Letters to the editor | Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019: Howze, Harder and their congressional race

Howze has the right tools

Ted Howze is educated, knowledgeable, experienced in practical issues. Ted begins doing something with the seriousness the action requires. And he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty.

Two weeks ago, a friend and I were gathering signatures for a couple petitions. The local petition was for congressional candidate Ted Howze so he could get on our March 3 Primary ballot with voter support rather than a filing fee, which he did. Ted joined us after lunch, and I was surprised to see him, but he laughed and said he wouldn’t ask volunteers to do anything he wouldn’t do.

Ted’s great with people. He listens, asks questions, explains issues, and when appropriate, he lets out his humorous twist to provoke laughter.

Ted hadn’t been there long when a guy in a new truck with a flat tire pulled into the parking lot. The driver stared, scratching his head, trying to locate the tools but didn’t know what to do. Ted didn’t hesitate and went right over to introduce himself. The next thing I noticed, he was showing the guy how to swap out a spare tire.

Harder is making a difference

Growing up in California in a family of values and morals, life was good. You were proud to be a Californian; public schools were best in the nation and the place everyone wanted to be. The weather was great, and massive wildfires weren’t heard of, but often you would hear people saying that politicians were like attorneys — they couldn’t be trusted. That came to fruition. They seemed to serve their own interests.

Recently, I learned of Congressman Josh Harder; not fitting the mold of past politicians, he is involved with the community and working for the betterment of the people. Last week, one of my adult sons forwarded me a Facebook page of Harder breaking ground at the new veterans hospital in French Camp. My son later informed me that he, his brother, and mother voted for Harder. He serves the people first and not himself. He is truly making a difference.

Honesty in politics

My family has lived in the Modesto area since the ‘80s, and as far as I can tell, Josh Harder is the best representative we’ve ever had. He listens to his constituents — especially seniors and veterans — and intercedes on their behalf with phone calls and letters to governmental agencies. I am very happy that I voted for him and I shall do so again next year.

However, I want Harder to step up on the national stage and craft legislation similar to the Truth in Advertising law, aimed at our political process. It is not legal for a carmaker to advertise that its car can fly when, in fact, the car cannot fly. But it is currently legal for a politician to publicly claim that he has no dealings with Russia while he is building a hotel in Moscow and gifting a top floor to Vladimir Putin.

A law is needed to protect the democratic process by making it a felony for any candidate or elected official to knowingly, publicly tell a substantial lie to voters. It is reasonable to expect all honest legislators to insist that their colleagues be honest, too.

Down with Medicare for all

I’m tired of politicians talking about Medicare for all. Some imply that Medicare is free. Medicare is not free. I pay $135 a month. We all pay based on our income, and for some to get it free will mean the rest of us who are paying will pay even more.

Medicare for all is not the answer. We need to reform our healthcare system. Ted Howze is running for Congress, and he wants to do that. Ted thinks the current system puts profits before patients. I agree. I saw this first hand with my own son. Like Ted’s first wife, my son died before he should have.

Ted Howze has a plan to reform our healthcare system, and his plan puts patients first.

This story was originally published December 3, 2019 at 12:24 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor | Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019: Howze, Harder and their congressional race."