Letters to the editor (3/24/10)

With the passage of this health care bill we are now a more divided country than we have ever been, short of perhaps the Civil War. There is no way Republicans and Democrats will ever share power for what could be a very long time. The entire Republican Party voted against the health care bill. This philosophy of "winner takes all" permeates Washington politics. This leaves little room for compromise. On top of this President Obama, along with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, is blurring the boundaries between the executive, legislative and even the judicial branches of government. This is a dangerous precedent and can only be harmful to America.

And what about the costs for this plan? What happens when the tap that pays for government-provided benefits runs out? As the war on private-sector profits continues, the tap will run out eventually. Then what will we do? It's too late to answer this now. With the passage of the health care bill, we just jumped into the rabbit hole.

-- Chris Brady

Delta Junction

Americans don't want health care

So now health care is soon to be a reality that the majority of Americans do not want. I think the members of Congress that supported this legislation will hear from their constituents in the upcoming elections.

I have never stood on a corner to show support for a member of Congress, but rest assured I will support whoever runs against Alaska's lone congressional vote for health care.

-- Mike Bloechl

Anchorage

Cruise tax is a jobs issue

The governor's decision to reduce the cruise ship head tax as a way to encourage the cruise lines to move their ships back to Alaska ("Parnell pursues slashing cruise tax") was one of the most heartening statements Alaskans; have heard in years.

This new legislation is a jobs bill, not a cruise ship bill. This will save 1,800 tourism jobs for Alaskans, this will keep Alaska owned and operated businesses open. We have to compete in a global market that has been steadily taking our cruise travel market from us.

Bermuda just lowered their cruise ship taxes and fees, which now makes Juneau the most expensive port in North America.

The governor's decision to introduce and support this legislation should be applauded by all Alaskans.

-- Carol C. Fraser

ARAMARK Parks and Destinations,

regional director of Sales & Marketing.

Alaska Alliance for Cruise Travel

Help for Medicare clinic

I don't know Dr. Rhyneer but I commend him for stepping up in creation of a Medicare clinic.

I think, however, ample time with a patient is important. I think that you could have a clinic that could afford to spend more time with the patient if you had a part of the clinic that made money to fund he part that loses money.

Surgery and radiology are the areas that I know of that can bolster income for a clinic and reduce this crazy schedule of seeing 70 patients in a day ... that seems like "combat triage" to me.

I would offer my services as a surgeon to perform the office/outpatient procedures that the clinic patients need. Because Medicare reimburses a surgeon better for procedures, this could be a way to generate income.

-- Jacqueline Silkey, M.D., FACS

Anchorage