The missing $6.6 billion of U.S. funds in Iraq; a first look at California redistricting; more on Rep. Anthony Weiner

Medical role models

Re “ ‘American-style’ health system unnerves Britons,” June 13

I have lived with the British, Australian and U.S. healthcare systems and can say that the U.S. system is by far the worst. The British and Australian systems are single-payer, government-run operations that residents in both countries would not change.

Only in the U.S. have I found bureaucratic meddling in the doctor-patient relationship; only in the U.S. have I experienced healthcare rationing; only in the U.S. is healthcare dependent on where you live and who employs you; and only in the U.S. can a person be bankrupted by medical expenses.

So please tell me why the U.S. clings to a system that provably, by any criteria, is ineffective and inefficient.

Laurie Pane

Burbank

Following the money

Re “Where is the $6.6 billion?,” June 13

The surreal image of Pentagon officials stuffing 20 cargo planes full of shrink-wrapped bricks of $100 bills and flying them to Baghdad, where the loot was distributed — with virtually no financial controls — in gunnysacks and pickup trucks conjures a scene from a Kurt Vonnegut novel.

Of course the money is missing. That’s what happens to hoards of untraceable cash in a corrupt, unstable country.

This is a parable of America’s foreign aid: vast sums of money, wasted. Heads should roll, but won’t.

Mark Pulliam

San Diego

The loss of $6.6 billion for Iraqi “projects” is an outrage. Americans need jobs, social services have been cut, school systems are being whittled away and our infrastructure is in disrepair.

U.S. officials “did not have the time or staff to keep financial controls”? That is an insult to every taxpayer in this country.

I am a teacher. Might I suggest that next time, the government trust the money to a group of teachers? They would make sure that every dollar went where it was supposed to go, with plenty to spare for “other projects.”

Who in the Bush administration will be held accountable?

Doreen Bernknopf

Agoura Hills

A new political landscape

Re “Maps draw a new political landscape,” June 11

Redistricting by an independent panel rather than officeholders is just one factor that may alter the political landscape. Others are open primaries and the fact that the largest increase in voter registration has been in the “decline to state” group.

This could lead to more issue-oriented primaries and a declining influence of the big-money donors of both parties. Independent voters may finally gain an opportunity to moderate the extremists of both parties.

It would be a mistake to expect those in power to give up without a fight.

The independence of the redistricting panel will probably be challenged, and incumbents who survive by picking their voters will shamelessly fight to the end. The media’s focus should be on attempts to subvert these changes.

David Mathews

Downey

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission has really sprung a pleasant surprise on us: new jobs created and an uptick in the economy by the sale of housing because politicians will be scrambling for new addresses in different districts.

Bart Hake

Santa Ana

Re “San Dimas district offers a microcosm of changes,” June 11

Marlen Garcia, the Democratic mayor pro tem of Baldwin Park, was quoted as saying, “I knew I needed someone in office who was my color skin, spoke my language and understood my living conditions and culture.”

Such words would be no surprise coming from a hate-group member. However, as a Democrat, I do not think such sentiments have a place in the California Democratic Party.

Is Garcia planning to run for higher office? If so, perhaps the career of former Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante could provide a cautionary tale. Just one very small slip of the tongue had unfortunate consequences for him.

Elected officials are expected to represent and be respectful toward all the members of their constituencies.

Rita Sanford

Encinitas

On stem cells

Re “Stem cell agency falls far short,” Business, June 8

Contrary to what Michael Hiltzik writes, California Institute of Regenerative Medicine funding has created synergies that are increasing the value of those investments.

There are many examples just at UC San Francisco. CIRM’s shared lab grant allowed us to expand on an existing early commitment from the university to this emerging field, and now that lab enables progress not just on CIRM projects but also other state-funded research. CIRM’s partial funding of our new stem cell building allowed the university to free up space to grow existing programs in related disciplines.

Most important, stem cell research is advancing the health sciences overall: It is the study of the fundamental processes of human development and what sometimes goes wrong. As such, it informs our understanding of birth defects, cancer and diseases of aging. This is in addition to progress toward treatments for heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injury.

Arnold Kriegstein

San Francisco

The writer is director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCSF.

Weiner’s side

Re “Obama hints that Weiner should resign,” June 14

Is the behavior of Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) worth his resignation?

Weiner’s wife works for Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose own husband had a sexual relationship with a young woman. Bill Clinton’s past behavior is irrelevant now, and his wife is secretary of State. Her political life would be different had her husband’s career been cut short.

Perhaps the American media should learn from France’s and steer clear of politicians’ sex lives. Yes, Weiner’s sexual appetites are distracting, but the fact that he can lose his job serving the people who voted for him is arguably more distracting.

Mat Copas

Cali, Colombia

Dying wishes

Re “ ‘Dr. Death’ was just a sideshow,” Opinion, June 12

Betty Rollin’s excellent article relegates Jack Kevorkian to the sidelines of those who would constructively advocate “death with dignity.”

The fact that two states, Oregon and Washington, have enacted laws to provide for peaceful end-of-life solutions in spite of Kevorkian is a credit to the voters of those states. Much credit also goes to the Death With Dignity National Center, which has fought for similar laws throughout the country.

It is hard to understand how anyone can watch a family member endure constant pain for weeks and not be in favor of a legal, safe and dignified death law. For those with religious reservations, please follow your beliefs and let the rest of us have the option of a dignified death.

Robert J. Banning

Pasadena

Alabama drama

Re “Alabama enacts strict immigration law,” June 10

Conducting mandatory witch-hunts at school and making it a crime to knowingly give an illegal immigrant a ride are going a little too far. Not only is it mean-spirited, it’s downright un-American. My hope is that the American Civil Liberties Union is successful in its lawsuit against the state.

In the meantime, I would like to see a nationwide boycott of Alabama. Republican Gov. Robert Bentley and the rest of those in favor of the new immigration law appear to have a severe case of xenophobia. As far as I’m concerned, it’s best to stay away.

JoAnn Lee Fran

Clearwater, Fla.