Anchorage Daily News

Republicans stick to ideology no matter what people want

Sen. Lisa Murkowski's Compass piece "Health care bill unworkable, unaffordable" was a real downer! With that attitude we would not even have Social Security. The Republicans opposed Medicare when it passed in 1965. They are very consistent in sticking with their ideology regardless of the needs of their constituents.

Republicans ignore the fact that the VA has been running a successful health care program since 1930 and that most federal employees, even Republicans, are enrolled in government-run health care. And because of the popularity of Medicare, 72 percent of Americans support a government-run public plan.

That support was demonstrated at Sen. Mark Begich's upbeat town hall meeting last Saturday. We can afford a public health insurance program.

Even the highest estimates of the cost are less that the $1.8 trillion cost of the Bush tax cuts that the Republicans thought were so good for the economy in 2001.

I hope Sen. Murkowski can develop a positive attitude and be part of the solution. She admits our health care system is broken; her job is to help fix it.

-- Duane Howe

Homer

Religion isn't above the law

Freedom of religion actually means the freedom to worship where and when and what you please. It doesn't guarantee the right to break the law just because your religion tells you to.

What if I said my religion required me not to hire women or African-Americans? Or required me to have two wives? Or required the sacrifice of children? What if I refused to rent to Christians because my religion required me not to associate with people who willfully persisted in worshipping their own god instead of mine? Would anyone take seriously my claim of freedom of religion in defense of those actions?

I doubt it ... and they'd be right.

Freedom of religion is NOT freedom to discriminate. That so many people in this city do not understand this proves the necessity for Ordinance 64.

-- Patti J. Saunders

Anchorage

Knik bridge would give area much-needed elbow room

Sheila Selkregg's letter exposes the attitude of many of the wealthier people in Anchorage: "Don't take our money away!" Anchorage is overcrowded, with nearly half of Alaska's population squeezed into a small triangle of land only 10 miles from tip to tip. I have no faith in high-rise properties after losing our home in Turnagain during the 1964 earthquake: Anchorage is built on glacial silt.

The Knik Arm bridge will alleviate much of the overcrowding that poses a danger to buildings and aggravates the social ills of a city being divided more and more into rich and poor. Only the wealthier citizens of Anchorage can afford housing that isn't crowded into zero lot lines or apartments.

As a sociologist, I know that overcrowding creates poverty and the crime that goes with it. The attitude that the Knik Arm bridge should be set aside for "more important" road projects reflects the arrogance of the Anchorage elite. The rest of Alaska is tired of the attitude that Anchorage is the only community of any importance. Build the Knik Arm bridge and let Alaska grow!

-- Dr. Becky Usry

Wasilla

Kott, Kohring letters upsetting

It bothers me to read in the letters to the editor that Mr. Kott and Mr. Kohring are convicted felons. They are convicted felons because the government attorneys cheated. Information was withheld from the defense attorneys and the jury that might have caused the jury to decide differently.

-- Omer Carey

Anchorage

Attacks on Prevo come from people who don't know him

My wife and I have been attending Jerry Prevo's church for 37-plus years, and have listened to over 1,000 hours of his sermons. No doubt those spewing hate and untruths in letters don't know Jerry Prevo, have not listened to him preach the Word of God, worked alongside him, shared a meal, or been in a hunting camp sharing stories as I have. I think that we know the man well and never in that time have I heard one word of hate for his fellow man come from his mouth.

He does not hate man, he hates sin. This man has only love and concern for members of his church, the people of Anchorage, the state of Alaska and the rest of the world.

I ask those accusing this man of hate, intolerance, and other vile things to get to know him. Make an appointment to speak with him, come to church and listen to him preach and then with a little knowledge of truth make an intelligent judgment.

But even after you have done that remember that just as you have the freedom to speak out against Jerry Prevo, he has the freedom to speak out against sin. Just because he became preacher of the Gospel does not mean he surrendered his God-granted inalienable rights or the rights granted by the Constitution of the United States of America to Free speech.

-- William H. Merrill, Jr.

Anchorage

No to public health option

Some say that the public option program for health insurance is needed to compete with private insurers -- to "keep them honest." This is grossly dishonest.

A public option would soon be the only option -- no private companies would be able to compete. Why? First, it would be tax-subsidized, either at the outset or as required to support politically determined high benefits and low rates. Second, most current versions of the House and Senate bills would also stop insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on current known illnesses/risk factors. As has happened in New York and New Jersey, private insurers would have to charge exorbitant rates to avoid losses, because the people most in need of care would have the greatest incentive to seek coverage.

This situation -- where virtually no one has coverage except through their employer -- resulted from government meddling.

-- Bill Chapman

Eagle River

Public health insurance needed

Private health insurance has bought legislators and laws solely to fatten or protect their bottom line. A system where the fundamental operating strategy is to deny claims, one which never covers "prior' conditions, as if the victim were to blame for their illness, is not delivering medical care, it is profiteering from suffering and death. The professionals who actually deliver health care deserve excellent pay; let's amputate the insurance industry rip-off artists in favor of single payer, this will reduce personal bankruptcies, suffering and untimely deaths.

-- Thomas R. Wilson

Anchorage

Reader will pray for tolerance

I find it rather ironic that a half a world away, in a pseudo-democracy, the people are taking to the streets in support of basic human rights. While here in Anchorage, in the home of democracy, our community is divided over whether all people should be extended those same rights. For those of you who preach hate I will pray that you will find tolerance.

-- Michael Henrich

Anchorage

Backbone needed

As Dr. King stated, the American Dream definitely includes being judged on the "content of your character."

For those Assembly members who are afraid to do the right thing regarding our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender discrimination problem: All they have to do is look outside at that sea of red T-shirts being worn by many people who don't even live here.

Of all things imaginable, they want to discriminate against valuable members of my community. It is hard for me to look at such bigotry!

I hope the Assembly members have the backbone required to do the right thing.

-- Chuck O'Connell

Anchorage

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