How does the president know the things he alleges?
President Donald Trump continues to insist that millions of illegal votes were cast in the last election. How does he know that? Did a Russian hacker tell him?
I call that putting 2 and 2 together.
— Jon Sharpe
Anchorage
Trump should pull a Palin
Dear President Trump, please continue to follow your base. Pull a Palin, resign. Treat yourself to a vacation. The Golf Club Moskva is rated 4.5 stars, an "unexpected oasis in the middle of the city" (Moscow, Russia).
— Jerald Stroebele
Anchorage
Defined
Covfefe = Ineptitude
— Ken Flynn
Anchorage
Voters: Remember this fiasco
I just hope all the voters will remember this legislative fiasco come the next election.
There are those who have tried to compromise and make things work.
And then there are those who get their paycheck signed by the oil companies.
So again I say I hope folks will remember this at election time.
— Louis Dupree
Homer
With lives on the line, please don't shut down government
I work with NAMI Anchorage. Both my parents suffered from serious mental illness. I can imagine how much better their lives — and my life — would have been if they had had access to community mental health services and community supports. I myself have used these services for 17 years to recover from serious depression and PTSD. As my older son (now 31) has said in public presentations, our family was saved from falling apart because I had access to community mental health services and community supports. Community mental health services and community supports saved me and my sons. And that's what every legislator says he or she wants to do: support families.
Many of these services and supports will be inaccessible to people with mental illness, and often co-occurring substance use disorders, and to their families, if the state government shuts down over the same old battle of more taxes over less taxes. While the legislators have the luxury to dance to this old tune, our people are going to get very sick without their behavioral health services and can even die through suicide.
So a message to the legislators: Whatever you're going to do, do it now! Lives are on the line.
— Francine Harbour
Campbell Park Community
NAMI Anchorage member and executive director
Anchorage
Missing TV Guide
Our family is not happy that there is no longer a TV Guide. There is no way for anyone to see what programs come on during the day. When a child wants to watch something during the day, we have no way to see the time their program might come on. One of my friends quit buying the Sunday paper because there is no guide.
Apparently, you don't realize that not everyone has cable and cannot see a screen guide. We realize times are hard but we have already had to give up a Saturday paper. Sorry, the expanded Friday and Sunday editions are just not that interesting.
— Jan Wyland
Seldovia
Cutting essential services is no answer to fiscal crisis
The education head tax and/or the school tax bill are a "partial" solution to the state's long-term fiscal solution. I encourage the Alaska State Legislature to continue to work on long-term fiscal solution. I encourage the Alaska State Legislature to continue to work on these bills but only as a partial solution.
A much as I'd prefer to avoid having to pay more taxes, finding additional sources of revenue is crucial to a logical long-term solution to over-dependence on the oil or any other single industry. But it's not enough in itself.
A flat-rate personal income tax for both Alaska residents and others gainfully employed in Alaska, using state infrastructure, but residing outside the state, i.e., North Slope oil workers, commercial fishing industry employees, etc. A flat-rate income tax is another partial solution and is a logical method of creating other sources of revenue. A flat-rate income tax does not discriminate against low-income individuals the way a sales tax would and does.
Also necessary are Sub-S corporate taxes and corporate taxes for those in the fishing industry who reside outside the state of Alaska but pay nothing to Alaska for the privilege of producing income here. It's time they start paying their fair share as well.
One of the things the state Legislature needs to stop doing is cutting budgets for essential infrastructure, e.g., public safety, health, education, etc. I am especially sensitive to the issue of cutting the university budget as I am a professor at UAA. It pains me to see budget cuts that eliminate and reduce programs essential to the state's future needs. The university system is an economic engine and is vital to the state's future.
Please, stop cutting our budgets. It's a mistake that is causing irreparable damage!
— Mark Madden
Anchorage
If Trump wants loyalty, get dog
President Trump or anyone who wants and expects loyalty should adopt a dog. Treat the dog well and they will have unsurpassed loyalty. Local animal shelters will have likely candidates.
Meanwhile, I hope a job finds James Comey that appreciates his integrity, honesty, and experience.
— Cynthia Cain
Anchorage
Alaska needs a fully funded and balanced state budget
John Tracy, in his weekly commentary on Channel 11, said last month that legislators who believe the state budget is too generous should identify specific cuts within their own districts. I couldn't agree more.
These shortsighted leaders seem not to care about Alaska's future. Only the here and now seems to matter to them (meaning the next election). My children are fifth generation Alaskans who need leaders who will help build a better future for them and their (un-born) children. Legislators who believe that heavy-handed cuts are a better way to balance Alaska's budget than a broad-based tax (like every other state in America pays) serve only the interest of short-term residents that have no stake in our future. If legislators (who might not be planning a future in Alaska for themselves or their children) really believe that their constituents want more cuts, then they should find those savings in their own districts. Surely their voters won't mind (maybe they don't plan to be part of Alaska's future either).
I believe that most Alaskans want outstanding schools (like the ones that I and my kids attended), well-plowed roads, troopers that come when called and a university that we can be proud of. Residents who believe that they should be entitled to government services without paying taxes are not the self-reliant, independent people I grew up with. They need to go find their paradise where government services are magically provided for free. Good luck with that.
A tip for legislators: Some things are worth losing your next election over. A sustainable, balanced and fully funded state budget is at the top of that list. Your legacy is at stake. We are watching.
— John A. Farleigh
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.