Letters to the editor (8/17/09)

Palin is right about death panels: They are called insurance companies.

In response to criticism of Alaska's aerial wolf hunting she said, "We eat; therefore we hunt." Do the Palins eat wolves?

-- Sheila Burke

Eagle River

Nobody's pulled the plug yet

There seems to be a lot of discussion lately about the government killing off us old geezers if we get a government health care program. My wife and I have been in such a health care system for four years now. It's called Medicare. It's not perfect, but no one has tried to pull the plug on either of us.

Of course, most of that time was under the Bush administration. They probably couldn't find the end of the cord.

-- John R. Stummer Sr.

Eagle River

Secretaries' visit is first step in helping feds understand Bush

Cama'i, Calista Corp., AVCP and AVCP Housing Authority were pleased to welcome four secretaries from the Obama administration Aug. 12 in Bethel and Hooper Bay. Our Yup'ik and Cup'ik Native people were proud to share our successes and speak about our regional issues in the areas of education, housing, health, energy and subsistence. Rural means something different in Alaska. Our villages face unique challenges not found elsewhere, including limited infrastructure, energy cost inequities, health disparities, ill-suited education regulations and inadequate essential services like housing, water and septic.

"A healthy American economy depends on a prosperous rural America," declared President Obama. The future survival of Alaska villages depends on protection of subsistence rights, improvement of basic living conditions and assistance in developing economic opportunities.

This visit was the first step toward helping the federal government understand rural Alaskans' needs but it must not stop there.

We call for this administration to continue working with Alaska Native leaders developing public policies that safeguard subsistence rights and improve the lives of our people. Quyana.

-- Matthew Nicolai,

president/CEO, Calista Corp.

Anchorage

Pilot program could save lives

In response to Mr. Black's uninformed opinion of the secure treatment pilot project ("Committing homeless drunks violates their God-given rights," Aug. 10):

The Alaska statute that allows for a court-ordered involuntary commitment under Title 47 is color blind. This statute existed before the issue of chronic public inebriates and homelessness became a public health and safety emergency in Alaska. The treatment program at the Clitheroe Center is designed to save the lives of Alaska's most at-risk substance abusers. Eleven of our citizens have died in our streets and parks just this summer. It is time to try an innovative new approach, not to sit idly by while chronic public inebriation kills more Alaskans.

Many times family members are the ones who will help get someone into treatment. Some of those who will be helped by this program have no family. For those without someone to care for them, this program may be the key to saving their lives.

As an Alaska Native I hope this program will help some of my people begin to heal.

-- Anna Sappah

executive director

Substance Abuse Directors Association

Anchorage

Equal rights already long overdue

Over 30 years ago, our community spoke with passion on the then-equal rights ordinance. Emotions ran high and, sadly, voices of hatred were heard. My good friend Dave Rose, a devoted public servant, stood up for the rights of all citizens. He paid a political price for his courage.

Fast-forward to today when seven members of the Assembly stood up for equal rights and passed Assembly Ordinance 2009-64. It is time for the community I love to accept equal rights for all our citizens. This ordinance must stand. We should not wait another 30 years to try again for equal rights for all of our citizens.

-- Arliss Sturgulewski

Anchorage

To cut costs, recruit more doctors

Our health care IS rationed. There are not enough services available to meet the total demand. We have a shortage of primary care doctors and that is all there is to it. Want more and better health care? Go to Econ. 101. There you'll find the law of supply and demand. When supply is low, costs are high.

If you want to reduce the cost of care, get more doctors. Build 50 new medical schools and provide reduced-cost education for prospective doctors who spend at least their first 10 years in general practice, since that is where the greatest shortage lies.

Arguing about how to pay for limited services will never reduce the cost. It is merely rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

-- John Cote

Seward

Fund troopers and divide highway

Some people just don't get it!

Last night, when I was returning from Seward with my family, one car decided that his destination was more important than being in the middle of a long line of cars. He decided to pass even though we were in the opposing lane, requiring us to take major braking action. Many cars were using the passing lanes inappropriately.

It is time to let the Legislature know that the troopers need full funding for additional troopers as well as beginning the process of funding the Seward Highway as a four-lane divided highway. It will be expensive, but then, how do you put a price on a human life?

I wish there were a way to teach people how to value other people's lives.

I thank Ms. Mandel for her Compass piece (Aug. 12) and cannot imagine her loss.

Slow down, be patient, report questionable drivers to the troopers when possible.

People need to remember that actions have lifetime consequences.

-- Lenore Yeager

Girdwood