Camera returned; Swedish health care; REAL health insurance; Seward Highway road rage

We were passengers on the Sapphire Princess from Vancouver to Whittier and on the 19th of July, spent our last day in Anchorage. We left our luggage at the airport and I admired the handsome glass discs, thinking I would be back to photograph them. We were pleased with the People Mover bus and the easy access to the city's attractions. We went to the Alaskan Center for the Performing Arts to see the "Aurora" film and bought even more souvenirs at the 4th Avenue Marketplace. Everywhere ,we were impressed with the intensity of the flowers and the hanging globes of lobelias. We also took the free Ulu Factory trolley and went to the Wild Ride Sled Dog Rodeo.

Finally, we took the last bus- #7- back to the airport and I discovered that I no longer had my digital camera. In shocked dismay, we had to depart for Connecticut. Although the camera was new, it was the loss of the vacation photos that saddened us since we had a great grandmother [88] and a great grandson [10] with us.

On Monday, we immediately called the Lost & Found and talked with Kim who checked for the camera. Incredibly, the bus driver had found it and turned it in. This driver needs to be applauded for his honesty and recognized for helping visitors recover their vacation dreams and images. He has our utmost gratitude and deep appreciation.

Kim should also be commended for the helpful way she packaged the camera and walked it over to UPS so that we would see our photos in two days. The city of Anchorage and the People Mover Bus system should be proud of the integrity of its staff.

--- Eve Martinson

Storrs, CT

Swedish health care has a price

I am sure Sweden has a very good health care system, but lets point out some facts. First the income tax rates start at 31% for the first $173,000 and rise to 51% for $278,000 and end at 56% for more than $278,000 with limited deductions and to top it off there is a real estate tax. Then on top of that is a health tax of 1.5% and value added tax of 25% on all good and most services with a reduced rate of 12% for food and 6% for domestic passenger transport, newspapers, books and magazines. So if my math is correct the tax rate is between 57.5% and 82.5% give or take a percent.So it appears to me that the system is built on the backs of taxpayers. Sounds like the ideal system to me.

-- Bill Poplarchik

Anchorage

Real health insurance would be OK

Years ago someone had the brilliant idea of providing health "insurance". What a money maker! Not everyone could afford it, but not everyone can afford many of our society's luxuries. Some people "got" what everyone "wanted". Now "want" has led to entitlement. We're all entitled to good health. Let's look to the government (your fellow Americans) to provide what we're entitled to. Let's regulate it, mandate it, subsidize it! Let's make the "haves" lend a hand to the "have nots".

Is our current system perfect? No. Should there be healthcare reform? Yes, within limits. Should we quickly force an unproven system down the throats of those who would bear the cost? Absolutely not.

If I'm going to pay for your health care, I reserve the right to impose a few regulations. You'll have to give up cigarettes. I don't want to pay the cost of your lung cancer. You'll have to give up beer, McDonald's, overeating, and anything that contributes to poor health. I want to mandate a 30 minute walk 3 times a week. These are the rules I follow to decrease the cost of my health care.

Or here's an idea. I will happily subsidize health care for children from birth to 18 years. That gives them time to learn healthy habits. I will subsidize health care for life for those with health issues they have no control over - birth defects, Type 1 diabetes, MS, mental/physical handicaps, etc. Otherwise, you're on your own. YOU will have to take responsibility for the choices YOU made. What a concept.

-- Diana Powers

NASCAR driving has no place on the Seward Highway

Whatta ya mean swallow your pride and let them pass (the fast drivers on the Seward Highway)? Did you grow up watching NASCAR or driving in it?

So much of our lives are defined by a mistaken concept of who we think we are. Better get some friends who will tell you the truth about yourself and not just agree that you are the greatest driver on earth. Even though there is no excuse for road rage, there is also no excuse for pushing someone to it. It's just not totally illegal and it's hard to prove. Remember, there are all kinds of people out there, driving around in their own universes, and we all must make allowances for that. Anybody can be in the next car. Most of us wouldn't make it in a third world country, no matter how good we think we are. And yes, I grew up watching NASCAR. If it weren't for my friends laughing at me, I would still be spreading those stories about my fabled driving.

-- Larry Witham

Anchorage