Google versus China’s government; healthcare reform; L.A.’s foster care troubles

A Net fight

Re “Google pulls plug on China search engine,” March 23

Google’s decision to pull out of mainland China demonstrates that corporations can flex as much political muscle as nations when they have the right leadership.

Google stands to lose a significant amount of revenue, but the Chinese government stands to lose far more as the country’s young people grow increasingly dissatisfied with their leaders’ hard-line tactics.

It’s a remarkable moment in history when a technology giant can take a leadership role in coercing an oppressive regime to change. “Don’t be evil,” indeed.

John Wolfenden
Sherman Oaks

Healthcare, the morning after

Re “Democrats celebrate their victory,” March 24

After The Times reported the passage of the healthcare reform bill Monday, I naturally got up Tuesday expecting, as I had been warned by Chicken Little, to find that the sky had fallen, the Dow had dropped 500 points and the moon had turned blue. But evidently not yet.

And now I’m wondering, is this going to be a long wait? Because I have other stuff to do, guys.

Mary Rouse
Los Angeles

As someone working in the trenches, I want to tell you what it was like for me the day after the health insurance reform bill passed.

I am a registered nurse working in a community college health center in Orange County where most of the patients are uninsured. Tuesday I heard “Thank goodness it passed!” and “Now I will be able to get back on my dad’s insurance!” and “So, you mean that even though I have asthma, I might actually be able to get health insurance?” and “Wow, that is so great!” and “Maybe now I can get back on my medication” and “How do I sign up?”

Not one patient was worried about Soviets coming into their living rooms.

Susan Wong
Orange

FDR’s program was called the New Deal. President Truman’s was called the Fair Deal. Vice President Joe Biden has aptly named President Obama’s the “Big . . . Deal.”

As a retired county employee insured by a nonprofit HMO Medicare Advantage program that will be eliminated under the new healthcare plan, I would call it the “Bum Deal.”

Gary A. Robb
Los Feliz

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Upon passage of healthcare by the House, Obama said, “We proved that this government -- a government of the people and by the people -- still works for the people.”

How does this hold true? It was a completely partisan vote. Our country has reached ridiculous partisan levels. If one shows any liberal tendencies, he or she is labeled a socialist or communist. Republicans, in turn, are seen as conservative fascist rednecks.

I am exaggerating. Nevertheless, I am a conservative with respect to economic issues and a liberal with respect to many social issues -- so where does that leave me? I believe there are many people like me, yet we have no adequate representation these days. Perhaps we do need a third political party.

Although I support parts of healthcare reform (including universal coverage), the overall bill represents just another partisan joke.

Ed Balazs
Manhattan Beach

Regardless of the merits of Obama’s healthcare legislation, I fear that the process that created this law will do to the prospect of bipartisan cooperation between Democrats and Republicans in Washington what the O.J. Simpson murder trial did for race relations in the country.

Mike Barclay
Glendale

Incivility

Re “Apology for heated outburst,” March 23

I am ashamed of the behavior of representatives in Congress, shouting “Baby killer,” “You lie” and so forth and making claims that new laws will ruin the country and lead to Armageddon.

It is time to grow up and act responsibly. These reprehensible statements have incited unstable followers to spit on other legislators and shout racial epithets at those who disagree with their position. We have had attacks on government buildings with an airplane and guns.

In these uncertain times, we need steady leaders in Washington, not rabble-rousers. Grow up or go home.

Keith Herried
Los Angeles

Sick and GOP?

Re “Healthy skepticism,” Opinion, March 23

Reading Robert Hollister’s description of his dire insurance situation made me feel fortunate (I’m not dying, but I am “uninsurable” due to a disease I acquired after a blood transfusion at age 12).

Here’s my question: Are there no Republicans in similar situations? The need for reform seems so obvious to people like us (and those who care about us), and I imagine that a better bill might have been crafted if there weren’t so many people working against successful reform.

Tara Cooper
Long Beach

Anxious voter

Re “Pinning down the benefits,” March 23

How refreshing that the assorted experts in government and in the media are finally explaining the new healthcare package passed by the House. But why weren’t these explanations made public long before the House voted? Oh, I forgot! When you formulate legislation behind closed doors in smoked-filled rooms, you must never let the public in on what you’re doing.

This illustrates perfectly that the executive and the legislature are best controlled by opposing parties. Only then can we expect fair government supported by an informed public. I can’t wait until November.

Wayne D. Kerr
La Crescenta

Two sides to foster care

Re “Foster care outrage,” Opinion, March 20

It is ridiculous that these children are being taken from one abusive guardian and given to another.

Trish Ploehn, who is in charge of the Department of Children and Family Services, should be fired. It was her responsibility. Her agency should have ensured that the home to which it sent the children was safe. There needs to be serious changes in the system before any more children die terrible deaths.

Rachel Behm
Coto de Caza

I enjoy reading Tim Rutten’s columns. His erudition and incisiveness are second to none. However, now he has stepped into the unfamiliar realm of child welfare and has called for Ploehn to lose her job.

I have been a supervising social worker at the Department of Children and Family Services, or DCFS, for more than 20 years and am aware of the complexity of this case.

I believe I speak for most DCFS staff when I note with dismay the persistently negative reporting about our agency in The Times.

In the years that I have been a supervisor, I have witnessed dramatic, positive changes here, including reducing the number of children in foster care from 50,000 to under 20,000 in the last 11 years.

I urge The Times to consider covering some of the many daily miracles that occur as a result of DCFS intervention.

Kane Phelps
Los Angeles

Fighting L.A.’s billboard blight

Re “Supergraphics coming down in Hollywood,” March 20

City Atty. Carmen Trutanich is attempting to remove these illegal billboards. For his efforts, he has been called “heavy handed” and a “bully.”

I see an official guided by the law. He will find me standing by his side, figuratively, while he fights to remove this blight from our city.

Stan Gilson
West Hills