Sires 'staunchly opposed' to repealing Affordable Care Act; 'Thanks,' Comey; Site for local 'bees-ness' | Letters

Linda Miller protests the U.S. House passage of the plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act at the south gate of the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Friday.(Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

Congressman Sires' Statement on vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act

Once again, House Republicans' have introduced misguided and unpopular legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act and leave middle class and low-income families without access to affordable health care.  This plan strips away the most popular protections under the Affordable Care Act, defunds Planned Parenthood, destroys Medicaid, and harms those who need coverage the most.  This legislation would leave those in need of health care without access to affordable coverage by allowing states to charge higher premiums for pre-existing conditions; opt of out providing coverage for essential health benefits like maternity care, hospital visits, and mental health services; and potentially charge seniors significantly higher premiums.

House Republicans have pushed this misguided plan through without an updated Congressional Budget Office score which, once again, appears to be a deliberate attempt to hide the costs of the repeal. I voted against this misguided legislation because I am staunchly opposed to irresponsible efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and I will continue to fight for access to quality,

affordable health care coverage for the American people.
Congressman Albio Sires, 8th District of N.J.

'Thanks' for distraction, Comey 

Mr. Comey will always have deep in his conscious the question: "Why did not I wait until after the elections to drop the bomb that has made the life for American people so difficult?"

One day after Election Day, so little has meant so much.

Carlos Aguiar, Union City

Greatsunflower.org to keep tabs on local 'bees-ness'

I live in Union City and observe wild bees and honey bees (and other insects) in Washington Park. Since last summer, I have a keen fascination for bumble bees. I also champion the Monarch butterfly.

For those who would like to "evaluate pollination service" of local bumble bees in Hudson County, I recommend you join The Great Sunflower Project begun in 2008. It's user friendly website is www.greatsunflower.org and there's a Facebook with 1,966 people following as of today. The specific variety of sunflower for the project is Lemon Queen.

You submit your observational data on line where it is used by researchers. I have joined this project so that I can participate as a citizen scientist.

I would encourage school teachers to involve their biology class in this project. Ditto for gardeners. Those who like nature photography, can snap pictures of the bumblebees. It's my hope that this invitation will find a ready and enthusiastic audience and that sunflowers will brighten your day. Thank you!

Tony Squire, Union City

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