Everyone deserves health care

I get the feeling that many objecting to health care reform are ones who have it pretty good. Protective of their group-provided benefits with relatively low premiums and lots of choices, they're quick to object to any change, especially when they fear an increase in taxes.

Everyone deserves undeniable access to health care at a reasonable cost, not just employees lucky enough to have insurance through group plans. This is a national responsibility. Just as we collectively provide ourselves with a public education system, fire and police protection, national defense, air traffic control, weather service and much more, we should provide one of the most elemental of necessities -- health care.

-- Richard Hanas

Anchorage

Jewel's performance awesome

I was lucky enough to see Jewel Thursday, and can only say a lot of people missed a great night. Her voice was awesome, she had family and friends with her and she told tales of singing as a little girl at the Captain Cook, the Gaslight and the Tradewinds Lounge on Spenard.

Anybody who thinks she "sold out" Alaska should have been there. True to her Kilcher lineage, she told tales of toughing it out as a teenager Outside and showed a vocal range very few humans can accomplish. Her family should be proud but I'm sure they already are.

Welcome home, kid.

-- Bruce Orton

Anchorage

Hate crimes are nothing new

In reference to "Victim's race seems to be sole reason for attack," Aug. 15:

We shouldn't be surprised that such attacks are happening in our community. All may not be reported, but hate crimes and racially motivated attacks have been occurring in Alaska for years. Children with these views have a tendency to accept this behavior after mimicking their parents or watching the actions of other adults. Look at the hatred that is expressed in those town halls across the country, the death threats and racial epithets directed toward U.S. Congress members and our president.

I don't understand why some people bury their heads in the sand and won't speak out against the hatred that is brewing in those town halls. Then they ask themselves, how could racially motivated attacks happen in our own community? I guess the ostrich only raises its head out of the sand when it benefits the few.

-- Deborah D. Williams

Anchorage

Speak up on health care

Why not an economical and efficient single payer system? Because the big insurance and drug companies don't want that? Oh, really? What about what we the people want? What about what would be best for America?

We need to tell our members of Congress what we want, keep telling them, and remind them that we told them. Support HR-676 as the most effective way to cover all American citizens efficiently.

-- T. Frank Box

Anchorage

Lisa needs ideas

Dear Lisa:

Please come up with some constructive ideas concerning health. You know, a plan that will actually provide access to quality health care for all Americans. Kind of like what you have courtesy of the taxpayer through the federal government. Thanks.

-- Pete Boehlen

Eagle River

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