Don't stand with the greedy
We are facing a political coalition of the greedy and the gullible. The idea that we will improve our health care system by slashing spending on health care is absurd. Why don't we try to improve our military by slashing our defense spending? Do we cut highway spending to improve our roads? Does cutting back on education spending make us smarter?
Our senators must balance the costs and benefits of standing united with the Greedy Old People, or standing up for the people of Alaska. The rest of us must let them know what we value and then vote accordingly. No more being upset and then voting for them again next time. Listen to what they say, but watch what they do. And vote based on what they do!
By the way, are the Juneau legislators still collecting per diem for living at home? Why is that? It is not a budget buster but it sure zeroes out the truth-meter. Remember, we will get the worst government that we will tolerate.
— Mark Beaudin
Anchorage
Been there, done that
"There is no vision, no hope, no future, no agenda for Alaska, if your only ideology, if your only philosophy, if your only cause is to cut the budget."
Two-time Gov. Wally Hickel on Page 36 of Malcolm Roberts' "The Wit and Wisdom of Wally Hickel."
— Andrew B. Leibert
Anchorage
His timing was right
In September 1939, my father, an Italian Jew, was on the last train out of Italy before war was declared. Eighteen months later, he was on the last train out of Paris before Nazi troops took the city. Two days later, he was on the last boat out of free France. He was incredibly lucky; Donald Trump was not president.
— Steve Levi
Anchorage
Game of chicken is pure fiction
Thanks to Todd Smoldon for painting the picture of the "game of chicken" we're all playing (Commentary, July 3). Probably I should be sitting down for this, but I'd like to respectfully point out that as a university employee, the pay raise I'm supposed to be getting in the amount equal to the truck driver's PFD is actually a pay freeze. And with the court system's hours cut, many even had a pay cut. The myth of the lazy, underworked, overpaid public employee does a gross disservice to many of our hardworking friends and neighbors who don't fit that stereotype. So please, check your facts before you publish your fake "news."
— Brian Brubaker
Anchorage
Photos looked like an ad
It's disappointing to see that the Alaska Dispatch News has stooped to selling front-page ads. I'm referring to the amateurish package of six "grip-and-grin" photos on Page 1 of Monday's paper. At least I hope it was a paid ad — I would hate to think my local newspaper has lost that much journalistic integrity.
— Dave Rush
Anchorage
Move capital to Adak
I offer a not-so-tongue-in-cheek suggestion on how to handle the endless gridlock we are witnessing with a partisan Alaska Legislature "pounding" out business related to important Alaska affairs. Long ago I established a Move the Capital to Adak initiative. At present I consider myself the president, secretary and treasurer of the initiative but, sadly, so far, the only member.
Adak has much to offer in terms of facilities including a large airport, communications, dormitory housing and a number of large buildings (hangars, perhaps, but adequate) in which our statesmen could hold forth in their parliamentary discussions. The local weather is ideal. I understand a Native corporation owns the facility, but negotiating a purchase or lease from them would probably be much cheaper and easier than a move to Anchorage, which most locals would obviously prefer. One caveat in this move is that it would have to be a "dry" campus. I can almost assure if this were done we would likely see much shorter than 90-day sessions every year and probably never another special session.
— Dennis Lattery
Chugiak
Where are the Koch ads now?
I must have missed Jonah Goldberg's opinion piece in the summer or fall of 2016 when Koch Industries ran ad after ad on TV about what a wonderful corporate citizen Koch Industries (and its subsidiaries) is.
After the 2012 presidential election, the Koch brothers could not believe that Romney had lost, along with propositions and other individuals they supported. They did in-depth polling that showed that most people thought they supported individuals and new laws mostly to advance their economic interests, and they did not appreciate that. So, in 2016, Koch Industries ran thousands of TV ads about all the good things their companies and employees do in the community, trying to polish their image. I have not seen one ad for Koch Industries since Nov. 8.
Jonah's concern about GE's alleged pandering to "progressives" to increase its bottom line would ring more true if he also called out companies owned by conservatives that do the same thing.
— Alexander Aikman
Redding, California
Our legislators can win this one
When I was a kid, gluttony was one of the seven deadly sins. Now it's a sporting event. ESPN televises the Coney Island hot dog eating contest.
Which deadly sin will be next?
How about pride? Let braggarts compete for the title "World's Greatest Boaster." Of course, President Trump would probably tweet he's entitled to the prize. ESPN would have to invite him or he'd accuse it of participating in the liberal media conspiracy to make him look paranoid.
The anger and envy contests would be interesting. Guys not invited would try to see who can throw the biggest temper tantrum and/or emit the most obnoxious whining.
Maybe the best venue for the lust contest would be the Fox cable channel.
Too bad Fox doesn't have sports channels. Oh, wait. They do. Problem solved.
I have the perfect venue for the sloth event. If you'll pardon the expression, no contest. Juneau, of course. The contestants have already trained vigorously for the past several years. And let's face it: There's not a lot of heavy lifting involved. Now, these guys cannot claim amateur status. They get paid for what they do — I mean don't do. They have another advantage. They fatten their wallets by wasting special session after special session after special session. So, they're already qualified for the avarice contest.
As an old fire-and-brimstone guy, I envision contest winners emulating Super Bowl champs by announcing excitedly their next destination.
In a handbasket.
— Geoff Kennedy
Anchorage
Don't release our records to feds
I do not agree with turning our state voter records and information over to the federal government for a national registry for voters. I think states should maintain as much control over what we do as possible and not allow the federal government to overreach into our personal lives.
— Jim Bailey
Anchorage
See through the smokescreen
ADN: OK, does anyone think there is a heavy smokescreen of Trump dramas going on right now? Saying to just "repeal" and worry about repair later. Multiple escalated fights with the press. Quite possibly obscuring the likelihood of senators coming back from vacations and just throwing in their towels to accepting the Senate's version of "Trumpcare," aka trickle-up care. Pay attention to the target!
— Beverly Metcalfe
Anchorage
Let's compromise, Mr. President
So, President Trump has formed a commission to investigate voter fraud in the election he won. He wants to obtain the following about all of us: full name, birthdate, address, last four numbers of our SSN, party affiliation, voting records and criminal records. This information is to be provided by Friday, July 14.
Many are opposed to this demand. Mr. President, can't we compromise? Mr. President, can't you meet me halfway? I checked Google and will be willing to meet you halfway. Yes, I will be willing to meet you at noon on Friday, July 14, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. At that time I will be prepared to turn over all my personal information in exchange for your tax returns.
As an added incentive, I will be willing to divulge the name of the candidate who received my vote back in November 2016. But, with that great brain that you so modestly brag about, I am almost sure that you can suss that information on your own. If not, just look for the gray-haired senior citizen wearing the Scarlet D sitting on a stool at the 19th hole at the Royal Regina Golf Club. Until then …
— Mary Navitsky
Anchorage
Public can speak out
Recently, the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center filled out a certificate-of-need application for a $19.2 million abuse unit. The purpose of this is to avoid the "psychiatric divert" process, which includes notifying the Alaska State Troopers that they cannot take any more patients with mental health issues and then switching the emergency beds into safer beds for the psychiatric patients.
Because more people are in need of a behavioral health assessment, the need for a psychiatric and substance abuse unit is critical. Also, since the patients spend about two days in the ER waiting to be transferred to another facility, the bed cannot be used.
A part of the certificate-of-need process is a letter submitted by July 24 by any competing Mat-Su providers planning a similar facility. There are also public participation opportunities that the public needs to take advantage of. There will be an informal meeting and public comment window. The more support from the public there is, the more help we can give to our community.
— Gabriella Hindman
Eagle River
States, don't give up voting data
I don't believe that any state should give up its voter information to Washington, D.C. I've been voting for over 50 years and not once have I observed any dead people voting. Perhaps some people in Washington, D.C., have been watching too many zombie movies. (I haven't seen any zombies voting, either.)
There is a reason why voting booths have curtains. Your vote is private and not to be shared with political parties. When someone in my family passes away, deleting them from the voter polls is not my first thing to think about. Perhaps some states could cross-reference death notices with voter polls a little quicker to keep some people in Washington, D.C., happy. I'm sad that our government has stepped over the boundaries of our rights to privacy.
— Mike Gumbleton
Palmer
Terrified after 26th birthday
It's funny how birthdays sneak up on you. Turning 26 was particularly jarring, as I was no longer able to be on my parents' insurance and was working a job without benefits. Through the marketplace created by the ACA, minimal coverage without federal subsidies would have cost me $500 per month, about a third of what I was making at the time. I just about had a heart attack when I saw that number, but it was a good thing I didn't, what with my minimal coverage and all. Thank goodness for those federal subsidies; because of my income, I paid $150, a price I could actually afford.
I'm worried because the current iteration of the AHCA will significantly increase the out-of-pocket expense for those on the individual market by getting rid of the federal insurance subsidy. Although I currently have a job with benefits, being a twenty-something with an uncertain future means that I am facing the possibility of turning back to the marketplace, and the thought of doing so without federal subsidies terrifies me. No one should have to face the choice between paying for health insurance and paying for rent or food, and I am genuinely concerned that I, along with many other Alaskans, may be facing such choices should the AHCA be passed as it stands.
Sen. Murkowski's commitment to Alaskans and her bold insistence on deciding the future of health care with transparency speaks volumes. She is fighting for Alaskans like me — I hope that she will continue to do so, and I urge our other representatives to follow her lead.
— Meneka Thiru
Anchorage
The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter under 200 words for consideration, email letters@alaskadispatch.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter to the editor constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity. Send longer works of opinion to commentary@alaskadispatch.com.