Readers write: Letters to the editor, July 28, 2017

'Moderate' in name only

Remember, nothing happens in the Senate that isn't orchestrated by Sen. Mitch McConnell.

The opinion pieces by Charles Wohlforth and Kate Troll (ADN, July 26) sing Sen. Lisa Murkowski's praises. I even wrote and thanked her. But one important fact is left out. She didn't stop anything. I believe she and Sen. Susan Collins were "allowed" to vote no by McConnell. They get to maintain their "moderate" label and keep getting elected in their home states. He gets to strip health care from millions in order to please the man-baby in the White House.

I'll happily retract my distrust of her if she ever actually stops anything. She had one chance on the education committee to stop the most uniquely unqualified person to ever be nominated for a Cabinet position — Betsy DeVos — and Murkowski instead chose to advance her nomination from the committee.

Please, may I be wrong about her.

— Connie Faipeas
Anchorage

Equal rights can be tricky

I agree with Elise Patkotak that
LGBTQ communities should have equal rights (ADN, July 25). And, while I also in general agree that one should serve "everyone who comes into your business," I also think about exceptions from this rule.

Say a neo-Nazi comes to a Jewish establishment and orders a cake with swastika on it. While he doesn't ask for anything illegal, I think the owner of the establishment has the right to refuse to serve him. I wouldn't serve him.

Is this the only exception? I doubt it is so.

— Rudy J.Budesky
Anchorage

Actions have consequences

Sen. Lisa Murkowski showed her true "blue" color yesterday on the health care debate vote. This will be great knowledge for voters next time her seat is up for reelection.

Thank you, Sen. Dan Sullivan, for honoring your campaign promise.

— Todd Porter
Anchorage

Stories give hope to sourdough

You all made my day, and a part of my future, a lot happier. Recent political actions and inactions in our state, our nation and our world have caused me to question our future and direction and what we can do to improve our plight. The answers I observed were not encouraging.

That all changed this morning on reading Michelle Theriault Boots's article in the July 25 ADN regarding Alaskans' response to Nancy Greathouse, the terminally ill woman. Two days ago she was stranded here by what appeared to be an impossibly large cost to medevac home to Maryland.

The 904 people who contributed almost $60,000 in just two days made her trip possible and the Providence Alaska Foundation agreed to cover any extra expenses. Church members also helped in this process. To read the story reminded me of the compassion and spirit of Alaskans that I have experienced and appreciated over the last 43 years I have lived in Alaska. My optimism for the quality of our future got a real boost.

The article by ADN's Tegan Hanlon about the fishing boat captain, Chris Trosvig, gave it another boost. His dive into 47-degree water to rescue a crew member is another example of how Alaskans care and support the well-being of others.
And finally, I believe Sen. Lisa Murkowski is to be commended for defense of Medicaid for Alaskans and resistance to the haste and secret dealings of Sen. Mitch McConnell and the Republican leadership. Like Sen. John McCain, I would like to see progress, but not in what I see as the wrong direction.

Hopefully they will accept "Obamacare" and work together to correct items that need to be corrected or improved. To simply repeal "Obamacare" without an acceptable replacement is a mistake to me.

So thanks to all of you. Peace and have a good day.

— Hugh R. Hays
Soldotna

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.