Anchorage Daily News

Win or lose, Palin has shown nation, Alaska she's a class act

Sarah shows great class in both dress, words and deeds. She has a wonderful sense of humor. She is the epitome of a "lady."

Whether our Sarah goes to the White House, or returns to Alaska, we are all winners! She will either be VP or return as our governor.

Perhaps Wally Hickel can join with our Sarah to set up a PFD-type fund for all Americans when ANWR is opened to drilling. After all, ANWR is federal land, so we should all share.

-- Jo Pickett

Big Lake

Palin speech not only offensive, it showed her elitist nature

What struck me about Sarah Palin's acceptance speech was how readily she embraced the politics of fear, distortion and destruction that is the stock and trade of those running the Republican Party. Particularly offensive was her ridicule of Barack Obama's community organizing. Community organizing is a good thing; it helps the most disadvantaged of our society help themselves. Barack Obama's work included a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program and a tenants' rights organization.

Who then are the real "elitists," if not those who, from their positions of privilege and power, ridicule those who help our most disadvantaged?

-- John Strasenburgh

Talkeetna

If we lose our governor, at least we gain an ally in Washington

Sarah Palin's selection has balanced the tickets on both sides, and Sen. Obama is now faced with the difficult task of substantiating the "change" he has been offering. His almost-certain victory is now in jeopardy, because both of the campaigns must now focus on the "issues" that affect our nation instead of the candidates themselves.

Sarah Palin is an Alaskan with Alaska's interests at heart. Illinois residents should feel cheated; Sen. Obama has been campaigning for president since the day he won his Senate seat.

We may lose our governor with Sen. McCain's choice of running mate, but we will gain a very powerful ally in Washington. We most certainly haven't been abandoned; we get to go along for the ride.

-- Marcus Reed

Anchorage

Even though teens giving birth is not uncommon, it is disturbing

In this media-driven, reality-show-watching, celebrity-magazine culture, it's hard to know what is truly typical behavior. The National Vital Statistics Report on the 2006 teen birth rate indicates a rate of 41.9 births per 1,000 for 15- to 19-year-old American women. While still a social concern, this 4.2 percent birth rate doesn't suggest it is a "typical" family problem. Although births to teen mothers are not uncommon, the vast majority of 15- to 19-year-old women in the United States are not becoming mothers.

-- Deb Ward

Anchorage

Begich energy plan could reduce greenhouse gases by 80 percent

The issue of global warming is important to me because, as a teen, this is the world that I am going to be living in. It is important that we take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now, before it is too late.

Mark Begich has an energy plan to reduce emissions nationally and statewide by 25 percent before 2018. By 2050 he wants to reduce greenhouse gases by 80 percent. His energy plan will provide reliable, sustainable and affordable energy to Alaska families. He believes Alaska should responsibly develop our nonrenewable and renewable resources, in order to improve the local economy, and will push for national funding in order to do so.

We need to clean up our world now, and Mark Begich can help.

-- Tonya Parish

Anchorage

Showing transparency as mayor, Begich shows worth as senator

Political corruption has devastated Alaska's voice in the U.S. Senate. As a first-time voter, I am finally given an opportunity to help change policy in Washington in hopes of restoring Alaska's tainted reputation. The recent scandals within our political system only highlight how needed the topic of ethics reform is. This election I will choose to end an era marred by dishonest politicians and Big Oil. With a proven transparency in city government, and a comprehensive plan to add accountability in Washington, I feel confident Mark Begich will deliver the same ethical benchmarks as he did as mayor, which is exactly why he earns my vote on Nov. 4.

-- Nic Sedenquist

Anchorage

If people living in Bush are tired of high prices, they should move

Dana Diehl wrote a letter to the editor complaining there are villages in Alaska that live in Third World conditions. Do not most Alaskans think it is time for the state to pull in purse strings? We are carrying and fully supporting most of these people. Why should everyone pay for those who want to live there because of so-called tradition? They can move to where things are less costly and find a job to do it.

-- Bill Davis

Soldotna

McCain's presidential platform would burden the working class

While it is exciting that Alaska's governor was appointed vice-presidential candidate on McCain's ticket, all eyes and minds should more importantly be on the presidential candidates' platforms. And the fact is McCain's direction for the country is actually not just four more years of George W. Bush, but, simply put, a swift flanking to the political right.

He plans to shift the tax burden on the working classes by taxing health-care benefits, costing Americans who have employer-based packages a total of $3.6 trillion; in the meantime, he is blatantly dishonest about Obama's plan to cut taxes for 80 percent of Americans.

McCain rather wants to give away billions of dollars more of tax-payer money to oil giants such as Exxon -- companies already making record profits! His job creation plan does not even compare to Obama's plan that will create 5 million green-sector jobs that cannot be outsourced. McCain is thrusting the culture wars of the past on the American people, while Obama is working to heal the deep divide this country has suffered for the past three decades.

In a time of massive underemployment, economic woes and international instability, voters should choose the candidate whose policies serve to uplift the lower and middle classes, the hard-working classes most likely to restore the promise and power of the United States.

-- David Vano

Anchorage

TransCanada pipeline deal distorts Palin talk about more jobs in US

Alaska governor and VP nominee Palin successfully nourished the Republican convention audience with hopes of more "jobs for America" during her acceptance speech. But how many jobs are going to TransCanada Inc. with the gas pipeline award -- and $500 million of Alaskans' funds -- that would otherwise stay in America?

-- Doug Gorgoni

Anchorage

Piper Palin smoothing Trig's hair wonderful testimony to first family

One of the high points of Palin's acceptance speech was little Piper lovingly smoothing the hair of her baby brother, Trig.

The thought occurred to me that if the liberals had their way, baby Trig would likely be dead.

Now I think I understand why the Palin family is willing to give up their wonderful Alaska lifestyle with the lake home and float plane for the challenging lifestyle of D.C.

Thanks to Sarah and family for your sacrifice on behalf of the people of Alaska and this great country.

-- Michael Smulski

Eagle River

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