Letters to the editor

My experience at the Alaska Republican Party’s preference poll at the Wasilla Senior Center

To the editor:

This evening, my husband and I made our way to the Alaska Republican Party’s preference poll at the Wasilla Senior Center. It was an impressive turnout, with many patient and good-humored volunteers at the helm.

Nearing the end of the 45-minute line to vote, I approached a booth for Nick Begich and stated, “I have never heard this guy speak on abortion.” The gentleman staffing the booth, adorned in a Begich ballcap and tshirt, responded that Mr. Begich is pro-life with exceptions, considering the “Native girls and off-road system people with such exorbitant rape and incest, and he doesn't believe a 12 year old should be forced to carry” – it was then that I interrupted.

I countered that innocent life can be preserved and the criminals prosecuted, to which he shrugged, “nope.” I then offered that I was raised in Southeast Alaska, and have not found myself raped or incested at any higher rate than the core population of, say, Fairbanks or Anchorage. The man sputtered, “yes you are.”

When I further insisted that to make policy based on such wildly insulting supposition, he defined me as an “Eastman person”. I gladly accept the label. How ironic – Nick Begich’s folks using an argument which practically had David Eastman strung up in the public square (invoking the sexual ethics of rural Alaskan women) as a eugenicist argument for themselves.

I twice extracted myself from the exchange, but the man pursued me to the exit, removing his Nick Begich hat and exclaiming he wasn’t a representative of Begich. He intimated in no uncertain terms that this is indeed the correct view, yet “too many people do not feel the way we do.” The exchange was loud, protracted, and reflected the pathetic platform of donor class republicans who loathe a consistent life ethic. Stand them down.

He attempted to join us in departing to our vehicle, an offer which my husband politely declined. Do not affiliate with weak men – for they are truly dangerous. They will exterminate the poor, the Brown, and the inconvenient, simply because it sells better. They will campaign to protect no one but themselves.

May the Glenda-era GOP of Wasilla and beyond begin to grasp: not only are the MAGA kids here — we do not fear you, we will outlast you – and we've already outbred you.

Tiffany Borges,

District 27

Thank you for voting yes to SB140

To the editor:

I would like to thank Reps. DeLena Johnson, Rauscher, Saddler, Sumner, Allard, McCabe, Speaker Tilton, and Sens. Hughes and Wilson....for standing up and voting "Yes" to SB140, the biggest monetary increase to our educational system in Alaska's history.

I know it was a tough vote and while no side got everything it wanted, the compromise is going to be like the cavalry arriving for our beleaguered schools.

Unfortunately, the Governor is threatening to veto all of this because he has the power, and he didn't get what he wanted. Instead of having worked hard to find consensus or compromise beforehand, he is planning on blowing it all up this March 14 or later this summer, in a line-item budget veto. This will spell disaster and chaos for school districts across the state.

People of the Mat-Su, please do two things:

1. Call your legislator and thank them for passing SB140.

2. Help them find the courage to override the Governor's threatened vetoes.

It's tough for a loyal Republican Legislator to stand up to their Governor, but they must find the courage. Please support them and let them know you've got their back when they vote to override.

All of Alaska is watching.

Michael Bucy,

Juneau