Unborn is not un-human
I am responding to Salena De La Cruz’s column (“Health care for ALL,” ODE, Oct. 25).
I just wanted to thank you for speaking out for the unborn. Unborn does not mean un-human. This is how I feel. This issue is a bit personal to me because I live with the guilt of my ex-girlfriend’s abortion. With that said, I am 100 percent opposed to abortion.
I feel this way: A doctor’s number one priority is to ensure the life of his patient(s). That includes the unborn baby. The doctor needs to do whatever is necessary to make sure that mother and child both survive in the case of the pregnancy endangering the mother’s life.
Whatever your view is on abortion, that should be an agreeable stance, right? If you don’t agree, that’s OK. I won’t judge you. It’s just how I feel.

Phillip Watson

Texas

Measure 23 hurts

Oregon’s economy
The editorial (“Yes on Measure 23 give health care basics to Oregon,” ODE, Oct. 28) endorsing Measure 23 is poorly argued and reasoned. True, Measure 23 increases income tax by 8 percent, but the bill also grants power to adjust income taxes in the future in order to pay for the health care system to the Oregon Comprehensive Health Care Finance Board.
In addition to undermining the legislative power to tax, the 8 percent initial increase in income tax will have a large negative impact on the economy of Oregon. For someone making only $12,500 a year, the new tax rate of 17 percent (the old rate plus 8 percent) will cost an additional $1,000 per year. In many cases this is more than health care premiums from a private insurer.
Furthermore, some state representatives estimate that Measure 23 would cost $20 billion to implement and, as stated in the voter’s pamphlet, $1.7 billion per year. This is a tremendous cost for a state already in serious financial trouble. Coupled with the lower disposable income of every resident because of increased taxation, and the anti-business 11.5 percent hike in payroll taxes, Measure 23 is the final blow to a moribund economy.
Passing this measure is one way to ensure that Oregon’s economy never gets better. Basic macroeconomics principles demonstrate that increased taxation will only drive us further into recession and cause immeasurable difficulties for Oregonians in the future. A no vote on Measure 23 is the only fiscally responsible choice.

Tim Dreier

junior, economics

managing editor

Oregon Commentator