Letters to the editor (7/12/09)

I am flabbergasted by the waste of funds which in all instances were frivolous and without grounds. Is this witch hunting continuing to chase away good upstanding civil servants? Put a lid on it. Quit wasting these funds!

I back up Gov. Palin all the way!

-- Thomas Saqik Nusunginya

Anchorage

Letterman is back on offense

For those not so fortunate to have seen David Letterman on Monday night let me use a simple basketball analogy.

He stole the ball from Sarah Barracuda at midcourt and did a foul line 360 slam at the other end. Priceless. I see many more slams coming.

-- Mike Overdorff

Anchorage

Try a federal health care plan

Another option for health care would be to add U.S. citizens to the pool of federal employees' health care. Your choice could be private health care with your employer or to use the federal employee health care plan.

Of course since members of Congress are federal employees, they would join too. This would increase the quality of care for the average Joe. Having so many more in the pool should lower the costs.

-- Karin Have

Anchorage

Bring real health care reform

Our health care system is ridiculous.

Forty-six million Americans are uninsured.

Premiums are growing four times faster than wages. Half of all personal bankruptcies stem from medical expenses.

President Obama proposes health care reform in 2009 that will reduce costs by improving efficiency and investing in preventative care.

We must give every American the right to choose their plan and doctor -- especially the option to choose a public insurance option.

Congress must past real health care reform in 2009.

-- K.C. Miller

Barrow

Gov. Palin: Take a deep breath

Gov. Palin, let me get this straight. In your uh retirement speech you complain about the constant media attacks on you and your family, yet last year you chided Hillary Clinton for raising the same concerns and suggested she should stop "whining" about it, that she was bringing attention to herself. You dragged your children on the campaign trail, put them in countless magazine articles, had a press conference in your backyard and the national press at your setnet site -- where are they supposed to hide from the media spotlight?

You stated you didn't want to cost the state money yet you billed them for your kids' travel expenses and per diem for staying in your own home.

You say you want to help Alaskans who are struggling, then shortly after you sign a multimillion dollar book deal you go commercial fishing with your family while many village subsistence users have their nets out of the water due to no fish.

It might be time to take a deep breath.

-- Doug Lyon

Anchorage

Good riddance, governor

I have personally known every governor of Alaska since Ernest Gruening (my mother's boss when I was born in 1946). Some were great leaders -- Gruening, Egan and Hammond. Others were less than great, but they look better compared to Sarah Palin. She really takes the cake in so many ways.

Her disregard for Alaska in favor of national and worldwide publicity is distasteful, and I, for one, can't wait for her to leave office on July 26.

-- David Alexander

Wasilla

Reduce health care costs now

As a society we believe that it is right for all our citizens to have access to quality health care, just as we believe it is right to have access to public education or to be secure in our homes and on our borders.

The cost of reforming our health-care "system" is minimal compared to the cost of going on with business as usual.

We must tell our elected officials what we, the people, believe to be right: support President Obama's call to reduce health-care costs by improving efficiency and investing in preventative care; guarantee every citizen the right to choose their plan and doctor -- including a public insurance option; and ensure quality, affordable care for every American. Now.

-- Stacy Allen

Anchorage

Support public option plan

The compassionate conservatives have not provided results by encouraging doctors to take Medicare patients. We understand the rates are low and doctors have financial issues to consider. But the public supports President Obama's call for a public health-care option.

It is interesting that we are debating withholding health care for our most vulnerable neighbors. Let's make sure we have healthy people in America by supporting the public option.

-- Hugh Brown III

Anchorage

Obama's pick for health post perfect

I was pleased to hear the recent announcement that the Obama Administration has nominated Francis Collins to head the National Institutes of Health. I remember attending a public talk by Dr. Collins in 2006, hosted by UAA. He told the story of the genetic research he had done to help a child with a disease that caused premature aging. His intelligence and compassion were evident.

Francis Collins is not only a deeply respected geneticist, but he is also an outspoken evangelical Christian who explains in his writing that he sees no inherent conflict between his scientific understanding and his religious belief. His nomination reflects an awareness in Obama that one can simultaneously embrace both religious faith and the knowledge revealed by empirical research. Science and religion are not necessarily antithetical.

It is refreshing to see competence as a primary criterion for such a post. I wish Collins well at NIH.

-- Jackie Cason

Anchorage

Palin watchers: Check Obama

I wonder if the people who have been filing ethics complaints against Sarah Palin, now that they have nothing to do, could find out for us who is paying for Obama's children and their caretaker's trip to Russia and other places.

-- Pam Lewshenia

Anchorage

Patkotak's column falls short

Elise Patkotak's latest op-ed piece, "Readers want more on Temporary Sal" (July 8) lacks any real substance or point, and therefore has little relevance.

Rather than making a reasoned argument or sharing her opinions in an insightful way, Patkotak pieces together many unrelated and spiteful criticisms into a rambling diatribe against everyone from people in the Lower 48 to the media and even Alaska politicians of the past.

Her article lacks the class and insight that makes columnists like Julia O' Malley so interesting to read.

-- Tyler Zimmmerman

Anchorage

Palin gets out of the way

Another aphorism (re: Michael Carey, "Quitting cost Palin hope for high office," July 9) on a kitchen magnet: Lead. Follow. Or get out of the way.

And a response from Governor Bailin': I can't. I won't. I'm outta here.

-- Ken Flynn

Anchorage

Is this what's best for Alaska?

A heartfelt thank you to Sarah Palin for being such a terrific role model for my 9-year-old daughter. Way to show our young women that when the going gets tough, just quit! Gee, governing is hard work, but I suppose Ms. Palin's got better things to do with her time.

Of course, the upcoming book tour and inevitable finger-waggin', Dem-bashin' media appearances are what's best for Alaska. You betcha!

-- LB Gregory

Anchorage