Campaigns
Dear Editor: Where’s the truth? Not in the outsider ads paid for by Americans for Prosperity, Club for Growth, et al. Facts: as mayor of Anchorage, Mark Begich and the Assembly closed a $33 million inherited budget deficit while improving city roads and “spurring construction of the Dena’ina Civic Center” (ADN, Sept 11, 2014.) He balanced the city’s budget enabling S&P to upgrade Anchorage’s bond rating to AA.
Alaskans know that! They won’t be duped or bought with outsider propaganda. There are facts to refute every ad! (And isn’t it a terrible shame we can’t trust the ads?)
Mark Begich, a lifelong Alaskan, isn’t in the pockets of Washington’s Big Money Lobbyists who say anything to defeat him. When Dan Sullivan – and lately, Sen. Murkowski – are sponsored and controlled by outside interests, they aren’t fighting for Alaskans’ interests. They just can’t do it. They’re fighting for the Piper’s interest: they have to pay the piper!
Mark’s proven he answers to us: right here in Southeast Alaska, he blocked cuts to essential air service and got key funding for rural schools and harbors. He opposes Frankenfish and supports our fishing industry. Contrast: Sullivan barely visited our communities as AG or DNR commissioner and has criticized the Recovery Act.
The truth is that Alaska needs Mark Begich to keep fighting Dan Sullivan’s Washington special interests. We sure don’t need more control from Washington lobbyists and their “yes” men.
Ann Stephenson, Sitka
Raffle Winner Sought
Dear Editor: Somewhere in Sitka, a man and his son are missing a new pair of Xtratuf boots. The man, whose name is rumored to be Neil, and his son, who came dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi, won the raffle for the new boots (donated by Russell’s) at Saturday’s Running of the Boots fundraiser for the Sitka Local Foods Network.
Somehow they left without picking up their certificate for their boots. A reward is being offered for identification of these Star Wars fans: a new pair of boots. Contact Kerry MacLane, 747-7888.
Kerry E. MacLane,
Sitka Local Foods Network
Running of the Boots
ACA and Begich
Dear Editor: Unlike many health care commentators who are paid to have an opinion of Obamacare, I am a 16-year customer of the individual market in Alaska, so I have paid for my opinion of health insurance reform.
In my tenure with the same major insurance provider I have encountered lots of double-digit premium increases and had my policy terminated twice by the insurance company.
Thankfully, all that ended when the ACA was passed. For the last two years I have had no premium increases. In fact, I have got a rebate check back ($537 this year) from the same insurance company that assured me they were already spending the ACA-required 85 percent on medical reimbursements. Yes, there is more reform needed in the insurance market and the ACA needs some more tweaking, but for me, it is better than before.
I am grateful to politicians who have the courage to try to fix a hard problem, even if everything is not perfect the first time. That is why I support Mark Begich for Senate. He looks for solutions, even if it is politically risky.
Bert Bergman, Sitka
