» o oy Je The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, March 6, 1996 '5 det | John W. Johnson "Second of a three-part series --Living on the Canadian border in the 1970's, I had immediate and daily exposure to the much celebrated Canadian Health Care System. And one of the most interesting things about that system—about Canada in general—was that Ca- nadians believe in two principles which are, literally, foreign to many Americans. They are: —Health care (and a variety of other social services) should be universal and cover everyone, re- gardless of income. “"—More importantly, that it is practically immoral to consider someone's ability to pay for that ‘health care as a condition for re- ceiving it. “In other words, it is a Canadian view that its big neighbor to the south, (that us as in U.S.) is a money grubbing, uncaring, social irresponsible....in a word, self- ish, form of government. And as the Canadian system has been debated on its positive merits, there are other things about the system which are just plain mythology, i.e.: ‘Canada does NOT have social- ized medicine. Canadians, in fact, have a free choice of physicians. Most hospitals are non-profit (an intellectual nonsequiter vis a vis the facts), and not owned by the government. More serious questions about health And while the health care sys- tem is operated and financed by the various provinces, it was con- ceptually a national system when conceived in 1959, and remains that except for management dif- ferences to be found in the differ- ent provinces. The major problem with the Canadian system (and I knew one man who visited his doctor and hospital emergency room an av- erage of 12-15 days per month, every month) is that Canadians have no incentive to save money. The Canadian system, in essence, relieves all Canadians from finan- cial worries over the cost of hospi- tal and doctor bills and most drug costs. And that, of course, is the system's major flaw...someone has to pay for all this inattention to the bottom line. That someone is the Canadian taxpayer who pays extraordinarily high taxes vis a vis what is received. As well, and because the Cana- dian system oddly does not pro- vide universal and essentially free long-term nursing and home care, older Canadians find themselves staying in much more expensive hospital beds...because it's free, right? So now we look north and says: “Isn't that great. They have a compassionate and caring gov- ernment.” That means health care is be- ing seen as yet another in that list of seemingly immeasurble length of special benefits wanted by vir- tually everyone from the ‘govern- ment.’ Perhaps more importantly as we address the question of health care reform are is asking ourselves the right question, to wit: —Do we want to permanently remove Americans from worrying about the cost of health care from the need to remain healthy, and have care when ill? —Or do we want to perma- nently remove Americans from worrying about the cost of health care from the need to remain healthy, and have care when ill? —Or do we want to provide dollars for those citizens in need? It's a conceptual issue, and one which has not been part of the national debate. Do we, in fact, want to change the way we look at ourselves as a nation? We are, essentially, now a self reliant nation, expecting the best and brightest among us to rise up and seek the rewards found in the free enterprise system. What we would become with universal health care is a nation which has abandoned the notion of self reliance, instead choosing to depend upon a bureaucracy and deep pocket taxpayers to fund the idea that medocrity in every- thing is preferable to excellence for most. Behind the calls for health care reform are those basic questions, the answers to which will deter- mine far more than the future cost of aspirin, whether a doctor makes obscene amounts of money, or hospitals are money grubbing capitalistc institutions. In the larger sense, answers to these questions will decide whether we lose our freedom to fail. And to succeed. NEXT WEEK: PART THREE. Jackson (continued from page 1) lot or record. “It's a lot of record with ‘a valid deed,” he said, “so I can't deny it.” “Solicitor Blythe Evans ques- tioned Krupa's reasoning saying “If that's true, then you can build on a 25-foot lot if it's a lot of record,” Krupa agreed, saying, “as long as the house fits in the required setbacks.” ‘However, both Evans and board president Walter Glogowski con- curred that the matter should be ~ taken up with the planning com- mission. After the meeting, Vickie Humenansky said that prior to the subdivision, the matter had gone before the planning com- mission which recommended that a building permit not be issued for the'lot in question. She said a member of the planning commis- sion later told her “just because a “lot 'is a lot or record, doesn’t nec- essarily mean it can be built on even if it does meet the setbacks.” Evans announced he received a letter from the township engi- neer, Jack Defazio, indicating find- ings that mining operations con- ducted by American Asphalt in the Hillside Rd. area are occur- ring beyond township mining lines by 800: feet. The findings were ‘based’ on a study by Pasonick Engineering from which measure- "ments were determined by a topo- graphical map. A motion was passed authoriz- ing the solicitor to send a letter to American Asphalt informing them of the violation. Evans said if the issue is not resolved, the township can “file with a district justice concerning the matter.” Township resident John Filip suggested getting an immediate injunction to stop the mining. However, Evans remarked that this is more a “matter of uphold- ing the integrity of the law,” not so much as creating any damage. PHARMACY 1-159 N. Memorial Hwy, *.. Shavertown, PA 675-1191 Evans said that an injunction would only be granted if they could show “irreparable damage to the public,” which would be extremely expensive to the taxpayers and the township and therefore not an option the board would consider. Evans also mentioned that a poll was taken of 20 families in the township with 779 telephone exchanges who are paying toll charges to call nearby 675 or 696 numbers. However, he said, they don't want to switch from Bell to Commonwealth and have their numbers changed to 696. They justwant the toll charges removed, which Evans indicated may be difficult to achieve. President Glogowski an- nounced he received a copy of a letter from Senator Lemmond re- garding the re-examination of well water use at the State Correc- tional Institute, Dallas (SCID). SCID officials sent Lemmond cor- respondence indicting they will use well water only one day of the week, from May 1st through Oc- tober 30th, purchasing the bal- ance of the water through Penn- sylvania-American Water Co., the public water utility. For the re- maining winter months, the De- partment would draw only half of its water needs from the wells. . The letter from Lemmond states: “This action, and subse- quent monitoring by the Susquehanna River Basin Com- mission, may well be the answer to the concerns raised over the past years.” Representatives from the Back Mountain Youth Soccer Associa- tion attended to present a letter to the board requesting permission to use the township's recreation field for their fall soccer program from August lst to the end of November, providing the neces- sary equipment at their expense. Glogowski said they'll pass the letter on to the recreation board, « Silver Coins « Silver Dollars « U.S. Gold Coins COINS & JEWELRY 18 Church Street Dallas, Pennsylvania Next to CVS (formerly Rea & Detrick) WANTED TO BUY Paying Cash for « War, Buffalo Nickels e Indian Head Pennies » Gold & Silver Jewelry which he explained, is a “separate entity vested with the power of authority to make decisions,” even though the township owns the property. Soccer association president Pete Hoffman voiced concern say- ing that he talked with the head of the rec board several times and got conflicting answers. Hoffman said, “First he said if the field was ready we could use it, then he said the committee may try to get bas- ketball courts and a baseball field instead ” Charlotte Matza, secretary of the soccer association added that they need an answer soon in or- der to qualify for insurance cover- age. Glogowski suggested that they attend the next recreation board meeting, scheduled for Mar. 19 in the township building. Police chief Donald Jones re- ported that he sent a letter to PennDOT requesting them to in- spect guard rails at the intersec- tion of Follies and Huntsville Roads that are now in need of being repaired or replaced. He also said that efforts are being increased to control speed- ing on Huntsville and Chase Roads. LETTERS Seeks accident witness Editor: We were involved in an acci- dent on Sunday, March 3rd fol- lowing 11 o'clock Mass at St. Therese’s Church on Pioneer Ave., Shavertown. We are looking for someone who might have wit- nessed the altercation. By print- ing this article we are hoping to obtain some information. Please call 675-0422 with any informa- tion. 675-5872 Mon., Tues., Wed. 10 AM.-6 P.M. e Thurs. 10 A.M.-8:30 P.M. Fri. 10 AM.-7 P.M. « Sat. 10 AM.-6 P.M e Sun.-Closed - for 1996 was $3,550.00. LIBRARY By NANCY KOZEMCHAK The Back Mountain Memorial Library will be celebrating the month of March with the annual ‘Pennies for Periodicals’ campaign. The library currently subscribes to 101 magazines each year. The total cost of these subscriptions The pennies that are collected in the green jar during the month of March will be used to offset the cost of these magazines. Many of our patrons do collect their pennies through the months and bring jugs of them in to the library. Most recently, a kind patron brought in a plastic four gallon container filled with pen- nies. We will hold a contest in conjunction with the campaign, asking for an estimate of how many pennies you think are in the jug. The jug will be on display at the information desk in the li- As was Jack Hilsher Awhile back when I wrote for the late lamented Sunday Inde- pendent, my editor was discuss- ing possible subjects for my col- umn. (Not the dike expert editor, the one before that.) I remember him saying, “Jack, this is not the place of ‘think pieces!" ” So I never wrote any. I think I knew what he meant. And that carried over to my post at the Post...no think pieces, no politics, no school board fights: (When I proclaimed this I am certain my present editor looked relieved.) But there comes a time. ' And the time is now. I will take a swing at a subject so massive, so com- plex, so tough to explain that a truck full of columns would only scratch the surface. Unions. What brought this subject to the fore was a recent full page ad Guess how many pennies: ret in the jar and win a prize brary. There will be prizes awarded for the closest estimates to the actual amount of pennies in the jug. The contest will run through March 30. Forms for estimates are available at the library front desk. New books at the library: “Romeo” by Elise Title is a nerve- shattering major pscho-sexual thriller that will leave you breath- less. Rome: His is the courtship every woman dreams of. His is the seduction no woman survives. His victims were San Francisco's most invulnerable women—pro- fessionals, beautiful, smart. They eaglerly embraced his darkest fan- tasies. They just didn't expect to die. Dr. Melanie Rosen, leading psychiatric expert of serial killers, was his fifth victim—a victim of her own unctrollable desires. “Equation For Evil" by Philip Caputo is a razor-sharp novel, penetrating exploration of racism and violence in a contemporary America gone haywire. The story examines the anatomy of a hor- Union leader in The New York Times from strik- ing members of the Big Apple's Janitors’ Union. Under the head- line “An Appeal to the Members of All Unions," its highlights were as follows: “35,000 of us have been strik- ing office buildings since January 4. We need your help. This is your strike too. It is critical to the survival of organized labor. The outcome will affect you and your family. “If the multi-millionaire barons of real estate can crush our union it is simply a matter of time before your employer decides to crush your union. Real estate is the richest industry in America. If it can cut wages and destroy our union, no union and no union member is safe. If you cross a picket line, you hurt members of our local and you hurt members of your union. You hurt yourself too. "An injury to one is an injury to all’ was-born in-times of turmoil and every union is facing times of turmoil again. Please don't cross our picket lines.” Well, they went back to work and there are no more picket lines. But there is an everlasting con- trast to these workers who make $30,000 per year and wanted a of touch with his members." rific crime: a lone gunman has opened fire on a busload of Aian- American children in rural Cali- fornia, then turned the gun on himself after the attack. Special agent, Gabriel Chin, and forensic psychiatrist, Leander Heartwood are ordered to conduct a “psychi- atric autopsy” of the killer to de- termine his motive and state of mind. ils “Absolute Power” by David Baldacci combines the highest levels of political intrigue with big- money law, cutting-edge foren- sics, and the riveting search fora truth hidden within the power, of the Oval Office. Luther is a rare combination of thief and honor- able man. Now he’s the invisible eyewitness to an event that, if ever revealed, would shake America to its very roots. The story master- fully plumbs the depths of human greed, power, and corruption. That is the reading experience of the year: thrilling, shattering, and as provocative as it is relentlessly suspenseful. is real fat cat $15 per week raise. Their leader, one Gus Bevona, hauled down $422,727 in 1994. 1 have no figures for last year, but it would not be less. tf Bevona lives on Long Islarid where he pays as much in prop- erty taxes as his average union member earns in a year. He has a penthouse on Sixth Avenue con taining a large suite of rooms, two bathrooms, and a library. T here is also a 700-square ft. terrace overlooking lower Manhattan. . His home on Long Island was appraised at $860,000. The es’ tate features a cobblestone drive, an outdoor fountain, a 30x60 ft. pool, a raised hot tub and aca: bana. On 165’ of waterway lead- ing to the bay is an air conditioned boathouse with two powerboats; Commenting onall this, a ufion member said, “Paraphrasing'Bill Clinton, I don’t think this guy feels our pain.” A labor lawyer believes this labor leader to be ou} ‘He added, “Given what the average person in his union makes. for him to make over $400, 0001 1% obscene - no matter how hard tie works.” : Now. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers