Murkowski needs to join Begich in health care reform

Sen. Lisa Murkowski claimed (Compass, June 19) that the health care bill in Congress was both "unworkable" and "unaffordable," citing cost estimates, a "broken" Medicare and what she believes is an onerous "massive government intervention." Fast-forward to the June 20 town hall forum hosted by Sen. Mark Begich, during which the vast majority of attendees supported a "public option" in a much-needed health care overhaul.

Add to that polling data that show 72 percent of Americans want a government-run plan, that most Americans are willing to pay more in taxes to have one available, and that the government would do a better job running health care than the insurance industry. Add to that the fact that 115,000 (18 percent) of Alaskans are uninsured, along with nearly 50 million other Americans.

What is becomes patently clear is that the current health care system in the U.S. is unworkable and unaffordable, and shamefully so. The Republican health care "plan" hasn't changed since the 1930s. Sen. Murkowski would do well to stop regurgitating Republican talking points and help Sen. Begich to push through the health care reform Americans and Alaskans so badly need.

-- Bill Siedler,

Wasilla

Scripture doesn't deny rights

If the Christian right believes a sin is a sin -- no matter the offense, including adultery and homosexuality -- why don't they legislate against equality for adulterers?

Although I was my senior class president at Anchorage Christian Schools (ACS), I now see the world through a somewhat different lens. At ACS I was taught to love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind ... and to love my neighbor as myself. But nowhere in the scriptures does it teach us to rank sins and deny equality to those whom we believe to be sinning. If that were the case, then none of us would be allowed any "rights."

-- Natalie A. Vaughn

ACS senior class president 1992

Austin, Texas

People need libraries open

Is anyone else concerned that the Anchorage public libraries will be open only four days a week from July 6 through Sept. 27? In a time when more people are using the services of public libraries nationwide -- to access computers, look for jobs, borrow instead of buy books -- it seems to send the wrong message that all of the Anchorage libraries will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday for 11 weeks.

I know these are tight times for budgets, but this seems counterproductive and will add a burden to those who most need the services.

-- Ann Morgester

Anchorage

Workers aren't extensions of those who employ them

I'd like to give thanks to Dan Fagan for correctly labeling much of the anti-discrimination ordinance's critics' more hysterical rants as nonsense. It does seem that he, and his hypothetical Fred the Employer, are honestly struggling with how to combine personal belief with fairness.

Here is where Dan/Fred goes wildly awry: Fred "believes that his employees are an extension of him." He does? That's not so much a religious belief he has there as a boundaries issue. Employees are not progeny, buddies or pets. They're obligated to do the job they're hired to do well and honestly. If they happen to have some life-changing personal experience: a religious conversion, a big shift of political opinion, a divorce, a coming out -- even if they're making what seem to Fred to be bad, albeit perfectly legal, choices -- that's their business. If their job performance isn't affected, they shouldn't be liable to be fired. The lives they express and extend are theirs. Fred is only answerable for his own.

-- Barb Clark

Anchorage

Proposition protects everyone except the business owner

Proposition 64 is not a trivial one. Everyone, as an American citizen, is guaranteed certain inalienable rights. But this is a double-edged sword. The homosexual is free to apply to any job for which he or she is amply qualified, but the business owner is also free to choose to whom he will extend the job. Right or wrong, the right to choose with whom you will associate is your right as an American.

If one is hired for a position within a company and has to work alongside people with whom he or she feels uncomfortable, then that person is free to quit. If the business owner is forced to hire this person, what are they to do? Quit the business they own?

More than anything, this is an opportunity for individual liberties to be secured to all but the person who owns the business.

When the business owners are forced to comply with codes of conduct that require the voiding of the First Amendment, the people of nontraditional sexual orientation are essentially pandered to, conveying the idea that they are unable to secure employment on their own merits.

-- Ron Yeager

Anchorage

I have rights too

I went to see and hear for myself the vacant arguments presented by members of the Anchorage Baptist Temple against passage of a gay rights ordinance. They argue for the freedom to choose to discriminate against anyone whose behavior they judge to be morally wrong.

It follows, then, if some people have a right to discriminate in this way, I too must have that same right to deny housing, employment, even restaurant service to any Baptist whom I believe to be a bigot and morally wrong.

It was not long ago when similar God-fearing zealots fought against interracial marriage, believing it to be a "sin." Jerry Prevo and his devout followers may be clamorous, but they are not the majority.

-- Marie Bair

Anchorage

Clean energy policy vital

I am very pleased by the decision of Sen. Begich to plan a climate change tour for national senators in August. As our state has been called the canary in the coal mine for climate change, as an Alaskan, I am grateful for the senator's choice to bring national attention to this pressing issue.

Now, as citizens, we must write to Sen. Murkowski and let her know that clean energy and climate action are major priorities for Alaska citizens. Our senators must vote for the American Clean Energy and Security Act to create a comprehensive clean energy policy to take advantage of Alaska's enormous renewable energy potential, stimulate job creation in the green sector, and crack down on the harmful pollution that leads to climate change.

-- Sam Shore

Anchorage

Sen. Boxer not welcome here

Plans are for Sen. Mark Begich to bring a bunch of U.S. senators to Alaska and take a look at statewide climate change problems. Seems like an OK thing to do, except for one problem. Sen. Barbara Boxer is not welcome in our state at this time! At least, that's the consensus I get from most everyone I've talked to. My friends say that until the lady publicly apologizes to Brig. Gen. Michael J. Walsh for her rude and demeaning behavior, Sen. Boxer needs to stay put in California and concentrate on fixing the zillions of problems lurking within. Do I hear an "Amen"?

-- Michael Hankins

Anchorage

People make route pleasant

I recently took up jogging and riding my bike to work. My route inevitably takes me up the stretch of Elmore Road between Abbott and Tudor. This is a pretty popular area for bikers, joggers, walkers and their pets, and the occasional person riding their horse. I have been very pleasantly surprised at how courteous people are and I wanted to say thank you. For the most part, people are quick to get in single file so you can pass, bikers let you know in advance which side they are going to pass on, people either nod or say hello as they pass you, people with dogs keep them leashed. It's just a generally pleasant experience. So again, thank you to everyone who has made this experience so much more enjoyable.

-- Melanie Truba

Anchorage

Choices shouldn't bar rights

I am not Christian. I am proud to live in a nation that values and protects my freedom to live as I feel appropriate. It is my responsibility to support the protection of these freedoms.

Religion is a personal lifestyle as much as homosexuality, vegetarianism or being a reenactment enthusiast. I would not want any of these choices barring someone from basic rights. My father is a veteran and I have friends serving in the war overseas. This above all tells me that it is imperative we stop treating any of our fellow Americans as second-class citizens.

-- Marie Raven

Anchorage

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