Readers write: Letters to the editor, January 18, 2017

Mental health trust amasses millions, while Alaskans suffer

A recent article expounded on the massive growth and maintenance of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority — some $600 million in assets. With mental health issues like suicide, addiction, violence, homelessness and depression so rampant in Alaska, how can we take pride in amassing more and more money in this trust? Isn't the object to actually and effectively be addressing these problems? What is going on? Is the tail wagging the dog?

We have serious mental health problems in AK and far too few solutions. Why is there this disconnect? I am confused.

— Linda Cooper
Anchorage

Stand, to keep America great

Thanks for publishing Steve Haycox's (ADN, Jan. 13) piece about cherishing our freedoms, including the one to express ourselves. Thanks also for the wonderful political cartoon about Trump's fake news. We need such protections from an uncertain future. My worries have little to do with Trump representing the Republican Party in the election, but on the man himself and the cast of characters with whom he surrounds himself.

Our best hope is for the press to keep us informed through accurate reporting and thoughtful commentary, for citizens to voice opinions loudly and often and for our (other) elected officials to stand against what they know is wrong. I have asked the Alaska delegation to do just that. I believe they are reasonable people who respect the Constitution and American values. But I realize each time they stand against Trump, funding for Alaska may suffer. At some point, however, voters will respect their integrity more than the gains they might have enjoyed for acquiescing.

I urge every reader, regardless of party affiliation, to prod our representatives with letters, calls, tweets, Facebook comments to keep America great.

— Richard Stokes
Juneau

Let’s do Juneau’s challenge

The challenge is on
— if Juneau can so can we.
Be kind, Anchorage.

— Aileen Holthaus
Anchorage

Democrats are no show

Democrats not showing up for the inauguration is nothing new. They haven't shown up for the American people for years.

— Rolf L. Bilet
Anchorage

For the sake of the nation

Dear Twitter: Would you please shut down the feed of Donald J. Trump at midnight Jan. 20, EST? He has got some serious presiding to do and you've become an attractive nuisance for him.

Thank you from a concerned citizen.

— Brian MacMillan
Anchorage

Legislators: A wishlist for the 2017 session

•Give serious consideration to Gov. Bill Walker's proposals and pass revenue bills in addition to small cuts in the budget.

•Create a significant addition to the Base Student Allocation funding formula for public education, and kill the idea of dropping funding for schools with 11 to
25 students.

•Pass climate change bills to help residents affected by erosion and other factors. Guide the state toward a future using renewable energy sources.

•Pass bills enacting the recommendations of the Walker-Mallott Fisheries Transition Committee, including a "fish first" policy to ensure there is always enough water in streams to support salmon.

•Increase the budget in the Department of Health and Social Services to give Alaskans more access to mental health services. This will lead to hundreds of thousands of state dollars saved and a better life for thousands of Alaskans by reducing homelessness, substance abuse, and recidivism.

There's more I could add, but this is probably enough for 90 days. May the Legislature do its job and work for the good of its people. Have a good session!

— Cheryl Lovegreen
Anchorage

Constant barrage numbs

What do Donald Trump and Twitter have in common? Attention deficit disorder.

— Nick Cassara
Palmer

Long life lived enjoying eggs and sausage

What is it about vegans/vegetarians that makes them want to proselytize about their meal choices? Alexander Durbin's letter (ADN, Jan. 16) touting his choice to exclude animals from his diet and his wish to make all of us as healthy as himself, is commendable, but comes across as somewhat elitist. I love veggies and meat and fish. I've lived 87 years and am still in pretty good health, so my choices haven't done me in yet. If we didn't have canine teeth and were able to get our necessary vitamin B12 from plants, his avowal for nothing but plant food would be more plausible. I think restrictions to anyone's diet should be on a personal basis; perhaps between the person and his doctor. But, to paraphrase Voltaire, "although I do not agree, I support your right to do as you choose" (although, not unto the death).

And while I'm on the subject of letters, what the blue blazes was Clinton R. Hodge II's (ADN, Jan. 16) letter all about? It seems to me when you discourse in public on a subject you should at least preface comments with an explanation of what caused your dissension. His letter on Monday was under the title "Cole needs economic lesson." I'll let someone else do the research and explain. I'm too tired from eating sausage and eggs for breakfast.

— Dick Palmatier
Wasilla

Alaska needs safety of ACA

I want my ACA. The Affordable Care Act is a saving grace. I recently had emergency surgery at Providence. Total cost of the surgery was $45,000. My ACA insurance paid all but $4,750. Imagine life without ACA. I would've personally been responsible for the entire $45,000. In other words, bankrupt. With ACA, members contribute at least a portion of their premium. Do you remember the days before ACA when people without insurance went to emergency rooms and didn't pay anything, leaving the taxpayers to foot the entire bill? With ACA, at least most people contribute something. If you like your ACA and want to keep it, contact Sen. Murkowski at 510 L Street #600, Anchorage 99501, 907-271-3735; Sen. Sullivan at 510 L Street #750, Anchorage 99501, 907-271-5915; Rep. Don Young at 4241 B Street #203, Anchorage 99503, 907-271-5978. In Alaska, more than anywhere, we need ACA.

— Melanie Meeker
Homer

Protesters will be out in force to fight Trump policies

Trump supporters (and Trump) think protesters should just back off and give him a chance. (The way Republicans did with Obama?) But that's not how American government works.

Policymaking is a continuous struggle. We don't just elect a president and then let him enact whatever policies he wants. Lobbyists — whether pro or con — are out in force all the time.

Thus it's up to "we the people" — whose influence is often much more diffuse — to be out in force when our interests are threatened, as they are, for example, with Trump threatening to eliminate medical insurance for 20 million people and, in particular, to defund women's health care.

— Rick Wicks
Anchorage

Will miss Saturday’s smiles that go with bracing news

So disappointed to have to find another way to start the day. We subscribe to the printed news not just for the news, which is mostly bad; but for the comics and puzzles that offset it somewhat. If the funnies and puzzles appeared in the online editions, I believe I might be able to make a full conversion. Otherwise, mornings will be less satisfying.

— Lisa Simon
Palmer

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.