

What is the solution? We must all honestly examine our assumptions and behavior towards black and brown people. From personal, painful experience, I urge all white folks to honestly look at our assumptions, conscious or not, and try to understand the hurt that continues to divide us.

-Marjorie Prince, Seattle     

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Letter to The Seattle Times, Feb 6, 2025 A14

Gaza proposal

An ‘obvious’ solution

Re: “‘I won’t leave. Put that in your brain.’ Palestinians reject Trump’s call to expel them from Gaza” (Feb. 5, Nation &World):

President Donald Trump’s idea of relocating Gazans, despite widespread criticism, is nothing short of brilliant. Unfortunately, neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt are less than keen on 2 million immigrants crossing their borders. Trump can relate.

The solution is obvious! Let the Gazans have Florida! They can easily switch from growing olives to oranges. And there are nice beaches, good fishing.

Let the Floridians, including Trump, relocate to the new Riviera of the Middle East: Gaza. Wait! You notice Gaza has less acreage than Florida? No problem. That’s the American way, relocating people to smaller territories. Just ask any Indigenous nation if you need a reminder.

Yes, President Trump’s brilliance shines out, lighting the world.

-Jean Buskin, Seattle