Message: Lawmakers are incompetent
The message Sen. Hoffman sent to the citizens of Alaska by the inaction (think Medicaid expansion) and political games played by the Senate Majority caucus during both special sessions is one of incompetence and a total lack of leadership. To attempt to claim that this intransigence was a deliberate, strategic action to educate the public to the seriousness of the fiscal situation simply shows how out of touch they are.
-- Susan Olsen
Anchorage
Deal reeks of good ol boys
I am a layperson regarding the legal system so I was perplexed at the plea agreement offered to Ms. Ellis. The callousness of her act combined with the gravity of her crime should have surely warranted a more realistic sentence. Ms. Ellis is the daughter of a well-to-do attorney, and from my outside perspective this offer reeks of a good ol' boy deal. The state's attorney blindsided the victim's family with this offer, furthering my belief. This situation is why the general public has a high level of disdain for lawyers and the legal system. I only hope that the presiding judge can see through this whitewashing of the justice system and dispense a true and just sentence. Jeff's legacy as well as the public's general safety deserve as much.
-- Guy Ingrim
Anchorage
Alaskans should have spending input
Not too long ago my son had several things stolen from our yard while we were fishing. However, a neighbor got a description of the car and the license plate number and reached me on my cellphone. I immediately called APD. What a shock to find out they couldn't help me with the theft because there was no longer a theft department due to budget cuts. The front page of the May 30 ADN showed the Sourdough Lodge on Government Hill being demolished as part of the Knik Arm Bridge project. The last I had heard, the bridge project has been put on hold indefinitely. Shouldn't Alaskans have the right to decide where our hard-earned money should go? A bridge but no theft department? Perhaps we should start penalizing our legislators for each day they go into special session. Maybe that will help our budget.
-- Kay Porter
Eagle River
Somethings wrong with public radio
At a time when the country was being torn apart over our involvement in the Vietnam War, some forward-thinking individuals put forth the idea of public radio. The concept was brilliant. By utilizing a network of radio stations intended to bring important information to inaccessible communities, individuals critical of then-President Richard Nixon could have a forum for their ideas paid for by the very government they railed against. All these many years later our politicians support public broadcasting as necessary to bring critical emergency information to far-flung communities. It is so important to have weather reports on a local radio station as opposed to marine band radio, for example, that they continue to support public radio with federal dollars.
Not only does the federal government give direct support for NPR stations but any donations are tax-deductible. Those tax deductions take money away from the government that could be used for something useful, like a history lesson for children (and adults). Therefore, I contend that the only real listener support that does not come from the government is anonymous donations. The media is very powerful, and its freedom is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. However, the media has been anything but responsible in its exercise of that freedom. With a commercial media outlet I can choose not to watch, listen or read, and certainly not to support their advertisers. However, public media presents lies and obfuscation to promote its far-left fringe message utilizing our tax dollars.
-- Arthur Solvang
Willow
Despite school spending, were at zero
Thomas R. Schmidt's rebuttal to my letter "Our school system isn't working" (June 8) with "Schools persevere in mission to progress students despite legislative hurdles"
(June 11) misses or avoids the point. Regarding school vouchers he states: "There is a similar effort here in Alaska.
Sen. Mike Dunleavy, chairman for the education committee, sponsored the failed Senate Joint Resolution 9. This bill would have allowed public money to be spent on private schools. Why, with all his educational training and service as a public educator and leader, is he at the forefront to gut the funding for public education?"
Think about that last sentence. Why, indeed? Alaska's public schools spending per student ranks in the top percentile nationally. U.S. News published "Best high school rankings 2015" (gold medal states). Alaska joined 17 states with zero. Public school funding takes a huge bite out of diminishing resources. Shouldn't we consider something different to get better results for the money? Mr. Schmidt's solution is the same tired old "fully support and fund public education," i.e. more money. That's the tired old excuse. It's like putting more money in an old non-classic vehicle (Yugo?) that will never give you a decent return for the investment.
What is the goal here? Maintaining the status quo hoping for a different result, or producing the best students possible, prepared for a highly competitive global economy? You want a Yugo or a Ferrari for the money?
-- William Ahrens
Eagle River
PETA doesnt know Alaska dogs
Ashley Rhodes' letter of June 8 clearly reinforces most Alaskans' understanding of PETA members as nut cases who don't know what they are talking about. I would hope that
Ms. Rhodes would have more important things to do in Virginia than trash-talking dog owners of Alaska. Apparently, criticizing individual pet owners or sometimes communities is part of PETA's overall strategy. It is my understanding that PETA is responsible for euthanizing thousands of cats and dogs every year at its animal control center, but its legal team(s) will help prosecute many individuals throughout the United States and Canada. Many dogs in Alaska are working or racing dogs in the winter. Some are run summer and winter. Even if some of our dogs are tethered or chained for a few months in summer, I hardly think that turns them into crazed attack dogs. Many of our dogs, especially in the Bush, do have wolf breeding. Parents do need to keep their small children away from chained dogs, no matter what the breed. Apparently, PETA has suckered 20 states to pass their ridiculous tethering laws. These laws will never pass in Alaska. Please be aware that dog and animal behavior in general is much more complex than characterized in Ms. Rhodes' letter.
-- Doug Bartko
Palmer
State workers overpaid? Try to be one
I've seen a lot of comments lately from people who seem to think state workers are paid crazy-high salaries and don't have to do an ounce of work. I always want to ask them, "If you think working for the state is the easiest, most overpaid job there is, why don't you go work there?" Seriously, put your application where your mouth is. There are always openings on Workplace Alaska, so go ahead and apply.
-- Kassidy Lockheart
Anchorage
Paying lawmakers salaries gives clout
Politicians' response to Erin's Law provides fodder for change.
I applaud the Dispatch for making the citizens of Alaska aware of how hard our politicians make it for their constituents to do the right thing. Maybe if we Alaskans directly paid for the salaries (through taxes) of those who supposedly represent us, then we would be more cautious in who we vote for in the first place.
-- Craig Ely
Anchorage
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