Letters to the Editor

Readers write: Letters to the editor, September 24, 2017

Wohlforth overly simplified complex education issues

I am glad Charles Wohlforth got a great education in Anchorage public schools. I, too, credit the education I received from Anchorage School District as a solid foundation to my ability to contribute to my community in a meaningful way. Mr. Wohlforth's recent column on attendance rates simplified a complex, multifaceted issue as one of parental laziness and apathy toward education. I would argue this is lazy rhetoric.

Furthermore, to break down rates of absenteeism by racial/ethnic background without acknowledging institutionalized racism in pedagogy, income inequality, or language barriers is irresponsible.

Public schools are a public good for all. It is our responsibility as a community to remove barriers of access to quality education, not blame individuals for failing to succeed in a system that wasn't designed for them to do so.

— Britta Hamre
Anchorage

Alaskans need Sen. Murkowski to vote against health care bill

I was pleased to hear that Sen. Murkowski said she was against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act without a health care bill that was good for the country and Alaskans. In an April 26, 2017 letter to me addressing my concerns about health care reform, Sen. Murkowski assured me that she is committed to ensuring that important provisions of the ACA, such as covering those with pre-existing conditions and expanding Medicaid coverage, be continued. In her Aug. 11 letter, she expressed concern about the lack of transparency and the need for bipartisan consensus.

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The Graham-Cassidy bill does none of these and Sen. Murkowski needs to vote no on this bill. She also said last spring that she would not be bought off by special provisions of any bill that gave preference to Alaska at the expense of the rest of the country.

Please stay strong, Sen. Murkowski. Alaskans are depending on you.

— Joan McBeen
Tenakee Springs

Alaska drivers either don't know road rules or don't care

I would add to Danny Dantzler's comments on Alaska drivers (Letters, Sept. 21). The problem drivers are not only on the Glenn. They include those who:

1. apparently believe it is not necessary to stop at stop signs if the stop sign is in a parking lot;

2. believe it is OK to cross two or three lanes when making a right or left turn;

3. fly by school buses that are stopped with red lights flashing;

4. run every red light they can;

5. are so busy talking on the phone they fail to see people or other vehicles.

I could go on but won't. They either don't remember the contents of the driver's manual or are too self-centered to care.

— Rose Munafo
Anchorage

Party politics behind push for Graham-Cassidy legislation

It's deja vu all over again. The Republicans have come up with another health care bill designed to kill the Affordable Care Act, once again in a hurry without proper consideration. The Graham-Cassidy bill is even worse than the previous GOP effort. Whatever you think about the Affordable Care Act, the American people deserve better than these repeated efforts to cram through hastily drafted health care legislation in the dark of the night.

We all know why the Republicans are in such a hurry: If they don't pass a bill with a simple majority by Sept. 30, they'll have to come up with a 60-vote majority after that date, and they know that will be difficult if not impossible. Rather than looking for bipartisan buy-in for a reasonable piece of legislation, they prefer strong-arm tactics to persuade their Republican comrades to get in line.

Please contact Sen. Murkowski and Sen. Sullivan and ask them to vote no on Graham-Cassidy and to insist that health care legislation be considered in an open and deliberative manner that places the welfare of the American people ahead of party politics.

— Connie Nuss
Wasilla

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Graham-Cassidy would mean millions losing health care

On behalf of the American Lung Association in Alaska I'm writing to urge Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan to oppose the Graham-Cassidy bill. This legislation would allow states to waive key patient protections — and would permit insurance companies to charge people more if they have pre-existing conditions.

The American Lung Association knows health care is a matter of life and death for the millions of Americans living with lung disease. The nonpartisan Commonwealth Fund estimates that Graham-Cassidy bill would result in 32 million Americans losing their health care — including up to 18 million in 2019 alone. And the Senate bill will affect all of us because we'd all end up with higher premiums.

Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan must reject the Graham-Cassidy bill: Alaskans are counting on them to protect quality and affordable health care.

— Patty Ginsburg, volunteer
American Lung Association in Alaska

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.

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