Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, Dec. 19, 2014

White privilege is reality

The letter from Terry L. Chambers (ADN, Monday) contends if Michael Brown hadn't committed a crime, he would still be alive. This is all well and good, but how do you explain the disproportionate number of deaths for black Americans that "commit crimes"? Data and studies show not only are black people arrested more often for the same crimes as white Americans, they are also charged more harshly. In addition, data suggests black Americans are killed by police, instead of being taken into custody, at a higher frequency than white Americans committing similar crimes.

So, Mr. Chambers, although in an ideal country, "don't do the crime; stay alive," would be fantastic advice, it doesn't apply to present-day America. Rather, your advice should be, "If you're white, don't do the crime, stay out of jail. If you're black, don't do the crime, stay alive."

Or, maybe we can overhaul the justice system so all citizens of this country are treated equally, focusing on crime instead of race?

Justin T. Wetherell

Anchorage

Energy efficiency cuts costs in public facilities, creates jobs

Thanks in part to the large gift Alaskans just handed the oil industry, Gov. Walker inherited a very difficult budget situation. It's great to see he is making some good choices regarding capital spending.

I totally agree with budget director Pat Pitney that we need to carefully invest in projects that reduce future spending. Investing in energy efficiency does just that, and creates jobs as well. A recent study found energy costs in our public buildings run more than $641 million each year, and that with relatively-simple improvements we could be saving at least $125 million annually. Year after year after year, the return on investment just piles up.

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Huge projects like the Susitna dam, the Ambler road and Knik Arm Bridge make absolutely no sense. Other "roads to resources" projects should be carefully scrutinized as well. Spending our limited revenues to make public buildings more energy efficient provides both an immediate and long-term cost-savings. Think of a massive program to reduce energy use as a "nega-project" yielding mega-returns.

Mark Masteller

Palmer

Congress starts march back on Wall Street regulations

On Dec. 11, the U.S. House, as their final "must do" act of the year, did what they were bought to do: they began the unraveling of the law that protects taxpayer money from being used by the banking industry and financial firms to insure the risky investments of the wealthiest Americans. And so begins the march backward to the practices that almost brought America to her knees financially.

Recognizing that those same risky investments busted the pension funds of labor unions, large businesses, and city and state governments, the House also added the ability for fund administrators to legally break their contracts with our seniors and pensioners and start rolling back their hard-earned benefits. When the shoe falls this time, they want to ensure that the first funds hit and ready to grab are those of working and middle class Americans. Multi-million dollar bonuses and upper six- and seven-figure salaries must be protected at all costs.

Where is the outrage over this blatant "special interest" group influence? We seem to have much to say when we can identify "special interest" groups when they are teachers, parents, civil servants, and students, also known as our friends, family and neighbors, but this looming menace should not be ignored. This election cycle is over, but the ripple effect is just beginning. Let's pay close attention and contact your U.S. representatives and senators to be sure your voice is heard.

Nina Romine

Anchorage

The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.

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