Anchorage Daily News

Stevens' votes based on greed

In the next few weeks, Alaska will find out if we have elected a recently convicted felon to the Senate.

As a born and raised Alaskan, I have watched as greed has warped our state. It was greed that led many of our politicians to take bribes from Bill Allen, most of them embarrassingly small. It was greed that led Ted Stevens to have gratis work done on his token Alaska residence,work he easily could afford). And roughly half of Alaska voted to keep Stevens in office because of greed. Some Alaskans can't comprehend how we can continue to function without the constant flow of federal money he provides.

It seems that people don't choose to live here because it is one of the last true wilderness areas of the world, or because of the live-and-let- live values and self-reliant attitude that Alaska is known for. It seems many of the people who call themselves Alaskans now do so because they can easily get high-paying jobs in the oil fields or on federally funded construction projects. It is love of money, not love of Alaska, that keeps them here, and keeps men like Stevens and Don Young in power. I for one am deeply saddened to see just how far we have fallen.

-- Erik Boraas

Soldotna

Alaska vote embarrassing

If your wife or husband is prostituting or selling drugs, do you stay married because they keep bringing home the bacon? I am totally embarrassed and in disbelief that Ted Stevens and Don Young have been apparently re-elected. Illegal and questionable behavior should never be rewarded.

-- Kevin Kaiakokonok

Seward

Real change needed in hearts

Toni Faubion-Truesdell showed true fortitude in publishing "Why glorify hunting" for an Alaska audience. However, I think she has gotten in front of herself in her priorities. A society that condones the sexual abuse of pornography as free speech, promotes a pop culture that teaches young women to exploit their bodies at the cost of their mind and then tells them that murdering the unborn that result is only a choice neither disdains slavery or the subjugation of women. Toni, bring your courage back a few step and join me in supporting real change, not in law, but in the hearts and mind of America.

-- Kathleen Chamberlain

Anchorage

Unopposed senator not wanted

I see that you did not post the write-in vote numbers in the Alaska election returns today. They are rather illuminating. Sen. Hollis French (D) ("this could lead to impeachment," "October surprise") ran unopposed for Senate District M. He was re-elected with 7,170 votes. However, there were 771 (9.71 percent) write-in votes against him. This percentage is more than double the write-ins against any other candidate on the ballot.

I know a Democrat who said he wrote-in Todd Palin for French's seat. Furthermore, I and no doubt many other voters in this district refused to cast a vote at all for this slot. Perhaps voters in this district are dissatisfied with Sen. French's behavior and his use of taxpayer dollars while in office.

I urge anyone, Democrat or Republican, with the interest and qualifications to run for Senate District M to do so in the next election.

-- J.D. Bannan

Anchorage

Obama eligibility still questioned

I have been reading with interest the stories that potential Obama appointees are being reviewed by the CIA and other federal agencies for security clearances. Just wondering if anyone will apply the same security review to Obama and his wife. I suspect that both of them would fail!

Hopefully the federal lawsuit demanding Obama's birth records will finally prove that he is not an American by birth and not eligible to assume the office of president of the United States.

Three cheers to those Alaskans who voted to return Ted Stevens and Don Young to Congress. I predict that Ted Stevens will beat Mark Begich in the final count. Best wishes to Mark Begich as he resumes his career in real estate!

-- Don Smith

Anchorage

Ignorance should be reprimanded

I'm an African-American female who has a biracial kid, and I recently found a highly offensive Web site where they mention assassinating the president-elect repeatedly. They constantly use the N-word racial slur.

It disheartens me that such ignorance is present in modern society. I think the guilty parties, aka the posters, should be put under watch by the FBI then reprimanded for Internet abuse.

-- Tashelle Nunn

Anchorage

Federal dependence weakens all

Alaska has long been the last bastion of individual self-reliance and independent thought in the entire United States. The Daily News endorsement of the man who is the very antithesis of those concepts is exceedingly disappointing. President-elect Obama wants the general populace to become more dependent on government for their livelihood, housing, education and health care. All of which, naturally, will give the government more control over what they do, where they live, how they are educated and what quality of care they will receive.

I look forward to the next election, when this trend toward becoming a nation of grown-up-infants can be turned back and we can continue to become a nation of mature, independent, innovative, motivated and free adults.

-- Joni Cody

Homer

Stevens is not fit to serve

Alaska is a red state, there is no doubt about that. However, there are reasonable limits to party loyalty. Voting for a convicted felon is beyond die-hard loyalty, it's borderline crazy.

Sen. Ted Stevens served Alaska very well in the past, but he betrayed us through his unethical conduct and dishonesty. An honorable man loyal to his state and party would have removed himself from the race at the beginning of the ethics investigation in order to give the GOP time to field a valid candidate against Mark Begich.

Stevens insulted Alaskans by not taking responsibility for his own transgressions and stepping down in the face of this humiliation. Instead, Alaskans were asked to vote for a convicted felon in order to defeat a Democrat. Sen. Stevens will most likely be unceremoniously thrown from the Senate by an expulsion vote. He can no longer serve Alaska and has further besmirched the name of Alaska politics.

Alaskans, please take a good, hard look at yourself, your elected officials and your party. At what point will you follow your own moral compass rather than federal money or your party line?

-- Kirsten Valentine

Eagle River

Alaskans showed their greed

Where are the people of substance? My people were taught there were values that could never be compromised. Honesty, hard work and loyalty to our families were paramount. Responsibility was a given.

I am deeply disappointed that the majority of voters in Alaska still support a senator who has been found guilty of seven separate felonies. Greed and entitlement of the rich seem to be accepted by far too many state citizens. A vote for Stevens was a vote for corruption.

This is my home. My ancestors lived hard lives here, protected the environment and treated others with respect. They took responsibility for their own lives. There was no Bill Allen to compromise their integrity. There was no need for a Bill Allen.

Supporters of Stevens have put a face on Alaska that we must forever wear with shame. For those people to elect a known criminal screams in the face of honor.

May Creator guide our footsteps in the difficult times ahead.

-- Janet Daniels

Anchorage

We're too used to corruption

Alaska is so used to corrupted lawmakers that it welcomes back Ted Stevens.

-- Isaac Kulowiyi

Savoonga

Obama is obligated to the people

Obama is a humanitarian, similar in his social perspectives to John F. Kennedy. Like Kennedy, no one owns Obama. The obligations of these leaders are strictly made to the people of America.

Kennedy freed blacks from white tyranny. Obama will free whites from their tyranny of greed.

America will change with Obama in power.

-- Judith Lyon

Anchorage

Americans are Alaskans' peers

You can spout off on "if the trial had been in Alaska" all you want, but Ted Stevens was convicted in a federal court by a jury of his peers, and yes, they were his peers. Whether they live in Alaska makes absolutely no difference. This ludicrous manipulation of state pride has to stop.

-- Madeline Klever

Anchorage

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