Anchorage Daily News

Let others pick up GOP's mojo

Wailing and gnashing of teeth over their disagreements about the proposed public option in health care reform, squalling like spoiled brats because President Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize -- all these actions by Republican national leaders are indications to me that the GOP has lost its mojo and very likely won't get it back in the foreseeable future.

Their actions from talk shows to the hallowed halls of Congress are an embarrassment to all Americans. They're more or less regionalized anyway -- in the South; let's keep them there.

It's time for another political party to take the place of the GOP, one that will include some adults who can behave like statesmen. Our system works best when two or more parties can recognize the need for checks and balances and reasonable debate. I believe most Americans would welcome such a change.

-- Sylvia M. Carlsson

Anchorage

If we are aiming at terrorist bases there are many targets

Should we "nation-build" in Afghanistan, against an armed resistance?

If our population is willing to make the long-term commitment, and the international community is willing to support the effort too, I'm not against it. But if the reason we're doing it is to prevent possible terrorist bases, what about Somalia? What about Yemen? What about ... Pakistan? Just wondering.

And, to start with, what do we do about the corrupt government in Afghanistan?

-- Rick Wicks

Anchorage

It's no time to be complacent where Wall Street is concerned

Any Alaskan who is invested in Wall Street, which is anyone who receives a PFD, should pay very careful attention to what investment adviser Jeff Pantages said in his Compass article Friday ("Wall Street predators will run wild again if we let them"). Mr. Pantages, no left-wing radical, understands that Wall Street needs serious reform because it has cut itself a sweet deal. It takes the risk but we taxpayers pay for the losses.

The big meltdown was over a year ago, so let us not be lulled to sleep by an improving (so far) stock market. Another crisis could easily appear just as did the savings and loan and the long-term capital management crises.

Do not just be angry about having to bail out AIG, Citigroup, Bank of America, etc. Let your representatives in Congress know that you want a level playing field with real reform (which Wall Street is fighting already). Your PFD and your investments (401k, IRA, Roth, 457, 403b, etc.) depend on that. Look to the future.

-- John Jensen

Anchorage

State cut trees owner tended without giving any warning

On Oct. 1, I was startled by chain saws outside my front fence at DeArmoun Road and Hillside Drive.

Granite Construction, under instruction from the state DOT, was cutting down trees, some of which I believe were inside my property line, according to prior surveys.

When I built my fence in the early '90s, I made certain it was 54 feet from the road center line, and proceeded to let the native trees grow back.

The highway department, without consulting me, initially put in an extra-long culvert, making my driveway wider than necessary, so I tried to conceal it with trees, which also provided a barrier for snowmachines and highway noise.

An as-built survey in 2003 indicated there were several feet between my property and the right of way.

It's pretty devastating to have trees I planted and cared for over 30 years wiped out in front of me.

Is the state going to continue to let the highway department run rampant without any consideration whatsoever for beautification, global warming or communication with its citizens?

-- Barbara Winkley

Anchorage

Hunters must think of others

I used to be a game warden with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Discharging a firearm within 100 yards of a road was illegal there. This rule was for ethics in harvesting wildlife and for safety.

The bear shooting on the Kenai is not the only unethical "hunting" method I've witnessed in Alaska. Baiting bears with Old Roy dog food was not legal in Virginia. Bait is a cheap way to hunt. As a game warden, I wrote numerous cases for shooting within 100 yards of a roadway and baiting wildlife.

People have the right to keep and bear arms, so do so with concern for other human beings and wildlife.

-- Bruce L. Downs

Palmer

Wrong ones protected

The newly adopted lice policy by the Anchorage School District is ludicrous. The basis of the new policy is to "protect" the privacy of the student who is infected with head lice. How about protecting the remaining students from the infected one?

-- Eric Olenick

Anchorage

Iron Dog goes socialist?

I am writing to protest the sponsorship of the Iron Dog snowmobile race by the National Guard. The National Guard is funded directly by the U.S. government and its sponsorship of the race is nothing more than a thinly veiled power grab by the Obama administration with the intent of imposing socialism on the world of professional snowmobile racing. These socialists should keep their money because real Alaskans would never accept a handout from Obama's socialist regime and its cronies at the National Guard.

If we allow this, what's next? Subsidized health care for seniors? Maintenance of our national parks? The funding of interstate highways across the nation?

-- Bill O'Connell

Anchorage

Small businesses need health help

Regarding the Compass "Status quo no option for small business" by Perry Merkel of Cafe Del Mundo: Why do employers get stuck with the obligation to pay health care costs of their employees?

Mr. Merkel describes how the current insurance problem affects his business and dreads the day he can't provide health insurance for his employees. This puts small business at an extreme disadvantage against big corporations. It stifles entrepreneurship and creativity in the marketplace. Small businesses die, or are bought by large competitors. Small business owners did not have time to go to rant at town hall meetings. A significant proportion of small business owners are Republican, yet the party does not seem to care about their plight. We need health care reform that provides affordable health care access to all, regardless of choice of profession, employment or size of employer.

-- John Dickenson

Anchorage

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