Anchorage Daily News

Vote for those who help you

We have gladly accepted tax relief checks from our president. We have gladly accepted energy relief checks from our governor. We want gas prices to go down, and yet some people still don't support oil drilling in ANWR. We want the war to end, but some people don't want to support the troops on their mission to victory.

People wake up! Start giving back. Vote for keeping those relief checks coming in. Vote for ANWR, so we can have lower gas prices. Support our troops, so their hard work and sacrifices won't be in vain. Join me in voting for the McCain/Palin ticket.

-- Sherri Howard

Anchorage

Palin like Riddles, not Butcher

Sarah Palin reminds me of Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the Iditarod back in 1985. She was in the right place at the right time and willing to take a risk. She is no Susan Butcher though, never was and never will be.

-- Sue Faust

Seward

At best, governor is a hypocrite

I find it sad that Governor Palin is unwilling to allow the same ethical scrutiny of her own administration that she champions as her personal mission in "cleaning up government". Since being nominated to run for vice president with John McCain, she and her lawyer have made every attempt to limit the investigation of the firing of Walt Monegan and try to have it swept under the rug. The idea of turning the investigation over to the State Personnel Board, all loyal appointees of the governor, is ludicrous. I'm sure that Randy Ruedrich would have liked to choose his own investigative committee as well.

If Governor Palin has "nothing to hide" then why is she risking her reputation for honest and open government to hide the facts? At best, it seems our governor is a hypocrite. At worst, there is something to be found in an open investigation of the facts and the Legislature should not back down.

-- Deb McGimsey

Eagle River

Tobacco taxes are a win-win of revenue, lower consumption

Regarding the recent story regarding tobacco taxes, the purpose of tobacco taxes is to reduce youth initiation and consumption of tobacco products across the board. Revenue is welcomed but it is not the primary goal. Tobacco use kills Alaskans.

Fairbanks could raise their tax to $1 per pack. Other communities, such as Juneau could raise their tax from $.30 to $1. Revenues still increase because the higher tax rate per pack will bring in more new revenue than is lost from the tax-related drop in total pack sales. Some people will continue to smoke no matter how high the sale price and revenues will not vanish.

According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, "Tax increases of less than roughly 20 cents per pack or 10 percent of the average state pack price do not produce significant public health benefits or cost savings because the cigarette companies can easily offset the beneficial impact of such small increases with temporary price cuts, coupons, and other promotional discounting." Larger increments, such as a $1 increase are more beneficial.

Tobacco taxes are a "WIN-WIN" for Alaska. The public health benefits and communities generate revenue.

-- Anna Sappah

Smokefree Alaska Project

Anchorage

US needs informed vice president

The McCain/Palin campaign has been airing and approving "Swift Boat" style ads that distort or flat out lie about his opponent. They are counting on these distortions to earn them votes from the uninformed.

The only defense from "politics as usual" is to become better informed. Follow the lobbyist money. Compare the McCain voting record with the Bush Administation's failed policies. Then make an educated vote.

Our own Governor Palin still seems to think the Iraq war and the 9/11 terrorist attacks are linked, something even most of the Bush Administration has since rejected. And in the recent ABC interview Palin didn't seem to know what the Bush Doctrine, that led us into the Iraq war, was. Sorry Sarah, but the lack of attention to the last 7 years of foreign policy clearly make you a poor candidate for any office overseeing foreign policy, and presents a real concern for John McCain's judgement and motives.

Our troops emboiled in a war based on lies and deception deserve better. All America deserves better.

-- Dean A. Campodonico

Anchorage

Energy costs not the biggest problem facing Native Alaskans

In response to the Sept. 15 article, "Senate hearing in Bethel paints bleak economic picture," I would like to say that this is the first small step in many.

Alaskans must realize that the energy crisis is not the biggest issue faced by Alaskan Natives today. There is a threat to personal wellbeing that stems from the corrosion of culture, heritage, and a traditional way of life.

This loss goes as far back as the establishment of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The economies that Alaska Natives had to transition between were polar opposites. The former is a society focusing on the well-being of community and the latter an economy driven by personal benefit.

The concept that corporations would successfully co-exist with Native life has failed. Native peoples around Alaska flourished living off the land and utilizing renewable natural resources and not from dividend checks from Native corporations.

Government now looks in the direction of oil development in the backyards of Native villages instead of working towards sustainable options. The urbanization of Alaska Natives will not be the solution; it has not demonstrated a success. Consider the poverty rates now suffered by Natives in urban areas as well as rural villages. It is time that Alaska wakes up and realizes that Natives are not suffering purely from an energy crisis.

-- Cynthia Maxwell

Anchorage

Palin won't build the bridge, but she's sure willing to use it

Greetings from Nowhere, Alaska. I am a three-term Ketchikan City Council member. I am, and have always been, an opponent of the bridge, but Gov. Palin is taking a cheap shot.

The purpose of the bridge was not a quicker way to the airport (which actually it wouldn't be) but a way to reach developable land. Ketchikan is 30 miles long and 4 blocks deep -- jammed between the Pacific and mountains. A large hydro project will come on-line in two years but there are very few places suitable to build additional businesses or industry on this island.

The bridge was to open up a large expanse of flat land for development on Gravina Island. It was not a project created so greedy buffoons could drive to the airport. Gov. Palin knows this but continues to trot Ketchikan out for national ridicule.

What does it say about a leader who is willing to ridicule constituents to make political points?

-- Marty West

Ketchikan

A personal choice, not federal

I must respond to the accusation by Michael Smulski (9/12/08) who when referring to Sarah Palin's son, Trig, states "that if the liberals had their way, baby Trig would likely be dead." It saddens me that Michael, and many like him thoroughly misunderstand the position of those of us who support "choice." If we "liberals" had our way, baby Trig would be alive, well, and loved by those of us who know him. I absolutely support Sarah and Todd Palin's choice to have Trig. I only ask that our community, and more importantly, our government, allow each of us to make our own choice in this very personal decision.

-- Sharon Smith, MD MPH

Anchorage

Alaska needs Palin in D.C.

Partisan attacks and scapegoating of Gov. Palin and her administration need to stop. Alaskans have a once-in-100-year opportunity for one of their own to become vice president of the United States -- an articulate and respected Alaskan at that. Petroleum issues, gas line matters, concerns related to an absentee owner controlling most of our land, and the importance of fish and game are just a few issues Sarah Palin can explain to Americans from the vantage point of a McCain-Palin administration. As a Francophone, I advise we not be like the French who so often prefer defeat and collaboration over victory. This Wooten matter is of no greater importance than the size of tires on trooper vehicles, so let's be intelligent and end the partisan bickering. We need Gov. Palin looking out for us in Washington!

-- Tom Boutin

Juneau

To the Luscious Lobe: Meow!

Meow! If the Alaska Ear gets any cattier toward Gov. Palin, it's going to need a flea collar and a litter box.

As for poor ol' Mike Doogan getting burned out answering Outside media inquires about her, why am I not surprised? Do you know the difference between him and a snarky pit bull when it comes to constantly chewing on conservatives? Neither do I.

-- Nick C. Varney

Homer

Palin a fine candidate for 1850

Sarah Palin believes book-banning is her prerogative, Creationism needs to be taught, reproductive choice is not a woman's business, and abstinence-only classes are the only sex education our kids need.

She's a fine candidate for bringing America back. To the 19th century.

-- Michael A. LeMay

Homer

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