Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/197448
6A Daily News – Wednesday, October 23, 2013 Opinion Me, me, me, me! What is PAL DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes letters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All letters must be signed and provide the writer's home street address and home phone number. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submitted will be considered for publication. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Editor: Finally they've demonstrated that they are the spoiled generation. They can't have it their way so they're taking the ball and going home. I surely hope so. Selfish, spoiled brats. They fought tooth and toenail against Affordable Care, because they think they'll have to pay for it. And that's just not fair. Somebody else should pay for it, just like somebody's taken care of them all their lives. So after it was approved in congress and signed by the President, they are going to shut down the whole world if they can't have it their way. They claim nobody wants it anyway, but the more people I talk to the more I find that think it's a good idea and past due. If they don't want it, all they have to do is write a new law superseding it and get the congress to approve it and the President, whomever that may be, to sign it and then they'll have it their way. Of course they don't have the votes to do that. They need to have a tall glass of iced tea and cool off because I think the country has had enough of their mewling. Goodbye and good riddance, Tea Party. You were a good idea in the beginning but, as usual, you've spoiled it with your selfishness. Fred Boest, Red Bluff Editor: Before we go into The Police Activities League I'd like to talk about what a Community Stakeholder is. Stakeholders are those folks who not only look at the problems within the community they care enough to do something about those problems. They don't so much complain about the problems, they care enough to get involved and make an effort in solving those problems. Bullying and violence in our schools and elsewhere is a huge problem, everywhere. But what about drugs, alcohol abuse and tobacco? Aren't these the gateways to bullying and violence? PAL is in many communities across California, including Tehama County. All PAL programs are free for our youth ages five through competition of high school (not to exceed age 20). Each chapter throughout the state includes its own programs. Tehama County PAL includes Junior Giants Baseball, Sharks and Parks Street Hockey, Basketball, Bowling, Flag Football, Indoor Soccer, Martial Arts/Self Defense, Mentoring, Boxing and Wrestling (Corning), Scrapbooking, and Youth Leadership Council. There are many wonderful youth organizations but few are free. How do these free programs survive? Grants and donations. Grants must be applied for through a sometimes lengthy written process but donations come from people just like you. Every dollar, every single penny is worthy of something PAL does for our county. youth. As PAL prepares for its "Run The Youth Leadership Council (formerly Youth Director's Coun- Drugs Out of our Town Run," I am cil) included members from the again just totally impressed with Martial arts Program only. It's what's happening. Business and gaining steam once again and the community leaders and a lot of hope is that it will include mem- participants are registering for this event. The Tehama bers from all of the proCounty community at grams within PAL. They large should, again, feel did two or three car Your very proud. But keep washes where Applethose donations coming bees now sits. Those in. Registering is as first car washes raised easy as going on–line at enough funds to get the Tehama County Young Marines www.tehamaso.org. Tehama Famlanding in town. Does anybody ily Fitness and Fleet Feet in Chico remember what those Young and Redding are helping by makMarines accomplished a few years ing our flyers available. But all the back? They are one of the most information may also be found well-known units across the nation easy to download on our Facebook (out of 300). The youth accom- pages – Tehama County PAL plished so much that they will Martial Arts and Run Drugs Out always be recognized by the Pen- of Our Communities. A Power tagon and DEA in Washington, D. Point Presentation is also available C. for drug demand reduction edu- on those pages. Each registrant will receive a cation for our youth. Now PAL is going to hold its tee shirt and medal that proclaim, Inaugural "Run Drugs out of Town "I'm a winner, I don't do drugs!" Run" on Sunday, Oct. 20, at the The back of the tee shirt is fillPAL Building at 1005 Vista Way. ing up with business and indiIt's going to be a fund raiser for vidual sponsors' names and PAL so that its programs will logos, including our long-time remain free. PAL is the major partner, the Red Bluff Daily youth organization in Tehama News. Again, all the information County. Boys and Girls Club of is on our two Facebook pages America are a major player across for those wishing to participate the nation along with the Young and donate. McGruff is schedMarines of the Marine Corps uled to make a very special appearance on the morning of League. Tehama County PAL was our run. Help him "take a bit out established in 1995 with Junior of crime." I'm not from California but it Giants. Virtually all of these youth programs are 501 (c) (3) nonprof- sure is my home now, especially its and depend on grants and your Red Bluff. I feel right at home donations. I've been here for 15 with my family and neighbors. years now and I am always It's the best place I've ever lived. John Minton, Red Bluff impressed by the givers in this Turn Your officials Mission Statement We believe that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehicles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its communities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the residents and businesses of Rebecca was stunned when she opened her mail last week. Tehama County. Her insurance carrier, Highmark BCBS, said her health insurance premium would rise 40 percent this year and her policy How to reach us would be canceled on Dec. 1, Main office: 527-2151 2014. Classified: 527-2151 She had purchased the policy in 2009, after her husband had Circulation: 527-2151 passed away from lupus, which News tips: 527-2153 he'd contracted 10 years before. His employer's insurance covered Sports: 527-2153 virtually all of the $1.1 million Obituaries: 527-2151 cost of his care during the last 66 Photo: 527-2153 days of his life. With three children to raise, Rebecca knew how important it On the Web was to have good coverage. Her www.redbluffdailynews.com husband's company covered her for three months after he died. That gave her time to buy her own Fax coverage with Highmark — though paying the $400 monthly Newsroom: 527-9251 premium would not be easy. Classified: 527-5774 She worked two or three jobs to make ends meet — jobs that Retail Adv.: 527-5774 allowed her to be home when her Legal Adv.: 527-5774 kids got home from school. She Business Office: 527-3719 was thankful to receive $1,300 a month in widow's benefits from Social Security, which her husAddress band had paid into for years (she will soon lose these benefits when 545 Diamond Ave. her youngest turns 16). Her comRed Bluff, CA 96080, or bined income is $47,000 a year. P.O. Box 220 By scrimping and saving, she has been able to pay her mortgage Red Bluff, CA 96080 and insurance, feed her kids and get the oldest two through college (thanks to several loans she is STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Dan Logue, 1550 Humboldt Road, Ste. 4, Chico, CA 95928, 530-895-4217 STATE SENATOR — Jim Nielsen, 2635 Forest Ave., Ste. 110, Chico, CA 95928, (530) 8797 4 2 4 , senator.nielsen@senate.ca.gov GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160; E-mail: governor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Doug LaMalfa 506 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-2253076. U.S. SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Commentary Does Obamacare cover sticker shock? repaying). So, she was stunned when she found out what her new insurance policy would cost. The Highmark representative explained that her new policy had to meet all the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare). It would have to cover things she does not want or need — such as mental health problems, substance abuse and maternity care. She asked the representative to help her choose a policy similar to what she had. The closest match he could find was a comprehensive PPO policy. Her deductible would go from $1,200 to $1,500 per person, but her family deductible would increase from $2,400 to $5,000. Her 90-percent copay would rise to 80 percent. Instead of being responsible for only 10 percent of her medical bills, after the deductible is met, she would be responsible for 20 percent. Her maximum out-of-pocket costs would soar from $2,000, after deductibles, to $12,000. Her premium would go from $400 to $884 per month — an increase of almost $6,000 per year. If she or one of her children were to get ill, as her husband did, her out-of-pocket costs would run about $24,000 a year. Surely there are subsides for people in Rebecca's position? The shame here is that there Not in her case. If her three children were are creative ways for the governyounger, she would be eligible ment to solve the problem by for a $6,000 tax credit. But her establishing guidelines while two oldest kids have just entered unleashing market forces. This is the workforce and their com- demonstrated by Medicare Part D, a successful entitlement probined income disqualifies them. If she covers just herself and gram that provides drugs to the her youngest child, her $47,000 elderly poor. Under Part D, income is still too high seniors are free to to qualify for subsidies. choose among a variety She is too proud to of benefits, costs and accept subsidies in any plans offered by private event. She doesn't want insurers. According to taxpayers picking up the Heartland Institute, the tab for her coverMedicare trustees estiage. In fact, Obamated a 2013 average maCare subsidies will monthly cost of $61 — cost taxpayers $1.9 trilthe actual costs are lion over the next HALF that. decade. In any event, lots of Her only solution is people are getting to find a full-time job Tom sticker shock as they that provides benefits learn how much their — if she can find an premiums will employer that offers increase. And despite them. Employers, too, the president's promises, many are seeing their premiums soar. Virtually everyone agrees our people will not get to keep their country needs to help the unin- current coverage. Just ask Rebecca. sured and those with pre-existing conditions get coverage and care. Tom Purcell, a humor However, ObamaCare is essentially forcing those who buy columnist for the Pittsburgh their own insurance to pay dou- Tribune-Review, is nationally ble or triple costs to cover those syndicated exclusively by without insurance or who have Cagle Cartoons newspaper pre-existing conditions — and a syndicate. Visit Tom on the Web good many of these middle-class at www.TomPurcell.com or ehim at people will not qualify for subsi- mail Purcell@caglecartoons.com. dies. Purcell