Readers write: Letters to the editor, August 1, 2017

King Cove road comes at cost

It was only a matter of time before the King Cove to Cold Bay road resurfaced under the Trump administration. And like the birds of Izembek Lagoon, the specious justifications for constructing this damaging and politically motivated road have taken flight. Like, it's OK since the birds are already being hunted? Well, just maybe it's because of strict environmental safeguards that there are birds available to hunt.

Alaska is in a fiscal crisis. Many of our existing commercial state highways (like the Nome to Teller road) are not maintained and impassible more than six months each year. Yet, the state wants to build 11 miles of new road, and maintain a total of some 30 miles year-round, for the occasional medevac that cannot leave King Cove due to weather? A "gated — medevac only" road is fiscally irresponsible and pure fiction. The state has already tipped its hand on the road eventually becoming a commercial road in a memo's reference to "the movement of goods and people between King Cove and Cold Bay."

In addition to the inherent risks of living in the "road-less" Bush and Alaska are some of the nation's highest rates of domestic violence, rape, suicide and substance abuse. About a quarter of our population is trying to hold on to Medicaid while many of the remainder struggle with increasingly high medical costs and insurance premiums. Our health care challenges, both life-threatening and chronic, need to be better prioritized.

— William M. Cox, MD
Anchorage

Trump willing to sacrifice soul
of America to hold onto power

I reflect on yet another intercontinental missile firing by an egomaniacal, seemingly unpredictable leader intent on preserving his power at all costs. We hardworking steadfast inhabitants of this beautiful northern land stand the most to lose should North Korea's leader call for attack. It brings me no comfort knowing that our current commander in chief has no military strategic experience; does not appear capable of listening to and learning from those who do; has demonstrated the capacity to give military orders without communicating with our military commanders, and, without apparent thought to the consequences, appears emotionally unstable. Donald Trump has not demonstrated consistent good judgement; does not have anything close to normal impulse control; and by all objective measures, appears unscrupulously determined to hang on to power at all costs, despite the best interests of our nation.

I consider myself a patriotic American. I love my country and what it stands for. It sickens me to watch the integrity and functionality of our country be devoured by the raw self-aggrandizement and capacious self-interest of the loosely defined Trump administration. Completion of a process to remove this malignant scourge from a position capable of harming Alaskans and Americans can not come too soon in my mind. The thought of a commander in chief embroiling us in an unnecessary war and endangering the lives of civilians and our brave military simply as an attempt to distract us from an investigation of putative illegal activities of his campaign would be heinous.

— Dwayne Trujillo
Anchorage

Murkowski's vote saved all of us

Full disclosure — I'm a dyed-in-the-wool progressive Democrat and proud of it. Progressives believe in helping our neighbors, promoting peace and fiscal responsibility, among other things. We don't believe in helping corporations and the rich through tax breaks that punish the middle class, which is what I am. I'm also a small businessman.

I was tremendously pleased by Sen. Lisa Murkowski's vote rejecting the "skinny repeal" health care bill.

I have wondered for a long time whether she had the courage to stand up to her party to protect the American people and the people of Alaska. She did it with her vote. In this world, we are humans first, family members second and then Americans, Alaskans, and finally, Republicans or Democrats last. The pressure the parties put on their members is unconscionable. It has been the primary reason for the dysfunction in Congress. She stood by the lone maverick in the Senate — and a man who has proven his great courage — Sen. John McCain. I will more than likely vote for Murkowski because of her courage on the critical bill.

I also appreciated Charles Wohlforth's recent insightful column regarding Murkowski (ADN, July 29). It is difficult to ascertain a person's motivation but I think he's done a respectable job in analyzing her. I also think her vote bears this out.

All in all, the vote was a relief for the American people and the vast majority of the residents of Alaska. Too bad our other senator lacks the insight or courage to protect Alaskans. He just panders to a small minority of far-right leaning folks under the guise of promising to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And offer what instead? The ACA has lots of problems, but starting over with a health care bill would decimate many in this country, except for the well-to-do. Right on Sens. Murkowski, McCain and Susan Collins. Now let's get to work improving the ACA.

— Larry Holman
Anchorage

Like Murkowski, Walker, Sullivan should stand up to DC bullies

Sen. Lisa Murkowski's vote against the Health Care Freedom Act of 2017 is to be commended. Unlike Sen. Dan Sullivan, she had the courage to stand up for Alaskans whose health care and finances would be severely impacted by the repeal of "Obamacare." She recognized the Senate's failure to use due diligence and good governance in developing health care reform(last-minute bills issued for consideration from behind closed doors, rushed or no debate etc.). In the supreme irony of the skinny "Obamacare" repeal failure, the GOP senators hoped the legislation would actually not be agreed to by the House in conference, but risked that it might. Sullivan did not have the courage to vote against the party line in spite of the absurdity and negative impacts of a skinny repeal. At best, I hope he was one of a number of GOP senators who were likely relieved Sen. John McCain carried the water for them in terminating this health care legislation fiasco. Finally, the implied threats from the interior secretary to Murkowski for her no votes are a threat to all Alaskans in the same way the Trump administration punishes its perceived enemies. It is time for Gov. Bill Walker and Sullivan to stand up for the state and support Murkowski. They should tell the Trump administration that such coercion and bullying is improper and against the interests of the state.

— Peter Hanley
Anchorage

Vote saves Alaskans money

This Alaska independent voter congratulates Sen. Lisa Murkowski for her courage to stand up for a fair deal for all Americans regarding affordable health care access. As an employer, the health coverage we provide our employees is very costly. But I know it would be even more costly if more people are unable to afford insurance — causing the health providers to ding my coverage for the expenses of more of the uninsured.

Alaska's aptly titled junior senator appears to be paying forward the Koch brothers for their PAC campaign support with his politically calculated votes against affordable health care access and his vocal insinuation, along with the secretary of the interior, that things will be dire for Alaska because of Murkowski's stand. Obviously, this state's fate has been directly tied since before statehood to federal policy and funding. The secretary of the interior can threaten and potentially do harm to Alaska. But Murkowski's chair position on the Interior and Energy Committee that controls Interior Department policies and funding can keep that bullying well-checked.

Thank you, Lisa, for being a senator who has honestly stood up for the well-being and financial security of all Alaskans as well as the rest of the citizens of this country.

— Dan Seiser
Anchorage

Former Begich staffer grateful Murkowski put Alaskans first

I have never been a fan of Sen. Lisa Murkowski's politics, but today that changed. Thank you, senator, for your votes against GOP health care bills that would have punished thousands of Alaskans and millions of Americans.
I write this from the sidelines, but eight years ago I was Sen. Mark Begich's health policy staffer. Today I still bore people by carrying on about the Affordable Care Act. My former boss knew the law, for all the good it did, was far from complete. He pushed many innovative fixes. Some of those ideas will be back on the table if Republicans and Democrats ever agree to work together.
Because of Murkowski's votes, there is still hope for a bipartisan solution. She is no friend of the ACA and over the years went out of her way to criticize the law, sometimes unfairly. Yet when it counted most, she protected Alaskans and called for a return to policy-driven debate and compromise.

Party-line loyalists Rep. Don Young and Sen. Dan Sullivan voted to throw tens of thousands of Alaskans off their health insurance. The adolescent in the White House blusters and bullies and vows to cripple the health care system because he didn't get his way.

Unlike them, Murkowski showed Alaskans a virtue in rare supply these days: political courage.

— Bruce Scandling
Juneau

Trump's genetic gifts revealed

He told us during the campaign that he knew more than the generals. He would come up with a plan to defeat ISIS in 30 days.

It took a little longer, but it's a tough problem. Fortunately, he's like a smart person, because of his good genes. Did you know his uncle was a professor at MIT?

"Good genes. Let me tell you that," he said.

"Please, don't." I replied to the TV, but he told me anyway. Good genes.

So, here's the plan: Throw all the transgender people out of the military. That's it. Problem solved. Simple, but brilliant.

Why didn't the generals think of that? Must be the genes.

Now on to the tax code overhaul.

What? We still have "Obamacare"?

— John R. Stumer
Eagle River

White House under the big top

How ironic that soon after the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus shuts down, after all these years, a new circus springs into action right in our nation's capital — the Donald Trump Circus of Clowns — and its "big top" is the White House.

We've been treated to a circus of shenanigans by the Trump White House staff for six months now, but the latest show is almost beyond belief. After suffering through the president's cast of clowns, including Steve Bannon, Reince Priebus, Sean Spicer, Jeff Sessions, etc., we now have a new chief clown of communications, Anthony Scaramucci, a flashy New Yorker who calls himself "the Mooch." And he's here to kick some butt on behalf of his boss ­— the ringmaster.

Just as the Ringling Bros. clowns chased each other around bopping themselves on the head with rubber clubs, the Mooch is whacking his fellow Trump staffers with insults and vulgar threats. He seems to have a particular fondness for dropping the "f-bomb" frequently. Real classy for a White House communications director.

Unfortunately, real circus clowns do their tricks in jest but Trump's bunch is doing it for real. In our nation's capital. In the same White House where Lincoln, Truman, Eisenhower and the Roosevelts lived. Too bad. So sad.

— Jim Fredrickson
Seward

Editor's note: This letter was sent before Anthony Scaramucci firing.

Lisa's tougher than all the guys

Sen. Lisa Murkowki has shown grit and determination concerning health care reform and the attending possible loss of Medicaid for the state.

She's tougher than all those guys put together.

Sen. John McCain's no vote was a surprising bright spot as well.

Tell ya what — let's get Murkowski to run for president with McCain as vice president. Now that's just the ticket.

— Lillian K. Staats
Palmer

Vote like an Alaskan, Sullivan

Sen. Lisa Murkowski: Don't believe all the naysayers — I am more progressive, but I will vote for you from now on. No one even knew what the new health care bill said. They just wanted to get "a" bill passed.

Thank you for not being in lockstep with your political party. Thank you for being a thinking, intelligent person.

Obviously this does not apply to Sen. Dan Sullivan — who never does anything but lockstep with the Republican Party — definitely not Alaskan.

— Joan McKinnon
Anchorage

Vote protects legislative process

Thank you, Sen. Lisa Murkowski for your vote on the ACA repeal and replace bills, which occurred over the last two weeks.

As an Alaska Native who has worked on health care issues since 1980, I am deeply concerned about the U.S. Senate's failure to follow the legislative process with regard to repealing and replacing the ACA. Normally a bill is introduced; assigned to a committee for a hearing to accept testimony from all parties affected by said legislation. Then a vote occurs on the House or Senate floor; negotiations between the House and Senate occur afterward, as most people know. This process has not occurred in the Senate. I want to thank Murkowski for her stand on stating that the legislative process should occur so affected patients are able to voice their concerns. Thank you, senator, for advocating for your Alaska patients, who would be affected by repeal.

— Cynthia A. Ahwinona
Anchorage

Increase access to park to lessen congestion at trailheads

I was disheartened by the municipality's attitude toward the issues caused by the lack of adequate parking at the few entrances to Chugach State Park. (ADN, July 23). The parking overflow is caused by the increasing public demand for access to our wilderness park. While I understand the concerns of adjacent landowners, I suspect their concern is not just parking overflow, otherwise they would be working to expand parking, not trying to use law enforcement to block access.

As for the municipality, it represents all of its citizens, not just those few fortunate enough to have the park in their backyard. That backyard belongs to us all. The city representative is paraphrased as saying that more parking is not a solution because "if
70 spaces are built, 90 people might show up." If so, the answer is to build 90 spaces and additional access points, not to ticket citizens who only want access to their park.

It is a good thing that so much interest and support of the park exist. Rather than ticketing members of the public trying to access public land, the city should be working with the state to expand access points and parking. The city and state should also work with our congressional delegation and the military to pave the road to Arctic Valley. That would increase use of that access point, thus relieving pressure at the trailheads in residential neighborhoods.

— Mark Worcester
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.