And how is this a bad thing?

Bill Chapman says in his letter (June 28) that we should not have a public health care option because it would put private health insurance out of business. He says the public option would support "high benefits and low rates," making it impossible for private insurance to compete. In addition, private insurance companies would be prohibited from "denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on current known illnesses/risk factors." He states that under these conditions, private insurance would operate at a loss and go out of business.

I ask, what is wrong with this? If a public health option can deliver high benefits and low premiums, how is this a bad thing? How is it bad to provide coverage to everybody, regardless of known illnesses or risk factors. Shouldn't we have the more efficient system, whether that be public or private?

-- Ryan Sis

Anchorage

Homeless part of city fabric

The recent unexplained deaths of seven homeless men in Anchorage have caused an outpouring of comments -- some concerned and compassionate, some less so. In the face of a tragedy like this, I believe there are several things we as a community need to remember.

First, regardless of the circumstances of these men's deaths, their families deserve respect and dignity, and need our compassion and support as they move through their grief.

Secondly, we must remember that these men -- and the rest of our city's homeless population -- are members of our community. Despite the challenges they may face -- homelessness, mental and physical disabilities, drug and alcohol addiction -- they are part of the fabric of our community.

Finally, we must remember that alcohol and substance abuse is not a path people choose to follow. Rather, it is an addiction that people need help and support -- from their community -- to heal from.

-- Denise R. Morris

President/CEO

Alaska Native Justice Center

Anchorage

No qualms with Reagan era

One of your letter writers misrepresented President Reagan's policies. The rich did get rich and the poor got good jobs. I ask what is the problem?

The way wealth was redistributed during the Reagan years was with lower taxes which led to more jobs for the people that needed them (the poor). More jobs led to more revenue from more taxes paid in. This led to unprecedented economic growth.

The big cost during the Reagan years was the military build-up that eventually led to a free Eastern Europe and the fall of communism in Russia. Talk to anyone in Germany, (the Berlin Wall coming down) Poland or Czechoslovakia and they will thank God for President Reagan.

President Reagan dealt with a disastrous economy, gas lines and double digit inflation thanks to the Carter administration.

-- James Irvine

Palmer

Divest Fund from Sudan

I never thought I would be complicit in genocide but accepting the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend has made me an unwilling participant in crimes against humanity. While the people of Darfur are being eradicated, the fund remains invested in companies doing business in the Sudan.

The governor and state legislators did not act in this session to require the Permanent Fund to divest. Our state politicians are knowingly contributing to this horrific act against humanity by their inaction.

Humanitarian groups are ineffective as the Sudanese government allows them into the country one month only to remove them the next, crippling efforts to provide long-term, sustainable aid.

If we are not going to stand up as humanitarian, then I refuse to be complicit in accepting blood money. I want my PFD to go for buying weapons and educating the people of Darfur to protect themselves from being ethnically cleansed. I would like to challenge each Alaskan to do the same. Stop genocide today!

-- Alfred L. Sellers

Anchorage

Some Biblical rules ignored

We as Christians have not interpreted the Holy Bible strictly enough and have let society fall into deep ruin. Here are some of the following things the Bible clearly bans yet we happen to clearly allow:

Polyester, or any other fabric blends (Leviticus 19:19). Letting people without testicles into church (Deuteronomy 23:1). Wearing gold (Timothy 2:9). Eating shellfish (Leviticus 11:10). Tattoos (Leviticus 19:28). Football (Leviticus 11:8). Round haircuts (Leviticus 19:27).

We as Christians must enforce the Bible with strong hearts and minds upon society.

-- Jaron Satrunino

Anchorage

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