We are number one.

In the week of Oct. 2, I over heard a piece on KOMO AM radio, that bastion of liberal thought and rhetoric, that among the wealthy nations, the U.S. used to be in the middle of the pack in terms of life expectancy and is now last. Furthermore, in the U.S. those states with the lowest life expectancy are — ready for this — Republican-led states and rural areas.

In addition, talking with my son who is fighting in Ukraine for a year and a half, he told me something very surprising. On second thought, it is not surprising. He is in an International Brigade with young men from many nations. When these men are wounded, the Ukrainians give them a choice — they can remain under the care of Ukraine or they will arrange for them to return to their native lands for care. My son told me they all opt to return to their native lands, but not Americans including my son. Is this not troubling?

CHRIS THOMPSON

South Bend