Letter a scare tactic

In response to Lee Koch's letter on June 16 ("Johanns scare tactics"), Sen. Mike Johanns did not spend "nine-tenths of his time arguing against a single-payer health care system." In fact, Johanns spent one paragraph on the topic.

The remainder of Johanns' op-ed contained thoughtful insight into the scope and causes of the problem, arguments why bigger government is not the solution to the problem and fiscally responsible positions to fix the problem. And this is a problem that can be fixed without a public plan.

In regard to the public health insurance option, Koch also has his facts wrong. Funding this plan will cost well over $1 trillion over the next 10 years, will be an excuse for massive tax increases on the middle class, will result in health care rationing and ultimately will lead to a single-payer system because of the elimination of competition.

Jacob Hacker, a writer and thinker for the far left, while speaking at the Tides Foundation on July 21 about the type of plan being proposed by Democrats, said: "Someone once said to me, 'This is a Trojan horse for single-payer,' and I said, 'Well, it's not a Trojan horse, right? It's just right there.' I'm telling you, we're going to get there."

What's unfortunate is that Koch misrepresented both Johanns' positions and the concerns of the public health care insurance option and appears to be the only person engaging in deceptive half-truth politics.

Todd Bowman, Lincoln

Trade deals important

Thanks to the Journal Star for recognizing the importance of trade and trade agreements in its June 18 editorial ("Politics dog trade agreement"). President Barack Obama is missing the point and ignoring the needs of agriculture in considering trade agreements unimportant.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau supports the South Korea Free Trade Agreement especially because it will help us regain what was once the third-largest market for Nebraska and U.S. beef. Nebraska is first in the country in red meat production and second in the number of cattle, so our farmers and ranchers and our state's economy have a great deal to gain with the reopening of a very important market.

South Korea wants to import U.S. pork as well. Right now, our pork producers are struggling financially, and a new market would help many of them continue in the pork business.

Free trade with South Korea also would allow us to help supply the protein needs of a key U.S. ally in Southeast Asia.

Keith Olsen, president, Nebraska Farm Bureau

A leafy legacy

The legacy of former Mayor Helen Boosalis is on display all around Lincoln and will be for generations to come.

As mayor, Boosalis made it a priority to plant trees throughout Lincoln, especially in the downtown area. Today, the tree-lined streets that Boosalis envisioned provide shade, beauty and numerous environmental benefits to our city. Lincoln residents will reap the benefits these trees provide well into the future.

But Boosalis' legacy extends far beyond the borders of Nebraska's capital city. She was one of the Arbor Day Foundation's earliest supporters. As a longtime member of the foundation's Board of Trustees, she played a vital leadership role in the growth of the foundation.

Today, the Arbor Day Foundation plants and distributes more than 10 million trees each year, helps with reforestation projects in many national forests, administers the Tree City USA program with more than 3,400 communities nationwide and is involved with preserving tropical rain forests in Latin America.

Her work made a positive impact around the world. What a wonderful legacy!

Matt Harris, president, Arbor Day Foundation, Lincoln