On L.A.’s broken parking meters; the ‘Blue Dog’ Democrats and Obama; and remembering Merlin Olsen.

Meter madness

Re “Price of failure,” March 11

Here’s my question for the city: The wind-up parking meters worked for decades and never seemed to fail as often as the newer models do. Why did the city replace a proven device with a more expensive device more prone to break down? I would hate to think someone did this as a “sweetheart deal” to allow the parking meter manufacturers to make more money.

Now we have a situation in which people don’t know whether they can park at failed meters or not, parking officers are wasting time because they are not properly instructed, and we’re all frustrated with a device that makes everyone’s lives more complicated instead of easier.

I vote to go back to the old reliable wind-up meters. They’re wireless!

Hank Grover
Van Nuys

The Times misses an important point: If a parking meter is broken, it does not give someone the right to park for free all day.

Someone can legally park at a broken meter without being cited as long as they don’t exceed the posted time limit.

Many cities around the state have adopted this policy. I am surprised it wasn’t mentioned in the article.

Don Norte
Hollywood
The writer is past president of the California Public Parking Assn.

Healthcare by the numbers

Re “Cost control’s the key,” Editorial, March 12

As is the case with Democrats, Times editorial writers allow ideology to blind them to reality.

We tried changing the reimbursement system in the 1980s and ‘90s. It was called the HMO revolution.

The HMO model rewards companies and even doctors for doing less. It didn’t take long for patients to figure out they didn’t like it -- and, as the initial draconian denials were gradually eased, healthcare costs continued their inexorable escalation. Now, HMO medicine is essentially equivalent to the “fee for service” system.

For the type of healthcare reform that you and the Democrats favor, American culture must shift to a more European view of the world.

Until U.S. citizens are willing to tolerate rationing, long waits and inconvenience in exchange for the “greater good,” universal health coverage will remain elusive.

James L. Hardeman
Fullerton

Your editorial offered specifics of the healthcare bills that are missing among the sound bites and the he said/she said reports that dominate most of the media coverage. The public -- at least me -- needs more of that to understand what is being proposed.

However, your assertion that the “Medicare Advantage plans would lose their extra subsidies” needs to be amended to read “unless you live in Florida.”

Back-room deals in the current version of the Senate bill raise questions about the validity of the whole process and are the basis of objections by many -- especially seniors.

Americans want a set of rules that apply equally and fairly to everyone, regardless of where you live and who your congressional representative or senator is.

John C. McKinney
Cerritos

The ‘Blue Dogs’ and reform

Re “Will the ‘Blue Dogs’ hunt for Obama?,” Opinion, March 14

Doyle McManus’ column was just another example of the corporate-owned media’s duplicity.

The “Blue Dog” Democrats have received loads of media attention, but they only number 54 members. The Progressive Caucus is among the largest caucuses in Congress with 83 members, and they demand the restoration of the “public option.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi knows the caucus exists -- she used to be a member -- but she’s no longer willing to negotiate, despite polls showing the American people support the public option.

Healthcare reform is probably dead because Congress and President Obama are now wedded to a corporate-approved but popularly hated proposal.

Joe Crompton
Los Angeles

McManus paints a good picture of the fix that Blue Dog Democrats are in on healthcare reform.

The source of their problem is that, based on their recent experience with both Democratic and Republican administrations, voters just don’t believe that government spending of another trillion dollars or two will result in better or more affordable medical care.

They don’t understand why waste and fraud in Medicare and Medicaid can only be reduced if the government first spends that kind of money on more government care.

If Blue Dog Democrats are fiscally conservative and represent districts with the same views, why should they sacrifice themselves at the next election for something they don’t believe in?

Richard E. Ralston
Newport Beach
The writer is executive director of Americans for Free Choice in Medicine.

Preparing for the Big One

Re “Paying for the Big One,” Editorial, March 10

Current earthquake insurance, with its high deductibles, provides only catastrophic insurance coverage that most homeowners will never use.

My recommendation has always been to retrofit the residence to current seismic standards and forget about insurance. Retrofitting costs about the same as paying seven to 10 years of insurance premiums and provides the homeowner with permanent protection.

Even in a big quake, there will be architectural damage, glass breakage and so on. This type of loss is to be expected and usually is not too costly to repair. Houses built after 1972 should be able to resist earthquakes with nominal or moderate damage. These losses are usually smaller than the deductible amount.

I had hoped The Times would promote a more proactive approach to earthquake safety than to buy insurance and hope for the best.

Al Geller
Ventura
The writer is a structural engineer.

Olsen made a difference

Re “Merlin Olsen, 1940 - 2010,” Obituary, March 12

Merlin Olsen’s long history with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Southern California chapter may not be known to many.

It began in 1973 when we asked his help in getting our first Dinner of Champions underway. Over the years, Merlin brought in not only local athletes but sports heroes as diverse as Patty Berg, Bob Feller and Gale Sayers, to name only a few. The event netted only $35,000 that first year, but ultimately it has brought in millions for multiple sclerosis research and services.

It was Merlin’s personal respect among professional athletes in all sports, in broadcasting and in entertainment that drove this event for so many years.

He did not just lend his name; he was on the phone recruiting and on the stage in a tutu. He personally brought in Toyota, our generous corporate sponsor for so many years. He initiated and did not wait to be asked. The history of our organization is filled with examples of great volunteers. During his years of involvement, Merlin was among the most dedicated.

Edith Grady
San Marino

Some 30 years ago, I was flying back to Los Angeles from New York. My aisle seat happened to be next to Olsen, who was stuffed into the middle seat.

As I weighed about 150 pounds, I asked if he’d like to switch seats. He politely but firmly declined, and we enjoyed a pleasant chat for the remainder of the trip.

Fred Benes
Apple Valley