Democracy requires action
"Government is too big." "Keep it out of our lives." "Don't touch my Medicare." "Government is a big swamp."
These uninformed comments are distorted opinions. Our government was created "by and for the people." This is us, folks. It is our American birthright to support, understand and participate in it. The politics of good government keeps us safe We have clean water, safe food, paved roads, emergency response to crime, fire, disasters, road accidents, public schools and libraries, free elections, free speech, etc. America has been a prosperous nation for so long we cannot conceive what a dysfunctional government looks like.
Dysfunction is not having the freedom and services our government provides. It is widespread famine, wars, inadequate or unhealthy water and food, endemic disease, lack of paved roads, crumbling infrastructure, high unemployment, a dictatorship, with state-dictated propaganda dominating our media and infiltrating our schools, and no religious freedom. If we continue our disinterest or acceptance of distorted facts from faulty sources, we will squander what our founders ably spelled out for our democracy. If we fear the influence of big money driving our politics, we must become involved. And we must stay involved. The government reflects its base. The base is all who participate in our democratic process of government.
— Barbara Gazaway
Anchorage
Museum serves up feast of Alaska art
Each time I visit the Anchorage Museum, I am surprised by a new exhibit. Last Friday was even more spectacular, with the opening of the new wing of Alaska art. The paintings are arranged so beautifully, grouped in amazing arrays. The playful pink bears, the gut mittens — the traditional alongside the modern — was a feast for the eyes and heart. On the main floor, artist Ray Troll's dinosaur exhibit, joyfully combined serious science with whimsy. It deserves several visits as well.
Director Julie Decker and her talented team of professionals are doing a wonderful job. They have made the museum a place for all of the people of Alaska, expanded our outlook to other northern cultures, and filled every space with artistic surprises that bring us back again and again.
— Judith Burtner
Anchorage
Shut down 'troll' campaigning
Russian trolls spent at least $100,000 on political ads on Facebook during the 2016 election. This is a serious, serious issue and just the tip of the iceberg.
It is imperative we close all campaign finance loopholes that give foreign governments and agents the opportunity to use shell corporations and political groups to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence our elections.
— George Bennett
North Pole
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