React

LETTERS ON THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE

Hardy Ha’s
Anita Renfroe, the YouTube sensa-
tion, is definitely a lady who can
be funny and clean at the same time
(“Mirth Mother”). I saw Renfroe
perform last year, and she was
hysterical. We need more people
like her to keep us laughing.
Donna B ea m, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania

Healing Ideas?
I appreciated your article highlight-
ing some of the issues of health-
care reform (Quick Study: “Bill of
I had to put the
Health”). It confirmed that overtest-
ing and overbilling have led to the September humor issue down time
decline of our health-care system. after time to wipe tears from my
It has many problems, but before eyes and to relax my throbbing sides.
we mess it up more in the name of This was the best day brightener
reform, Washington needs to figure I’ve had in months. And by the way,
out what works and then slowly
repair what’s broken.
I think Americans have the best
B il l Coons, Woodstock, Georgia sense of humor.
Kathleen Ponikvar, Orwell, Ohio
Two things drive up health-care
costs: unethical lawsuits and I’m Canadian, and I’ve had hernia
bureaucracy. Let’s reduce those surgery, a rotator cuff repair, and
first instead of reducing quality four MRIs. My entire family has
JULIANWOLKENSTEIN.COM

for everyone. received care for some very compli-

Russel l E. Souz a , Schell City, Missouri cated conditions. The cost to me

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readersdigest.com 0/09 9

WHEN WILL THE RECESSION
END? … THE READER’S DIGEST
VERSION
We asked readers on our e-mail panel
to complete this sentence: “I’ll know
the recession is over when …” The
top indicator? When more jobs are
available (40%). Other telltale signs:
>> “… I’m able to sell my home for
at least the amount I originally paid
for it.” C. K., Fountain Hills, Arizona
>> “… people start smiling again.”
S. J., Bismarck, North Dakota
>> “… frugality is no longer a
popular topic.” T. M., Casper, Wyoming
>> “… I don’t feel guilty spending $20
on something I want but don’t need.”
G. D., Pleasant Grove, Utah
>> “… I have to turn work away (I’m
a self-employed carpenter).”
C. L., Harwich, Massachusetts
>> “… I can move out of my parents’
house.” K. S., Auburn, Maine
>> “… my employer stops cutting
benefits and actually gives me a raise.”
K . L., Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
>> “… my husband feels ‘safe’ enough
to take some time off from work.”
G. C., Owings Mills, Maryland
>> “… traffic jams are back.”
W. W., Hillside, New Jersey
>> “… I can sleep at night.”
H . K ., Hibbing, Minnesota
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for all of this? Nothing. I hear about
how Americans come together in
times of trouble, but the one thing
Americans have not come together
on is sharing the cost of health care.
I was in a gas station in Interna-
tional Falls, Minnesota, and there
was a donation jar for an 11-year-old
girl with stage III cancer and no
insurance. That would never happen
in Canada. Do not be afraid of
health-care reform.
Doug Jensen, Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada
Off Track
You’ve got to be kidding: June
Griffith was nearly killed by an on-
coming train (Heroes: “Dangerous
Crossing”), which obliterated her
car, and she was given a ticket for
“inattentive driving”? The poor
woman was lost at night and got
stuck! The police officers should
apologize to Griffith, refund any
fine, and remove the violation
from her driving record.
Josh Baer, West Jordan, Utah
Grizzly Tale
As a wildlife filmmaker who lives
in grizzly bear country, I read with
great interest about how Ron
Leming Sr. saved his son from a
bear attack (“Arrow to the Heart”).
While a great tragedy was averted,
if the pair had carried pepper
spray, they could have defended
themselves—and that bear would
still be roaming Wyoming’s
majestic backcountry.
John Shier, Livingston, Montana
readersdigest.com 11/09
The grizzly was provoked and acted
on instinct. This innocent animal
was killed because a father and son
wanted a “trophy” elk. Shame!
N ina Lomba rd ino, Lyme, Connecticut
More Than a Game
All kids should have a role model
as terrific and caring as Roger Barta
(“Life Coach”). So many team lead-
ers want to win, often at the expense
of their players’ mental and physical
health. Learning about Barta’s style
should be mandatory for all coaches.
J oa nna Rhoton, Sherman, Texas
Gun Control
My boyfriend is a Marine serving
in Afghanistan. When I read that our
troops are being killed and injured
by stolen American arms, I was
furious (Outrageous! “Friends Like
These …”). Why doesn’t the govern-
ment do a better job of tracking
guns and protecting our troops? I
hope this article provokes people
to take action.
( C AT ) J I L L J O H N S O N F R O M G L A M O R P U S S B Y J U L I E
Ashley Taurman, Placentia, California
If our government can keep track of
mad cow disease, surely it should be
JACKSON, CHRONICLE BOOKS (2009)
able to monitor the military’s guns.
M. M., via Internet
Eking Out Ink
Janice Lieberman said most of
us spend $10 to $20 for a single
cartridge of black ink (Here’s the
Deal: “School’s In”). I’d like to
know where most people shop. I
 spend $37.05 for a single
cartridge of black ink.
M a ril y n Erickson,
Springfield, Massachusetts
I visited each of the three
(GRIFFIN) HAL HOROWITZ/ WIREIMAGE/ GETTY IMAGES
sites for ink cartridges
that Lieberman recom-
mended. I have a Lex-
mark printer, and each of
(HORSE) JULIANWOLKENSTEIN.COM;
the sites listed prices that
are at least $4 higher than
what I pay at Target—
even for the recycled
ones. And that’s without tax and
postage. B. Gier, Prospect Heights, Illinois
Janice Lieberman writes: The price of
ink cartridges ranges widely, depend-
ing on your printer model, the size of
Now Hair This
Wigs on horses? Livestock haute
couture is quite a hoot. And if you like
pony pinups, may I refer you to
kittywigs.com? Colleen M. Schiebold,
Fort Worth, Texas
I think the horse on the
cover of the September
issue and comedian Kathy
Griffin have the same hair-
dresser! Jimmie Jo Hixon,
Tavares, Florida
the cartridge, and the manufacturer.
Many consumers spend about $20
(or less) on cartridges. While Target’s
pricing is excellent, the sites we sug-
gested offer a larger selection and,
often, better prices. ■