It is encouraging that recent reports show that improved treatments are cutting global HIV rates. But we cannot become complacent. Today is World AIDS Day 2009, and I encourage everyone to get an HIV test if they have not recently done so.

I will get my own HIV test today when the AIDS Healthcare Foundation hosts a free HIV-testing marathon at its newest Out of the Closet Thrift Store at 2900 Biscayne Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m..

The event, as well as another at Out of the Closet at 2097 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, are part of the AHF's Testing Millions campaign, which seeks to test several million people worldwide for HIV. It's quick , easy and important to the health of each of us.

SCOTT GALVIN, councilman, North Miami City Council, North Miami

Costly vote

The Nov. 25 letter Politics as spectacle says that ``Miami politics certainly are entertaining, if nothing else.'' Unfortunately there is something else.

It will certainly be a spectacle seeing suspended Miami City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones running again, possibly winning, and possibly being suspended again if convicted of the charges she faces.

However, Spence-Jones, along with former Commissioner Angel Gonzalez were two of the three commissioners who gave the approval necessary for our latest white elephant -- the new Marlins stadium.

The money involved in Spence-Jones' and Gonzalez's current troubles is petty cash compared to what the stadium deal will cost taxpayers.

It is hard to understand how the questionable judgment of these two people was allowed to replace the collective wisdom of residents in this important matter.

JOHN GOEHL, Miami

Squash rumors

Re the Nov. 27 story Rumors clouding impact of healthcare reforms on South Floridians: The first few paragraphs quote a resident who bases most of his comments on those from his obvious hero, Rush Limbaugh.

So we read biased and destructive misinformation for which Limbaugh is well known. How could the unbiased Miami Herald open an article with negative, prejudicial statements from a person who publicly states that he wants the Obama administration to fail?

America needs healthcare reform. It certainly won't be ideal at first, but we have the future to refine and improve it -- much the same way as was achieved in Europe. If readers read the entire article, they would read of the many potential benefits.

Sadly, a great many readers probably never got to page 2.

STANLEY JONAS, North Bay Village

Monitor elections

Congratulations to the new Miami leaders for deciding to hold elections in districts 1 and 5 to replace Angel Gonzalez and Michelle Spence-Jones on the City Commission. It's too bad that they weren't removed before they voted to give subsidies to the Marlins stadium and parking garage.

It is now critical that the city, state attorney, election board -- and even the FBI -- make sure that these elections are on the up and up.

There must be better safeguards to keep absentee ballots from being abused and restrictions on the campaign access candidates have to Section 8 and senior apartment buildings, preventing the bulk sales of votes.

HARRY EMILIO GOTTLIEB, Coconut Grove

More insured

I want to be free to choose among private and public healthcare options. Single-payer healthcare can only increase the number of insured recipients and decrease costs. I have not heard a good reason for opposing it.

ROBERT HACH, Miami

Palin a winner

Sarah Palin is tremendously popular, but she always has been with those who like her. However, the number of pro-Palin supporters is growing. It would be a big mistake for the Republicans to pick a more-moderate candidate in 2012. That's why they lost in 2008.

John McCain unquestionably is a moderate, and his campaign suffered because of it, but when he chose Palin as his running mate she electrified audiences and brought conservatives back into the party.

President Obama and his party are on a downward slide in the polls, and unless they come up with a miracle they will continue their decline. He has made one bad judgment call after the other because of his lack of managerial experience.

Compare Palin's experience as mayor of Wasilla and governor of Alaska with someone who was a community organizer and state senator who then served less than a full term as a U.S. senator. If someone with such questionable credentials can be elected president because he appeared likable and was popular, then Palin should triumph in 2012.

DEE ROBERTSON, South Miami