Supports Sanders for President
Dear Editor,
I support Bernie Sanders for President because his message is the most progressive in the bold ways we really need and he has always been the most consistent in his views. First let me say that I believe for many reasons to do with our safety, health and because we have an economy that benefits the rich nearly exclusively, that we don’t need another term with Donald Trump.
And so three policy areas of Mr. Sanders that I’ll touch upon are Health Care, The Green New Deal, and Foreign Policy. On Health Care policy, Bernie Sanders is the only candidate fully supporting Medicare for All, H. R. 676, a bill he wrote himself and introduced in 2016. It is an obvious fact that everyone needs access to healthcare and that thousands of people across our country go without adequate care because of outrageous costs they can’t afford. Single payer systems in all other developed countries cost less than what we pay and have better health outcomes to prove it. That is a system that’s morally right and the only way to give absolutely everyone the care they need.
Elizabeth Warren, a top contender in the list of Democrats, has supported it previously but it seems she has now backed out of it. With her plan there’ll be a public option for three years then an indefinite private option catering to insurance companies. Bernie maintains his consistency.
The Green New Deal, S. 7023, co-sponsored by Mr. Sanders, transforms an entire energy system away from fossil fuels; this is the bold vision called for in these worrisome times of sinking ice sheets and increased intensity and number of huge storms everywhere. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, the co-writer of this with Bernie, is just one of several new and younger Democrats, many of them women, who have led a bold charge on Environment. It will create jobs for newer energy based companies and move the U.S. to be Carbon neutral by 2030. No other candidate is talking up this important environmental policy even though there’s been a lot of momentum behind it. This great bIll can’t get into law without keeping it alive in the conversation. Elizabeth Warren doesn’t support it because she says 2030 is too soon to be practical but if we don’t aim high and boldly how will we ever achieve greatness!! History has shown us that bold visions always help achieve much more than not so ambitious plans, and it’s especially important in this case when what we’re pushing for is nothing less crucial than whether or not our children can live here on earth in a safe, healthy environment!
On Foreign Policy, Mr. Sanders has consistently supported peace, negotiating with all countries, and human rights in everything we do. As true on other policies, you don’t read or hear from any of the other candidates any deep visioning of the right moral stance we should take as you clearly get from Bernie on this. I especially love a quote by Bernie from December 2019: “We must address the root cause to end these endless wars.†For our safety and well being in this dangerous world, we should be smart enough to embrace Mr. Sander’s vision for peace since to not really dream of peace and envision it for ourselves, how can we achieve it?
I got this information from the non-profit, bipartisan site www.ontheissues.org . And one other fact is that with PAC money Bernie Sanders doesn’t take any; he’s the only major candidate who can claim that. A final point is that we’ll be able to count on Bernie Sanders doing what we want him to do because he’s the only major candidate who takes no PAC money.
Please join me in voting for Bernie Sanders for our safety, security, health, peace and prosperity.
Carol Walker
Help Your Loved One Quit Vaping, Smoking, or Other Tobacco Products
Dear Editor,
February is American Heart Month, so before you think about what kind of flowers or type of candy to buy for Valentine’s Day, choose the Valentine that is better than any bouquet of expensive red roses or box of chocolates: show your love by supporting your sweetheart in quitting vaping, smoking or other tobacco products. 
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is a leading cause of heart disease; it can lead to the narrowing of blood vessels and high blood pressure. Quitting smoking greatly improves heart health. Vaping is still fairly new and less is known about its effect on the heart. However, the American Heart Association reports that two new studies find that vaping may be just as dangerous by increasing heart disease risk factors.

Give Valentine’s Day new meaning by helping your loved one quit vaping, smoking or other tobacco products. If your sweetheart is thinking about quitting, here are some ways your gift of support can encourage them along their journey:
1. Let your sweetie know you’ll be their quit partner for as long as it takes – a person usually tries to quit many times before they quit for good.
2. Remind them that going cold turkey is not always the best option. Recommend that they talk to their doctor about medications to help them quit. People who use quit medicine are twice as likely to quit for good!
3. Help them celebrte the small victories – like the first 24 hours of being nicotine-free, the first week, or the first time they make it through a stressful event without using tobacco or nicotine products.
4. Bring them little treats like sugar-free gum, mints, and healthy snacks to help keep their hands and mouth busy.
5. Distract them from cravings and help them relieve stress – take a walk with them, send them a reassuring text, or just run an errand together.
If it seems like your loved one is in a bad mood, try not to take it personally – nicotine is a very addictive drug! Quitting is one of the most difficult things they will ever do.
Lastly, it is common for those attempting to quit to slip up and vape or have a cigarette. If this happens to your loved one, don’t be discouraged or critical. Help them think about what they learned from that quit attempt and remind them of all of their good reasons for quitting. Most importantly, let them know you’re there for them when they’re ready to try again.
To learn more about how you can help your loved one quit vaping, smoking or using other tobacco products, visit KeepTryingMA.org Vapers, smokers and other tobacco product users can call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) for free coaching through phone, e-chat, and text 24 hours each day, seven days a week or they can enroll online through KeepTryingMA.org.
This Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month, give the perfect gift; show your beloved just how much you care with the gift of support and, ultimately, heart health.
Edgar Duran Elmudesi