Alaska GOP has closed primary
Marie Bair erred in her Nov. 16 ADN letter, "Dems got what they deserved." It is the Republicans in Alaska who have a closed primary.
Democrats and all other candidates are on a separate ballot together.
The Republicans chose the closed primary, resulting in many voters changing their party declaration to "undeclared"in order to have access to either ballot, not both, of course. Voters are offered the choice at their polling place. It was a party choice. To go back to a blanket primary would be a question for the Legislature, wouldn't it?
— Susan Williams
Juneau
Sanders working with Trump is left’s best hope for 2020
Hillary won the popular vote? C'mon, grow up and get a life, Clintonites, says your fellow 40-plus years very active leftist! No one in the 2016 election won the "popular" vote; overall vote tally, yes, but saying America overwhelmingly wanted Hillary: Get real! What is really difficult to dispute though, is the vast majority of Americans would have way preferred Sen. Bernie Sanders over Trump; except Bernie simply could never have delivered on almost any promise he made. Hey, guys, he ran for president against a rigged status-quo, not for dictator.
The true popularity contest in this election was for who people hated and/or were afraid of most. "Polls" have already "shown" the majority of Americans did NOT want Hillary; those polls are believable!
Instead of the Electoral College, let's all petition Trump to honor his acceptance promise that he truly wants to hear from and consider guidance from those who were opposed to him. Petition Trump to appoint Bernie as chief unify-America strategist-adviser, as a real, paid position to how best heal our wounds. Bernie will represent us to Trump and then be so much stronger for 2020. Alaskans for Bernie? Let's take the high road, and stage a huge potluck, where we do all the work, and invite any and all Trump backers to come to the podium where we will listen to them with sincerity after which we will respectfully answer their questions. What was Hillary's slogan? "America Stronger Together."
— Rich Nevitt
Wasilla
Alaska will suffer for results
The political farce we call elections is finally over and I only see a few new faces. What have we done? We re-elected many of the same people who wouldn't decide how to best address Alaska's impending fiscal gap. They had one voter-set 90-day legislative session; one, they-know-better-than-public 30-day extension, plus several sit-on-their-hands special sessions. We obviously don't care their priorities are swaying to special interests and covering their own personal butts … only Alaska will suffer.
— Gerry Guay
Anchorage
Dedicated space for educators would be a low-cost tribute
This is a time of the year when many of us stop to reflect on the reasons why and for whom we are thankful. This week is also American Education Week with Friday dedicated as Principal Appreciation Day. I would like to encourage businesses around Anchorage to show support for teachers and administrators alike by dedicating an educator parking spot in your lots through the end of the month, indicated by a simple placard or sign. It could be a no-cost but highly visible way to show your appreciation to those who dedicate their careers to nurturing our most precious resource.
— Tam Agosti-Gisler
Anchorage School Board president
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