Cyclists Obamacare Older dogs Hillary Clinton

Cyclists

Joining in on the many responses to the letter "Cyclists" (The Capital, Oct. 19):

Most adult cyclists also own cars and thus pay their fair share of road taxes. I doubt many venture out during commuter rush hours, as they know it's not a safe time to be on the road.

Many cyclists engage in this form of recreation to improve or maintain their health, which should, in theory, reduce our nation's health care and Medicare costs. So cyclists are contributing to lowering the overall tax burden on fellow citizens.

The letter stated that automobile writers should not share the road with bikes. Well, he and other drivers need to read and adhere to the existing Maryland regulations that prescriptively address the rules of mutual engagement for both the person driving the car and the cyclist.

The mantra on the state's website (sha.maryland.gov) is "We're on this road together; expect and respect." This is not a statement about common courtesy. This is the law!

Finally, our state should create and distribute education material and programs intended to re-educate existing drivers (like the letter writer), many of whom took their driver's exam and long before cycling became a popular recreational sport and the aforementioned laws were adopted to protect cyclists as well as runners and walkers who seek to use the public roads to exercise or get from one destination to the other safely.

ART NEWMAN

Annapolis

Obamacare

No new law is perfect. The big ones, such as Obamacare, may do the most good for the most people, but will also surely do badly for some people. To remedy the bad, our legislative process permits changes to the laws. Of course, if the law is a stinker, then starting over is better.

I'm a small-business owner, father and husband. With Obamacare I saw my company insurance rates go up less rapidly, my son was able to be insured until he was 26 at a time when he was unable to get a job and my wife, with a pre-existing condition, was able to get insurance that she otherwise would not have. For me, Obamacare has been good, but I am only one story.

When I research the statistics, I see Obamacare has been good for many, significantly decreasing the overall number of uninsured. I also see numerous anecdotal reports of small companies making employees unwillingly part-time and canceling health insurance as a benefit. But as far as I can tell from the statistics, company-provided health insurance is up, employment is up and unwilling part-time employment is down.

We should fix Obamacare to make it more accessible and affordable, and to reduce its impact on small business. But we should not simply scrap Obamacare and think another new law will surely work better. What we have is a pretty good, and we can fix its problems. A bird in hand is worth more than two in the bush.

PATRICK McGREGOR

Millersville

Older dogs

Regarding The Capital's article about the Senior Dog Sanctuary (Oct. 16):

Thank you for bringing, to the public's attention the excellent work that this nonprofit organization (www.seniordogsanctuary.com) does for older, or forgotten canines.

As a disclaimer: I have no association with this organization, but simply value its mission.

Unfortunately, most families overlook older dogs when it comes to adoption. But, as someone who adopted a 13-year-old golden retriever with various medical problems, I can say with all honesty he was the best, sweetest dog my wife and I have ever had (and we've owned about six dogs over 25 years). He made our lives so much richer and more enjoyable. Most definitely, our next dog will be an older dog.

For anybody who is considering adopting an older dog, I highly recommend the book "Old Dogs are the Best Dogs" by Gene Weingarten.

It's a short read, but it aptly describes the many great characteristics of older dogs that you won't get in a young one.

GEORGE METZE

Severna Park

Hillary Clinton

I read Nick Berry's guest column (The Capital, Nov. 10) several times. Mr. Berry blamed everyone but God and Hillary Clinton for her election upset. Hillary was a victim of her own actions and lack of accountability.

BILL TONGUE

Annapolis