Published: July 16, 2008 03:23 pm            

In Your View — 07/17/08

Vote for country, not your party

I see Randy Webb still believes that only Democrats are to blame for Americas' woes. (In Your View, July 16).

Respectfully, it’s the many failed policies of the Bush Administration and a do-nothing-about-it Congress.

As Mr. Webb cited gasoline prices, I will only point out that in January of 2001 it was $1.52 a gallon nationally. In July of 2008, gasoline is $4.09 a gallon. ($4.38 in Hawaii)

America now has the best government corporate dollars can buy. We can start to change that with this election. It is really quite simple when you peel away all the clutter.

Like an individual, a nation has to make tough choices. When your income is less that what you spend a month, the upkeep will bankrupt you.

So when you cast your vote, forget all the smoke. To paraphrase President Ronald Reagan, "Are you better off than you were eight years ago"?

This year vote for your country, not your party.

Charles Joyce, Honolulu, Hawaii



PEPP has had a positive impact

The Professional Education Preparation Program (PEPP) has been a fixture at the University of Kentucky’s Science Outreach Center for 25 years.

Its mission is to aid promising students from rural areas, such as Ashland, in gaining acceptance to medical or dental school. In these 25 years, hundreds of PEPP students have achieved this goal and many have remained in Kentucky to practice

This year, the University of Kentucky lost $20 million in state aid. As a result, PEPP’s budget was cut $30,000. PEPP will end because it lacks the funds to be able to support all the programs and students.

I understand that the current economy requires that we allocate funds wisely, but an investment in the education of these young people is an investment in Kentucky’s.

Money spent in support of PEPP will show a return in the health and productivity of the state for decades to come.

As the baby boom generation approaches retirement age, the demand for quality medical care will only increase.

The state must act to meet this challenge. If it is supported, PEPP will continue its tradition of success.

PEPP alumni go on to provide quality medical care with a degree of understanding and compassion that can only come from a lifetime of living and learning in some of the poorest and most remote areas of our state. They work long hours under challenging circumstances because they love their neighbors and they believe in the profession..

If you can send a donation of any amount, it would be greatly appreciated. If you cannot but know a way to help our cause, please contact us at this address: PEPP Office, Attn: Carol Leslie, 204 Medical Center Annex 5 (Wilford Lab) 0078, Lexington, Ky. 40526. The telephone number is (859)257-1968.

Emily Nichols, 2004 Boyd County High graduate

        

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