A different type of donation
It has been nearly a year since our son, Mike, lost his life to PTSD; something he brought back from his tour in Iraq. Many friends and family donated money to help support his widow and young daughter who has now lived without her dad almost as long as with him. We don't know all the names of the individuals who gave — but hope you know our gratitude for your gifts remains strong. Many also gave words of support and sent cards we still cherish.
Mike was a loving and generous person. In his death, our family believed he would want to continue giving through donation of his organs.
We recently received a letter from an individual who received his right kidney. About 10 years ago, at age 39, a genetic autoimmune disease caused her kidneys to fail. While many of her friends and family stepped up to donate, no one was a match. She needed dialysis three to four times a week. After five years of this and additional problems, she could no longer work.
This is how she describes the power of organ donation in her life, "As my recovery progressed I felt physically transformed. I could breathe while laying down without the aid of several pillows propped under my neck and head which I always needed to prevent fluid build-up in my lungs … Doctors removed the plastic dialysis tubes that had run out of my neck and across my chest. … By having a powerful kidney I no longer needed dialysis. … I feel inspired with and by your gift of life. … My family send thanks to yours. … I recognize that your gift is the essence of my moment's joy."
There is not one of us whose family is untouched by death. When death does come, we wish for you the love and support of friends and family. We hope in those early moments of tragedy and sorrow, you can also find a way to give.
— Pat and Karen Roth
Anchorage
Time for Alaskans to grow up
Well, Alaskans, it looks like we are all grown up now. We have to start paying our own way.
I'm encouraged Gov. Walker has presented a plan. Legislators, the time for action has come.
A five-minute search on the Internet yielded some tax stats most of you know. How many states have no income tax AND no sales tax? Only Alaska. How many states pay hundreds (or thousands) of dollars annually to each qualifying citizen? Only Alaska. This is an unsustainable situation. We can no longer rely on others to pay our bills.
I hope you elected officials can look past the petty party ideals and reach consensus. Seek compromise and balance. Maybe a small income tax, plus a small sales tax, plus a small "tax" on the Permanent Fund is the key.
Now is a time to face facts. Now is a time for responsible action. Now is a time for leadership.
— Christopher Michl
Palmer
Need good comics in this world
It's time to bring back "Grin-n-bare-it" to the funny papers. Only Sen. Snort can give proper voice to the political theater going on in our national political parties today. A good sense of humor is essential for living in the modern world.
— Jeffery S. Wilson
Anchorage
Legislators only want to keep their jobs, not actually do them
So the Legislature is again sticking with the idea of more cuts to government. Perhaps they should look at themselves first. Do we really need 40 representatives and 20 senators and all of their staff? These 60 people are more concerned about keeping their jobs as opposed to doing their jobs.
For example, in typical political fashion, Sen. Wielechowski would rather wait for oil prices to go up again. Nothing short of a major world crisis will make that happen. His next ridiculous comment regards capping the dividend, saying a cap would be a near $5,000 hit for a family of four. Of course this is based on dividends continuing to be $2,000 or more, from here on out. Wielechoski seems to forget that as recent ly as 2013 the PFD was $900 and the year before that $878. I don't think anybody suffered financially then.
I would rather have a reduced PFD knowing there's troopers or EMT services available when needed, and not the next day, or that students have quality education. Again someone explain to me the logic of having an income tax that takes money out the economy on a weekly, bimonthly or monthly basis only to have a PFD given once a year that for the most part evaporates within days of payout. Institute the POMV, it's a win-win for everyone. Dividends are still paid, government is funded and hard-working Alaskans don't suffer.
— Don Duff
Anchorage
Legislature too lazy for cuts
So let me get this straight. Since our state Legislature and our governor do not want to do the work they were sent to do, we are now gonna be taxed more and have the dividend stolen. Saying they can't cut enough is not only dishonest it is pure laziness. People get who they vote for and here you go.
— Frank Wright
Wasilla
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