A TNT columnist’s recent attack on Joe Biden wasn’t just ageist — it was ableist | Opinion

Biden is strong — and fit to serve

TNT columnist Matt Driscoll extended an invitation to call him ageist. Consider it done, Matt, and tack on ableist!

A mature and objective electorate should care only about a candidate’s record and goals.

Biden’s record: pandemic solutions; climate crisis policy with good jobs; infrastructure reconstruction; diversified government and courts, lowered drug prices; economy = one of the best ever.

Biden’s goals: codify Roe; tax extremely wealthy; improve healthcare; improve gun responsibility; protect democracy; two state Middle-East solution; continue environmental protections.

Trump’s record: lowered taxes on the wealthy; increased debt; disparaged science; alienated allies; committed crimes.

His goals: destroy NATO; support Russia and other dictatorships.

Special counsel Robert Hur’s disparaging comments about Biden didn’t belong in an important legal document. They were personal and political.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a non-ambulatory polio victim, was productive until he died.

Biden has had eye and speech problems all his life — neither preventing his outstanding public service.

Biden continues to be a great, transformative president.

John Alessio, Steilacoom

Elder care depends on Medicaid fix

I run a local assisted living facility, where nearly all our residents rely on Medicaid to cover their housing and care costs. Most of our clients also live with chronic mental illness. Many have been, and otherwise would be, homeless or stuck in a state hospital without specialized facilities like ours.

A business with costs higher than revenue is dead or dying. We’ve seen record levels of inflation and a workforce rightly demanding higher wages. Yet the state’s current Medicaid reimbursement rate only covers 79% of the cost of care.

If state lawmakers, who are currently drafting budgets, want assisted living facilities to continue to serve low-income seniors, the Medicaid reimbursement rate needs to be fully funded.

The current rate is untenable and will result in less support for those in our community

Zack Wester, Auburn

Pugnetti Park: Bring in the Master Gardeners

There are several Master Gardeners groups in the area that could volunteer time to clean up Pugnetti Park in Tacoma. There are other groups like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls and church groups that could also volunteer.

I think there is a public-private-volunteer solution to coordinate care at small parks — because small parks are important to the beauty of our Tree City.

If a group like Occupy Tacoma could volunteer to trash the park, volunteers who care can help clean and maintain them.

Robin Gilliam, Tacoma

Pugnetti Park: Create a Speakers’ Corner

Pugnetti Park in Tacoma should become a “Speakers Corner,” just like Hyde Park in London.

A Speakers’ Corner is an area where open-air public speaking, debate and discussion are allowed. The original and best known is in the northeast corner of Hyde Park in London, England.

Historically, there were a number of areas designated as Speakers’ Corners in London parks. Speakers’ Corners have been established in other countries and elsewhere in the UK.

For Tacoma, the same rules could apply: no sign-up required. Just show up with your box and make your pitch.

Gregory Stewart, Tacoma