Letters to the editor: Criticism and love for columnists, response to GOP health care bill

Dennis Prager Misses Mark With Crime Wave Premise

Congratulations to Dennis Prager. His splenetic “No Wave” column exceeded his usual repugnant level of see-through propaganda (“There Is No Wave of Trump-Induced Crime in America,” March 10). This inexplicable Nazi/white power apologia reached all the way to outright sick-making (especially appearing in a Jewish publication).  

Bonus points for tacking on, at the thrilling conclusion of this slop, blithe lecture-y dismissals of the effects of climate change, AIDS, rape and racism among police, too (efficient!). Love how you brought a little Kellyanne into our Jewish world — fun!  

Grrrr.  

Steve Heller via email

Columnists Stir Strong Feelings Among Readers

Dennis Prager and David Suissa appeared to be an oasis of credible journalism and well-thought-out commentary in the March 10 edition. It wasn’t a Purim joke; it was rational, credible journalism. In particular, Dennis Prager clearly showed that there is no wave of Trump-induced crime in America. David Suissa exposed the so-called Women’s March as a political movement with a bias toward the liberal left (“Why I’m Protesting the Protests of March 8,” March 10). The Women’s March completely ignored the real persecution of women, such as in some countries that persecute women under Muslim law.

Rob Eshman should, by now, get the message that his bias toward the liberal left has created a disconnect with the Los Angeles area Jewish community. He should take a lesson from and try to emulate Dennis Prager and David Suissa.

Marshall Lerner, Beverly Hills

Thank you, David Suissa. Your take on recognizing Trump as a bullshitter (“Is Trump Worse Than a Liar?” Feb. 24) and on handling acts of Jew-hatred in America from a position of strength (“Fight Jew-Haters but Don’t Promote Them,” March 3), I found right on the mark.

And I especially want to thank Gina Nahai for her firsthand illuminating account of life under the shah (“The Nature of Rubbish,” March 3). I gained tremendous understanding and compassion for what her family and other Persians went through. We Americans need to understand and appreciate how people cope with and survive totalitarian regimes, including “fake news.”

Sharon Alexander, Torrance

GOP Caught in Health Care Trap

Michelle Wolf wrote that the proposed Republican health plan will drastically cut Medicaid benefits from the most needy and vulnerable Americans (many of whom voted for Trump) (“The Cruelest Cuts of All,” March 10).

That is only part of the story. Many, but not all Republicans would like to repeal Obamacare altogether and do away with all government assistance to the medically needy. They got elected on the promise to abolish Obamacare.

However, when it comes to reality, there is a conundrum: Many Republicans campaigned on the shortcomings of Obamacare that, indeed, over promised. They not only promised repeal, but a substitution program which would retain all the popular provisions of Obamacare and add more benefits but cost less.

Now they are caught in the trap of over promise. The actual proposed plan (Trumpcare) would indeed cost less, but would drastically cut benefits, leaving about half of the approximately 20 million newly insured without insurance and most of the rest paying more for less. There is no magic. You usually don’t get more for less. If there is a lesson to be learned from what happened to the Democrats, the Republicans have not learned it.

Or maybe they just painted themselves into a corner. Consider turning over a new leaf: Medicare for everyone.      

Michael Telerant, Los Angeles

Watch Your Language, School Board Candidate

Thank you very much for your coverage of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board candidates, including Nicholas Melvoin (“Melvoin: ‘New Blood, New Ideas’ and Charter Schools,” March 3). If I were Harvard, I’d ask Mr. Melvoin to return his English diploma: “Me and Steve could be brothers.” This from someone who is seeking a seat on the Board of Education? Why would anyone support a candidate who cannot construct a simple declarative sentence correctly?

Mine will be one less vote for Mr. Melvoin.

Beryl Arbit via email