Conservatives 'carve-out' funds to buy votes for health care
The Senate Conservative Action group is reporting that Mitch McConnell "is so determined to keep 'Obamacare's' core provisions, and to bail out the insurance companies, that he's offering carve-outs and kickbacks to moderate Republicans to buy their support." One of "the payoffs is a special Stability Fund formula that would result in an automatic $1.32 billion for the state of Alaska (for Senator Lisa Murkowski)."
Alexis de Tocqueville: "The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money."
—Wiley Brooks
Anchorage
Paying taxes can be justified
This letter is in regard to the ADN, July 19 article: "Mayor wants to raise police and fire department executive pay":
I used to work at another Anchorage municipal department and we had the same problem. No union-represented employee wanted to be promoted to an executive job where there was a cut in pay, and also an increase in responsibility. Tom Fink was our mayor then and he was trying to reduce the costs of government, which is a laudable approach . He tried a run at muni employees but failed when union-represented employees were able to fend him off. So he did what he legally could do — he cut the pay of executives who served at his pleasure.
When are we going to learn?
A quality city just does not happen on its own. It takes lots of effort, often increased property taxes and quality employees. Like most folks, I don't like paying taxes but there are times when they are justified. Oh yeah, I want to live in a quality city, a place where people will come to work and raise their kids — willingly.
— Lance Powell
Anchorage
'Beep' ball not mere novelty
I read the ADN, July 23 news story about the beep baseball events and new team in Alaska. I really think it is a great way to raise awareness for our visually impaired neighbors.
I was, however, disappointed the story made minimal mention of the real reason this event came to exist with the 50-plus volunteers that made it happen. There were 21 Lions Clubs from around the state including Chugiak, Kodiak, Juneau, Wasilla, Palmer and nearly all of the clubs from the Anchorage area that made this happen. It would be appreciated if ADN could feature a story about that sometime. It seems to me that you focus on the novelty of this event instead of the total impact in our communities and in the hearts of all participants and volunteers.
— Lewis Quinn
Anchorage
Murkowski stands her ground
I commend Sen. Lisa Murkowski for standing her ground Tuesday and voting nay on the motion to advance the U.S. Senate leadership's "secret" health care bill to the floor for debate and amendments.
Her efforts to avert a crisis for Alaska citizens is admirable, but we all know that once a bill reaches this stage in Congress, with a time limit on debate, it is destined to pass. It's too bad no one knows much about the Senate's health care plan, or if it has a plan at all.
Murkowski will undoubtedly face payback and reprisals for acting on her conscience, a rarity today in Washington, D.C.
Sen. John McCain said it all in his speech to the Senate that same day. He talked about obstructionism and gaming the system with parliamentary tactics. I wished the TV cameras would have turned to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell while McCain was speaking.
Sens. Murkowski, Collins and a few others have offered to roll up their sleeves and work across the aisle to improve the bill and make it workable for Alaskans and other people in dire need of affordable health care. This represents two more profound rarities in Congress: compromise and hard work.
Let's hope that along with the bill's final product, a condensed "comic book" version can be drafted — something our president can read and understand.
— Frank E. Baker
Eagle River
Sullivan's vote harms Alaskans
Sen. Dan Sullivan — shame on you. Sullivan said he would not support a bill that would harm Alaskans: his votes today have broken that promise. Every proposed version of the GOP health bill has included more than $500 billion in Medicaid cuts that will force tens of thousands of Alaskans to lose access to affordable health insurance. An artificial deadline will not magically summon good legislation: the Affordable Care Act took over a year of bipartisan debate and negotiation.
The GOP bill is fundamentally flawed and will not be fixed by 20 hours of amendments. Stop repeating the campaign lie that "Obamacare" is failing and show us your plan to fix the existing problems.
— Wayne Pence
Palmer
Say goodbye to Murkowski
The majority of Alaskans want something better than the Affordable Care Act. It's hardly affordable. Our senior senator took her direction from a well laid-out propaganda campaign concocted by the same people that brought us this mess. Now it's time to change the ACA and this senator. She votes with the Democrats, so it's time to say goodbye to Lisa Murkowski.
— Ken Caron
Anchorage
Murkowski keeps Alaskans safe from unaffordable care
I've been scared. I have personally felt like my life has been threatened by extremists in Washington, D.C. The topic of the year has been health care and how the new administration plans to take it away from millions. If this goes through, I will be one of the millions of Americans affected, along with tens of thousands of other Alaskans.
It's hard to imagine a world where I'm not able to receive health care. A world where I have to choose between regular health care or staying out of debt. Health care is something that should be accessible to all, but extremists in D.C. seem to think otherwise. Health care is what allows us to be Alaskans. Without our health, accessing and experiencing the Last Frontier wouldn't be an option.
I'm proud to say I am an Alaskan, because as an Alaskan we have a senator who listens to her constituents and who protects her people. Lisa Murkowski has calmed my fear of a world without health care. She has made me feel safe, at least for now. I think it's important that Alaskans let Murkowski hear their cheers and praise for protecting us and our health care, thus far. We also need to reassure her so she can stay strong against future attacks on the people of the United States — on Alaskans. I don't want to be without health care. I don't want to be forced into financial distress to maintain my health. Thank you Sen. Murkowski, and please, stay strong.
— Edward Tubbs
Anchorage
Sessions deserves payback
for Trump's stinging criticisms
Attorney General Jeff Sessions gave up his U.S. Senate seat to serve a president he supported throughout his campaign. Now he joins other loyal servants thrown under the bus while things in the White House go awry. So much for loyalty.
Although I could never agree with Sessions on issues, I feel compassion for his position. I do remember watching as he was sworn in and saw clearly the love and pride visible on the face of his wife. Mary Blackspear Sessions has been married to her husband for over 50 years. They have three children and 10 grandchildren. I wonder how they are feeling today?
I hope Mrs. Sessions recalls another Southern lady, Martha Bealle Mitchell. She too was the wife of an attorney general. John Mitchell served President Richard Nixon. Martha became known as "the Mouth of the South" when she called reporters and appeared with David Frost to share what she knew about the Watergate scandal.
You just can't treat loyal people with such total disregard and callousness. This situation brings to mind a quote, "Never push a loyal person to the point where they no longer give a damn." Remember, payback.
— Mary Navitsky
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.