Sound Off for Feb. 23, 2020

VA medical

If I may add my 2 cents worth regarding VA medical treatment rather than at Keesler Medical Center. I am a military retiree having served over 20 years, and during my career my hearing was ruined on the small arms range. My application was flatly denied because my income was above the threshold established by the VA. So for my free lifetime medical, I pay Medicare for the wife and myself, pay for hearing aids, eye glasses and dental work. Fortunately I am able to pay but there are veterans and retirees that cannot. Frankly, it is a screwy system.

Unhappy employees

I experience unfriendly workers at stores that hire cheap laborers regularly now. A lady at a sandwich shop was downright rude. Then I got to thinking. I would be mad too if I made minimum wage with no benefits. But hey, unemployment is at an all-time high.

Really radical?

Back in the day (1948-56), I attended St. Michael’s parochial school from grades 1-8. Tuition was $1 per month (if your parents had the money). Books were provided by the taxpayers. Many of my friends attended Howard II. Tuition and books were provided by taxpayers. Nobody screamed socialism! Then, and today, public school grades 1-12 are subsidized by taxpayers. Nobody screams socialism! So, why is the idea of extending taxpayer-subsidized education to a two-year or four-year college education such a radical idea? Private colleges would still exist.

Excellent broadcasting

To the Social-Democrat that was complaining about the criticisms of candidate Bloomberg by Rush Limbaugh, I have a suggestion. Don’t tune his show in. Now if you want to get consistent truth about your liberal heroes, how destructive socialism is and learn why liberalism is a disease, then continue to listen.

Sad day

The Boy Scouts of America filing bankruptcy. Sadly, the end is near. I was a Boy Scout in the 1960’s and never witnessed or heard of any sexual abuse in our troop. I have such fond memories of a fine organization for boys — learning those things our earlier American pioneers had to endure! It was a good pathway to grow into becoming a good citizen of a great country, and personally, it helped me develop as a future leader. So very sad that tomorrow’s generation will not have the opportunity.

Rate too high

Has anyone else noticed that the tax collector for Jackson County raised the postage cost to mail license plate stickers from $2 to $4.25? That’s more than a 100% increase for first class mail! This situation is disgraceful; there is no reason for a public entity to charge $4.25 in postage for your license plate sticker.

To submit a Sound Off, email soundoff@sunherald.com

This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Sound Off for Feb. 23, 2020."