Readers write: Letters to the editor, October 13, 2016

Senators act on ‘D’ behavior

No wonder Republicans like Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan are critical of presidential candidate Donald J. Trump: For all the world Mr. Trump acts like many well-known Democrats.

— Dorrance Collins and Faith Myers
Anchorage

Ginsburg doesn’t respect honest, free protest

I just lost some respect for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. There's a huge difference between burning an American flag, which one has to actively choose to do, and (for example) choosing to kneel, rather than be forced to stand, during the national anthem. What ever happened to "land of the free"?

— Rick Wicks
Anchorage

Good riddance to senators

Lisa and Dan, you may as well resign from the U.S. Senate completely. By not supporting our Republican presidential nominee you are supporting Hillary Clinton. The Republicans have had control of Congress since 2014 and you have done absolutely nothing, so good riddance. Never once has the Senate or Congress stood up to Obama in these past eight years. He's gotten everything he has wanted. When Hillary is elected you will be ineffectual anyway.

— Rolf L. Bilet
Anchorage

Columbus Day should unite US

When I hear people talk of getting rid of Columbus Day it makes me realize how the climate of America has become divisive. Instead of using it as a holiday to come together, some people try to make it into a reason to divide people into groups and separate all our cultures, putting more importance on one than the other.

The definition of heritage is something handed down from the past, as a tradition. Columbus Day is part of my heritage as it is part of all Americans'. It's a holiday to feel the excitement of exploration and to remember the people of the past who made America what it is today.

It is a holiday at the heart of America, the bringing together of many cultures and heritages, which is what has made America so great, diverse, productive and in the end free place to live as yourself in a community of many cultures.

The many different Americans; Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Italians, Norwegians, Irish, Scottish, Russian, English, French, German, Chinese, Indians, Hawaiians, Africans, just to name a few, have all been mixed together, and I am proud to be part of this culture, The American culture. As far as I know, I have no Italian blood in me, but Columbus Day is part of my culture, "The American Culture." So, instead of dwelling on the negatives, rejoice because of all the positive things America is. Let Columbus Day be what it truly is, an American holiday, for all Americans.

— Lynette Warhus
Wasilla

State doesn’t cover cancer test

I was very interested to read Julie Wrigley's letter (ADN, Oct. 11) regarding colorectal cancer screening, and how everyone over the age of 50 should be screened to end up to half of all colorectal cancer deaths. She states that those with private insurance are completely covered under their insurance policies for these exams, and how unjust it is that a Medicare loophole can allow out-of-pocket costs of up to $500. I do agree the tests are very important for our community and should be completely covered to encourage people to have them done. Imagine my surprise when as a retired state of Alaska employee I discovered our retiree insurance covers exactly ZERO of these costs unless you can prove a family history of colon cancer or show doctor-verified signs of colon distress. Thankfully my husband has other coverage, because if we had to rely on our state coverage, we'd be required to pay the entire $4,000-plus costs of the procedure.

— Catherine Dwyer
Anchorage

Does Miller know he’s lying?

After hearing his radio ad, I am concerned for Joe Miller. He is running for U.S. Senate but does not seem to understand the difference between state and federal government oversight. The Senate has nothing to do with the distribution of the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, because the Senate is part of the federal government and the Alaska PFD is a state government program. Our senators and congressmen have no say on the distribution of the PFD.

If Miller and the Citizens for Joe Miller want to attack someone, they should at least get their facts straight and attack the governor and the Alaska Senate. Quit lying about Sen. Lisa Murkowski trying to take away your PFD. If you want to be our senator, please learn the difference between state and federal oversight.

If you want to really fight for Alaskans to have the PFD, run for state Senate.

— Christina Borge
Anchorage

Thanks to trail cleanup crew

Our sincere thanks to whomever cleaned up along the trail alongside Chester Creek between Colgate and Patterson streets. Many people use this trail but it had really become overgrown with the bird cherry species and windfall debris. Now it is much more walkable and safe.

— Bernadine Raiskums
Anchorage

Babcock gang may target Young

Apparently Don isn't required to get his re-election TV ads preapproved by Tuckerman Babcock of the Alaska Republican Party central committee. In his ads, U.S. Rep. Don Young proudly credits his accomplishments for Alaska in part to "reaching across the aisle and working hard with Democrats and independents, to do what is best for the state."

Alaska legislators Paul Seaton and Jim Colver tried that and look what happened to them. Babcock and the "true" Republicans tried to squash them like bugs for doing what was best for Alaska instead of following the strict party line and voting as directed.

Regardless of what one thinks of Don, he at least puts the people of Alaska first and not the questionable loyalties of the legislative majority.

— Tom Carberry
Anchorage

GCI pushes political propaganda

Our household subscribes to GCI cable. Given GCI's politically conservative corporate culture, I suppose I should not be surprised to see them pushing Dinesh D'Souza's anti-Hillary flick on its movie feature three weeks before the election, despite the fact the movie was released in August.

I doubt this bit of partisan manipulation by GCI will change the outcome for its candidate, Donald Trump. But maybe the executives at GCI can console themselves over Hillary's victory by inviting Billy Bush to their corporate Christmas party to entertain employees.

— Elstun W. Lauesen
Anchorage

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