Stay Away From Political Editorials

   I believe your recent editorial was inappropriate. (See “Emphasizing Accountability For Seniors On Election Day,” page 15, October issue.) You made some half-baked effort to try and present some kind of balance in your editorial but your bias was obvious. You knocked President George Bush’s accomplishments in Medicare and touted the possibility that Senator John Kerry’s plan would be superior.    You, like so much of America, have taken Kerry’s statements at face value. Make no mistake about it. Kerry’s plan is socialized medicine. The ultra-liberals in the Democratic Party will not be happy until everyone has medical coverage as a right. The only way they can accomplish that goal is to nationalize health care.    If you think this profession struggles now, wait until you see how we are treated under nationalized medicine. Better yet, look at Canada or Sweden or any of the other countries that have socialized systems, and see what our future is if Kerry gets his way.    Kerry has smoke-screened America since the beginning of this election process but his radically extreme liberal record speaks for itself. If you want to support Kerry and his extreme liberal politics, that is a personal decision you need to make for yourself. However, you should not use your position as Editor-In-Chief of a nationally read magazine to promote Kerry’s agenda, especially when it will negatively impact all of medicine. Go talk to a Canadian doctor or a patient who has had serious ailments treated within the Canadian health care system.    Mr. Hall, stick to podiatric editorials, not political editorials. — W. Joseph Barrett, DPM Tacoma, Wash.

A Key DPM In Mission Trips

   I am writing in regard to the October issue, specifically the cover story, “Mission Trips: How DPMs Are Making A Difference Worldwide,” written by Robi Garthwait. (See page 30, October issue).    While I am sure she was not able to include all of those who have been involved with mission trips over the years, I felt her article was missing a key player in the trips. My partner, George Vito, DPM, has been attending a mission trip in Cartagena, Colombia in South America for many years.    Unlike many mission trips that are done on a yearly basis or have different doctors going all the time, Dr. Vito travels to Cartagena monthly. He has been instrumental in setting up a clinic there, has a working relationship with the local orthopedic surgeons and performs a wide range of surgeries, especially on children. What also makes these mission trips unique is the fact that Dr. Vito ensures follow-up care on all of his patients by local doctors and sees the patients every month.    Recently, Dr. Vito has also been lending his expertise in Mexico with a mission trip program associated with Barry University.    Dr. Vito has been a pioneer in many areas in podiatry and aside from my personal relationship with him, I feel he often goes unrecognized for his accomplishments. — Larry S. Goldstein, DPM, FACFAS Foot And Leg Centers Of Georgia Lsggold@cox.net