The News Courier encourages letters to the editor. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and include name, address and telephone number for verification. Submissions that do not meet requirements are subject to editing. Writers are limited to one published letter every 30 days. Send letters to P.O. Box 670, Athens, AL 35613 or email to lora@athensnews-courier.com. The deadline for letters is Wednesday at noon.

Time to tax the rich

Dear Editor:

For the last 40 years, the most unspeakable utterance in U.S. politics has been “tax the rich.” One would be accused of envy, class hatred, bolshevism or terrorism.

Before COVID-19, the Republicans were running up the deficit through the roof to stimulate the economy for no discernible reason. They felt like they didn’t need a reason.

During the second quarter of 2020, we are prepared to borrow $3 trillion. Borrowed money by definition must be paid back. Most of us don’t have that kind of money. Taxing the rich is no longer ideological speculation; it’s survival. We need to dig where there are potatoes.

Sincerely,

Ryan Amptmeyer

Elkmont

Hospital Week begins May 10

Dear Editor:

Most heroes don’t appear until you need them. We don’t give them much thought until we’re in a crisis, and our gratitude often fades quickly as we get back to our normal lives.

During these last several weeks in dealing with the pandemic, we’ve seen an outpouring of gratitude for the 90,000 men and women who work in Alabama’s hospitals. Communities have showered them with meals, prayers, extra masks and lots of blue lights and various colored ribbons. These gestures have meant the world to our hospital staff members and have provided the strength to sustain their superhero abilities.

As someone who represents hospitals in this state, I could not be more proud of their efforts and want to take time during National Hospital Week to encourage everyone to thank them and to continue to support our health care heroes long after this virus is gone. Again, most of us hope we never have to go to a hospital, but when we need one, we want a good one nearby. While we may take for granted the fact that hospital employees and their doctors are there every day and night of the year waiting to care for us, they don’t take us for granted and are always ready to help. It’s what they do. It’s in their DNA to care for people when they are most vulnerable.

So, while I encourage you to take a minute this week and thank someone you know who works at a hospital, I also urge you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers throughout the year. They do extraordinary work on a daily basis to keep our communities healthy and safe.

Sincerely,

Dr. Donald E. Williamson, president

Alabama Hospital Association

Montgomery