<strong><span class="subhead">Merge-zone manners</span></strong></p><p>Robert Cronkleton&#8217;s story &#8220;Merge zone&#8221; (4/8, A-1) shows how Kansas City people are just learning how to handle traffic.</p><p>I recently returned to the Kansas City area after being stuck in Los Angeles for 28 years, and one of the first differences I noticed was the traffic. In L.A., when two lanes merge into one, everyone continues to the last possible merge point, then they alternate. This works much better than the disorganized way it&#8217;s done here.</p><p>Here, they start merging a mile back, which further increases the backup, and woe be to the guy who goes all the way to the merge point &#8212; nobody lets him in.</p><p>Also, L.A. doesn&#8217;t have any of those incredibly stupid fast-lane entrance ramps.</p><p><p align="right"><strong>Bill Moses</strong></p> <p align="right"><em>Liberty</em></p> Linus Baker, the attorney suing Overland Park in defense of late mergers, and others like him who race past the line of already-merged cars to shave precious seconds need to be disabused of the notion that it is more important that they make it to their destination on time than anyone else on the road.</p><p>The cascading effect of these jerks&#8217; actions are that everyone in the line is made even later as people inevitably stop to let them in. Beyond the safety problem this creates, this arrogant and immature behavior is outrageously antisocial.</p><p>Perhaps Mr. Baker also feels he is entitled to use handicapped parking spots when parking legally is inconvenient.</p><p>Do members of the bar get to decide which traffic signs are binding? And how much quicker would we all get to work if these aggressive drivers were forced to ride the bus?</p><p><p align="right"><strong>Rod McBride</strong></p> <p align="right"><em>Gardner</em></p> Linus Baker is one of those inconsiderate drivers who should have his fine tripled and his license revoked.</p><p>Most drivers begin merging when they see the signs indicating a lane is closed. Then Linus Baker comes flying by and cuts in front of people who have been waiting in line, taking their turn. Nothing is more infuriating.</p><p>His time isn&#8217;t any more valuable than anyone else&#8217;s. He should be prosecuted to the fullest.</p><p><p align="right"><strong>J. B. Hall</strong></p> <p align="right"><em>Raytown</em></p> In the future, after having merged right as I approach a construction zone, when I look in my rear-view mirror and see someone barreling down in the left lane headed for the front of the line, I can correctly say to my wife, &#8220;Hang on honey &#8212; here comes another late merger.&#8221;</p><p>No longer will I use the phrase &#8220;intellectually challenged person of questionable parentage.&#8221;</p><p><p align="right"><strong>Harold C. Williams</strong></p> <p align="right"><em>Leavenworth</em></p> <strong><span class="subhead">HCA Midwest</span></strong></p><p>What&#8217;s good for business is not necessarily good for patients. That appears to be the case for HCA Midwest, which boasts of its profit and progress yet falls short on many measures of patient care.</p><p>Every day, nurses at HCA Midwest hospitals struggle to provide excellent care under trying conditions. Your article (4/1, Business, &#8220;HCA Midwest: Five years later&#8221;) just scratches the surface of some of the problems. Nursing units are understaffed, patient wait times are increasing, and supplies often are lacking.</p><p>It&#8217;s no wonder HCA Midwest hospitals received poor ratings in a recent patient satisfaction survey. HCA Midwest executive Stephen Corbeil brags of record profits for his Nashville-based corporation. But is some of that profit coming at the expense of patient care right here in Missouri?</p><p>HCA/Centerpoint nurses currently are negotiating their first contract with HCA, and they&#8217;re making improved patient care their No. 1 priority. We hope that HCA also sees the importance of this goal.