The old educate the young, the young support the old

The old educate the young, the young support the old
EDITOR:
This letter is in response to a letter of March 20 stating that it's not fair that the writer has to pay taxes that go toward supporting Youngstown City Schools. He believes that it is unfair to pay taxes that are the life blood of our school system because he has no children going to school. By that logic, I shouldn't have to pay into the Social Security system. Why should I? I don't benefit from it and likely never will. But I'm sure the writer would have no problem taking the money that I worked so hard for but had to hand over to the Social Security fund.
Also, within the next few years, many of the children he so reluctantly supports through taxes will be entering the work force and giving their hard earned dollars so that the writer, who said he was 58 years old, can live comfortably during his retirement. Is it fair that we should have to pay to support our elders? Of course it is. I am in no way opposed to the Social Security system. I think that it is important to support our elders who cannot work to support themselves. That's part of living in a caring community.
A well functioning school system is also an important key to growing a community, but the ignorant mindset of people who continually defeat school levies and deny our next generation a quality education only further contributes to the demise of our beloved Youngstown area. I understand that we should respect our elders, and I know that there are those out there who understand the importance of supporting our schools. But I cannot respect anyone who couldn't care less about the future of our children and our community.
JONATHAN BLACKANN
Austintown
This vet has no complaints about VA system treatment
EDITOR:
My attention was drawn immediately to the March 19 Vindicator headline, "Vets express frustration with VA medical system."
As a Vietnam vet who has used the VA system extensively in the past 10 years, I disagree completely with the assertion or assumption that the local and regional VA system is anything less than first-rate.
I have been treated for everything from routine visits and testing (x-rays, bloodwork, urinalysis, eye exams) to more involved things including badly sprained ankle, plantar fascitis, weight and smoking cessation classes -- all the way to angioplasty, which was done in Cleveland. I also receive numerous prescriptions at a reduced rate.
This is most important to me as I am unable to obtain health insurance due to pre-existing conditions.
My doctor's and nurses have been superb and treated me with respect and with diligence in analysis and treatment. My questions (and there were many) concerning my care were always answered completely and on a level that I could understand. I always felt that I was a "partner" in choosing the best course of treatment.
My doctors in Youngstown, Dr. Marnejon , Dr. Yeropoli and Dr. Coleman, and my surgeon in Cleveland, Dr. Shah, and the coordinator in Cleveland, Steve Rusterholtz, could not have been more qualified or caring.
The support staff at Youngstown is also first-rate. From the schedulers, to the patient care coordinators, to the pharmacists and even the security personnel, I am always treated courteously and with respect.
I also see private physicians, not related to the VA, and the totality of care at the VA , including administrative support, meets or even exceeds the high standards set by private practice doctors.
MICHAEL J. DeNIRO
Youngstown
Watch for 666 any day now
EDITOR:
On March 8, the Pennsylvania daily number was 777. On March 17, the number was 444.
Is it curious how often duplicate daily numbers are drawn in Pennsylvania? This amazing occurrence at close intervals has been happening for years.
Does anyone else wonder?
HELEN SCHARRER
Youngstown