Legislators need to focus on budget, not campus gun bill
I just read through Senate Bill 174, which would permit concealed-carry firearms in all public access areas of the University of Alaska campuses. Judging from the names of the sponsors, I suspect this has more to do with blind allegiance to the Second Amendment and less to do with any realistic or well-thought-out purpose or goal. Armed student takes down campus gunman, prevents massacre? Pretty far-fetched. I can, however, see it making the campus less safe, not more.
Have any of these clueless senators spent a weekend in a college dorm where alcohol flows freely and students stagger back drunk in the wee hours after last call in the downtown bars? I spent four years of such weekends. Well, breaking news, guys, alcohol can seriously impair judgement, concentration, coordination and can precipitate reckless behavior. Add a loaded handgun to this mix and you've got a tragedy waiting to happen.
I support the right to bear arms. I own several guns. But there are places where guns do not belong — places like bars and college dorms where alcohol is consumed.
I urge the senators attached to this bill to deep-six this unnecessary ideological nonsense and focus instead on fixing Alaska's budget crisis.
— William M. Cox M.D.
Anchorage
Users must respect cannabis culture's standards at clubs
What clause of the Alaska Constitution protects our Ravin rights? Section 22, Article 1 of the state Constitution reads: "Right of Privacy. The right of the people to privacy is recognized and shall not be infringed. The legislature shall implement this section," (amendment approved Aug. 22, 1972 — Effective Oct. 14, 1972).
Protected by Alaska's express constitutional right to privacy, the private cannabis social club expands the privacy zone of the home to the private cannabis club that admits members only. The process to become a club member includes cultural scrutiny of the individual. Does this individual observe cannabis cultural standards of decorum and respect? Is the individual willing to discuss club rules, and sign off on rules; pay monthly and daily membership fees, and continue to behave in a friendly, respectful manner? Membership can be revoked for cause, at which time the member returns to public status, and may no longer enter the club.
— Lindianne Sarno
Homer
Any tax would add to burden of small business owners
Consider the effects any tax implementation will have on small business.
According to the National Small Business Association, more than 70 million people in the U.S. work for or run a small business. According to the most recent World Bank Rankings, the U.S. ranks 72nd in terms of dealing with and paying taxes. The latest IRS data (2011) indicate 64 percent of small businesses spend over 40 hours dealing with federal taxes. An Alaska income tax would increase that burden. The overwhelming majority of small businesses, 83 percent, pay taxes on their business at the personal income level, or so-called "pass-through" entities. According to the Treasury Inspector General, the majority of audits (62 percent on S-corporations) resulted in no recommended changes to what was initially filed indicating, "the agency is spending a significant amount of resources on unproductive audits."
The NSBA endorses the "FairTax:" www.nsba.biz/Tax-Reform-Checklist.pdf.
— Wiley Brooks
Alaska state director
Americans for Fair Taxation
Anchorage
Recession tag is self-fulfilling
ADN's Feb. 24 front-page headline read "Moody's Analytics slaps 'recession' label on Alaska." May I suggest that the word 'recession' has an emotional resonance? Many readers scan headlines and don't read articles, drawing the conclusion that Alaska is in fact in a recession. And then they behave economically as if it is true. A self-fulfilling prophecy. We're not there yet, and may avoid it if our Legislature acts quickly enough.
— Louise Lazur
Anchorage
State's wrong on bears, wolves
Regarding Vic Van Ballenberghe's ADN commentary of Feb. 19, I am firmly in his corner rooting for his point of view. Oh, would that the Alaska Board of Game agreed "most Alaskans support wildlife management on federal lands based on proven conservation principles, sound science and traditional ethical standards. But at the same time they oppose highly controversial, extreme measures to reduce or eliminate wolves and bears over vast areas."
We cheer when wolf cubs are rescued from their den in a forest fire, but do most Alaskans know those same cubs could have been legally gassed in their den? We adore pictures of both animals, but allow them to be destroyed in cruel and unethical ways. Our state is schizophrenic when it comes to bears and wolves. I have lived in the state since 1962 and it has never been worse.
— Robyn Lauster
Anchorage
Alaska's political reality show
Legislative challenges this year: massive state budget deficit threatening to crush Alaska, impoverish citizens, gut state services and possibly contribute to global warming.
Legislative accomplishments to date: passed law to facilitate Dave and Buster's in Dimond Center mall.
— Aileen Holthaus
Anchorage
Alaskans feel good about pot
I read the ADN every day, and for some time now not a day goes by that there isn't an article or two, or opinion piece, on the dire condition of the state economy, or how some local or state representative or community is trying to ban or curtail marijuana in some way. Today, Feb. 14, one article really took the prize; it was about how the state health department was doing surveys on how Alaskans feel about marijuana. My advice — we feel good about it and voted to make it legal so stop all the nonsense about banning, curtailing, and studying, and stop spending money you say we don't have anyway.
— Vince Volpe
Sutton
Alaska women: Shed shroud of silence over income disparity
It is time to stop the silence.
The wages of our fellow community members are being held hostage by the power and privilege of the very organizations that employ them. The gender pay gap still exists around the country and Alaska is one of the worst offenders. YWCA reports that women in Alaska are paid 67.8 cents for every $1 a man makes. Senate minority leader, Sen. Berta Gardner, discusses how women are simply often unaware they are making less money than men.
This is a call to action for everyone in Alaska — it is time to throw off the shroud of silence about your income. Take it upon yourself to empower others with knowledge so that they can use it to improve their wages. When women are paid less money, our economy suffers by having less money pumped back into it, our families struggle to pay the rent, and we agree to passively participate in the discrimination of our peers.
We can embrace the opportunity to speak up for others — so start talking about how much money you make and get the conversation moving.
— Andrea Jurewicz
Eagle River
Time to question legalized drug pushers and their TV ads
I applaud President Barack Obama for directing resources toward prevention and treatment of drug addiction rather than incarcerating those who suffer this illness (Obama commentary, ADN, Feb. 6). However, there is another issue that begs attention. Like millions of others, I smoked marijuana in the 1970s but did not move on to heroin. We know the most common gateway drugs are prescription medications. Heroin deaths have soared since 2002. When did TV drug ads begin? Perhaps it is time to ask why we have legalized drug pushing on national TV.
— Terri Mach
Homer
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