Optimism is vital

Since this presidential election is now over, I sure hope some compromise is found between both parties [“Capitol Hill swiftly shifts to bargaining,” News, Nov. 8].Our country needs to get away from the divisiveness that has been dominating politics over the last few years because that is the only way true change will come.

Solutions for our nation's many problems will only come when true compromise is made. Optimism for this is vitally important, because sometimes hope and optimism is all we have left.

— Jeff Swanson, Everrett

Need to tackle health-care issues

The election is over and question now will be if the stalemate in Washington, D.C., can be changed. The fiscal cliff is looming, and one way to solve it, per economist Joseph Stiglitz, would be to enact Medicare for all. The deficit and problem with the greatest entitlement, solved. Public insurance and market-based health delivery is that cost effective vs. private insurance.

Coverage would be based on medical necessity and not tiered with bronze, silver, gold and platinum plans. Who needs the choice and headaches of all these plans rather than free choice of medical providers.

It would be affordable for all as it would be based on income and easy to implement.

Recently I have talked with and heard about numerous people who would retire right away if they had Medicare coverage and coverage severed from employment.

Imagine what that would do for the job numbers.

The arithmetic proves this and it's a win-win solution. I'm afraid most of Congress would rather cut entitlements to prevent the cliff.

— Ruth Knagenhjelm, Normandy Park