Readers write: Letters to the editor, May 26, 2017

French saw through Le Pen

For quite some time, France has been the butt of many jokes concerning the boldness or bravery of their people.

I have to congratulate them, however, for standing tall in their recent national elections, and not falling for what Marine Le Pen was selling.

Merci, France.

— Scott Robart
Anchorage

Voting strictly on party lines on wildife issues is shameful

The House Bill 105 introduced by Andy Josephson to reestablish the Denali Park no-kill wildlife buffer zone passed with a disgracefully narrow margin of 22 to 18; all House Republicans voted against this bill except one, LeDoux, who voted yes. The bill is not expected to pass in the Republican Senate.

This is a disgrace not just because in this case it doesn't make sense, but it also exposes the party bloc-voting practice that has infected Western democracy with an apparently terminal cancer. The Alaska Board of Game is a microcosm of this scenario, made up of members who are all 100 percent aligned with moneyed trapping/hunting interests, and which is now telling the Legislature to bug out and mind its own business. Since when haven't Alaska wildlife resources been legislative business? Representatives are essentially forbidden to think for themselves or their constituents outside of party policy. Gov. Walker can and should intervene, but indications are he won't. It is shameful to vote along party lines over wildlife issues. Sad for the natural balance of Alaska wildlife and for the wishes of most Alaskans.

— Ken Green
Cooper Landing

There is no free ride on taxes

In response to Gail Heineman ("Listen to the adults in House," Letters, May 23):

She says for those of us who say no to an income tax, why do we feel entitled to a free ride? I don't think paying substantially high property taxes constitutes a free ride. A free ride is watching everyone coming into Anchorage and using our facilities for basically nothing and going most everywhere else and paying a sales tax to support their facilities. We need a sales tax that goes to helping property taxpayers, who solely support the city of Anchorage. Everyone needs to have some skin in the game.

— Greg Svendsen
Anchorage

Liberal bias or courage?

In response to a few Letters to the Editor, am I to understand the ADN shows liberal bias by utilizing sources that are courageous enough to accurately report the bizarro political arena we are now thrust into?

Off point, some of us do not have access to an online TV guide because we use a roof antenna.

— Della Dempsey
Wasilla

Memorial Day rings hollow

Well, another Memorial Day is upon us. A day when the U.S. prostrates itself at the flag and swears how much the country loves them some veterans. Especially the ones who are dead and aren't a burden on the economy. There will be speeches and hand-wringing about the state of the world. Veterans will wear their uniforms or other items signifying their service. The five-time Vietnam draft-deferred commander-in-chief will talk about how he loves his military, and a good time will be had by all. The day after things will go back to normal. You will see news articles about the number of vets committing suicide. You will see news articles about how many vets will lose health care under the new health care laws. You will see how the new budget will lower costs by taking money from vet's programs, so the 1 percent can have their tax cuts. You will see vets standing on the corner begging for money. Gad, isn't America great, or what?

— Jay Cross,
AKANG Msgt. ret (June 1965 – Dec. 1994)
Big Lake

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