Dan Mayfield State Senate District D

Contributed by Jeffery Mayfield

Dan Mayfield is running for Senate in District D in the Mat-Su as a petitioned Nonpartisan candidate. I, and my two brothers, are also proud to call him our dad. 

When my dad and mom first discussed the possibility of him running for Senate, it came as no surprise to the family that he and my mom would weigh the pros and cons together, as partners. They have been married for over 40 years, and their marriage is a bond built on mutual respect and listening that my brothers and I strive to emulate in our own relationships.

To those who have followed his two terms as a Mat-Su borough assemblyman, his practice of building long lasting, respectful relationships like this will come as no surprise. Having won the Bob Gross Community service award, running Big Lake Trails, as well as his tireless work on the assembly, it is known to most of his friends and family that he has a servant’s heart.

My dad isn’t much of a talker, but that is because he is usually busy listening. He truly values the input of his constituents and has heard the peoples’ frustrations over the binding caucus that drowns out their rural voices. He firmly believes in a full dividend because he has seen first hand the difference that that can make in peoples’ lives.

Dad petitioned to be on the ballot. He did not run in either party’s primary and is beholden to no one. He has received donations from all sides of the spectrum including some prominent members of both parties. He has also been called, “one of the most effective assemblymen ever to have served in the Mat-Su.”

I know from the bottom of my heart that my dad, Dan Mayfield would do well to represent all people. He is one of the most honest, and hardworking people that I know. He knows how to truly listen to people and hear what they have to say before making decisions. I am confident in saying that he will always do his level best to represent the values of his district as a whole, not just any one side of the aisle.

My dad, Dan Mayfield, would be honored to earn your vote. Please check out his website, DanMayfieldAlaska.com for further information or to reach out to him with your specific questions or concerns.

Fall Campaign Update

Contributed by Lisa Behrens

Months ago, the prospect of canvassing KGB, Point Mackenzie and Big Lake, to meet the people I hope to represent, seemed daunting. As of today, our team and I have walked, driven or called most all of District 5. It has been our goal to reach as many of our neighbors as possible before the big day; November 3. We’ve been diligent, and have met so many great people!

The experience and opportunity to engage the community has been both humbling and enlightening. The response to our effort and my message has been overwhelmingly positive. Most everyone we contacted expressed appreciation for the effort and the opportunity to address their concerns directly to a candidate. Our intent has been to express the goals of my candidacy while taking the sincere time to reach out, listen, and consider each person’s thoughts, desires, concerns, and hopes, through genuine conversation. I am grateful for this opportunity, and want to thank each person who has engaged in conversation with me and my team.

There has been a consistent message from our district citizens – a desire for better access to their representatives, with transparent, accurate, and honest information about matters important to them and occurring before the Assembly. Many feel as if their interests are excluded from Assembly consideration. I am a problem-solver by nature, and will address and that issue. My dedicated “Lisa Behrens for Assembly” team has established several ways to contact me for information: Email (lisa.behrens.msbak@gmail.com,) website (LisaBehrensAK,) Facebook (Lisa Behrens for Assembly,) and mobile telephone (907-775-5683.)

I hope those of you who I have not yet had the privilege to meet or communicate with make time to give me a call or send an email. I answer each one that comes to me. If elected, I intend to maintain and augment our Website and Facebook pages with information about matters of interest, borough business, meeting agendas, and follow-up summaries of meeting events. I am prepared to do the footwork of research, data gathering, and information sharing to aid the residents of our district in accessing what they need to stay accurately informed.

Put this on your calendar! Early voting starts October 19th (Wasilla Public Library and DSJ Building in Palmer,) with polls open on November 3rd. Election information can be found at www.matsugov.us/elections. Voting is our chance to affect the direction our government takes. We must not squander the opportunity; particularly now in what is a truly difficult period in our nation’s history. Your vote on November 3rd reaches far, far beyond District 5, and I ask, whatever your affiliation, that you ensure your vote is cast and counted.

I hope to build an expanding and inclusive network of people/friends who will be involved, care for our district as I do and who are themselves committed to see our borough move forward to a healthy, prosperous, intelligently managed future… so that it will continue to be the best place we call home!

Again, please do consider supporting me and my campaign with your vote – I look forward to working for you.

I Believe In Freedom

Contributed by David Vesper

Why can’t parents co-parent their children after divorce or separation? Because they are conditioned to win. To win is to have power. Power controls the other parent. That was when I discovered joint custody was a ruse. Sole custody or primary custody determines the true power dynamic between two separated parents.

 The Family Court system is naturally adversarial, creating a disincentive for parents to mediate or co-parent and harms their children. Family wealth could be better spent on their children rather than spent on their lawyers and court costs.

 That is why I advocate for shared parenting legislation. The rebuttable presumption of 50/50 shared physical custody should be the norm rather than the exception. If both parents are fit, capable and loving, the government should not interfere. Parenting is a human right. Children have the human right to have a relationship with their parents. When the Government picks winners and losers, the People are divided and they lose their freedoms. That is one reason why I became a Libertarian in 2016.

I was also fed up with the binary choices for President. In 2016, I truly believed that neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump could unify a deeply divided country. My vote went to Gary Johnson. I believed a third party can bring Left and Right together, and I still believe that right now… in 2020.

At this moment, President Trump and former VP Biden continue to divide this country along political lines. They are consistently placing blame on each other rather than accepting responsibility for the words and actions. They believe so much in themselves that, if elected, only they can heal a nation. However, their internal belief in themselves do not align with their external reality. The violence around the country reflects on their cognitive dissonance. So, again… in 2020… I am looking for the healthy alternative.

When I look for that healthy alternative, I want to feel confident knowing that I have a President that will secure freedom. Currently, politicians in power are deciding who wears a mask and who does not… who can assemble in protest and who cannot assemble in their house of worship to pray… who is to be a protected class of citizens and who is the oppressor and, therefore, cancelled… who can marry whom and who cannot marry… what history we can and cannot… what politicians can or cannot be indicted for crimes… which political candidates can or cannot appear on a ballot. This is not Freedom.

I believe in freedom! Someday, we will achieve freedom. Freedom to send our children to the school of our choice, to carry the weapon of our choice for the purpose of self-defense of ourselves or property, to do what we want with our bodies, to marry who we want to marry regardless of gender or sexual orientation, to peacefully assemble, whether it is to protestor pray… to have ballot access for ALL political parties… and freedom to be a parent again.

 I do not crave freedom for myself. In my years in the US Army deployed to the most depraved and desolate locations around the globe, I believe freedom is not mine alone. Freedom does not belong to a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or age. Freedom belongs to the American People. I believe ALL Americans are entitled to the same Freedom which must be secured to each person’s individual state of agency. Our agency… our power… is our vote.

 When we are faced with a binary choice for President, Americans believe they are voting for the lesser of two evils. When you vote for the lesser of two evils, YOU ARE STILL VOTING FOR EVIL!

In 2016, I casted my vote for the person I believed in. In 2020, I will adhere to the same principle by casting my vote… for Dr. JO JORGENSEN! Jo will heal a nation. Jo will secure our Freedoms. Jo is what this country needs! I believe in Jo Jorgensen… and so should you!

There are those in America that won’t let her speak! The Commission on Presidential Debates- ran by the duopoly of Democrats and Republicans. The only time they are bipartisan is when they want to shut everybody else out. But, I think they are afraid of a better educated, free-thinking woman.

There are those in the cable news networks that won’t let her speak! Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC! They are afraid that her ideas might actually threaten their candidate in the election!

There are those in the newspaper business that won’t let her speak! Newspapers like the NY Times, Washington Post, and the ALASKA DISPATCH NEWS! They are afraid to break from their editorial boards and actually report the news objectively!

There are those in Big Tech such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube that won’t let her speak! They use their algorithms to boost their favorite candidates while suppressing their political enemies… thus stifling or censoring free speech! They are afraid that Jo will make inroads in this election cycle and lose millions of corporate dollars in the process!

 Let her speak!

I’m With Her

Contributed by Josh Fryfogle

It was only a few years ago that I was being told by a large portion of society that, because of my gender and racial appearance, I was unconsciously sexist against voting for a women. The implication being suggested was that I was subconsciously sexist, that the system predisposed me - as someone who presents as a white male - to that inevitable condition.

Those men who were woke enough to vote for a woman, they were called allies. So what does that make the rest of us? Enemies, that’s what they were driving at. Not certainly, but probably, I was just an automaton of the patriarchy.

Now, just a few years later, I’m advocating for the only woman on the ballot in all 50 states to simply be heard.

My so-called woke friends, and all those male allies that were so proud of their wokeness, that were smug and indifferent to any discussion or dissection of their candidate’s history, or policy - well, they’re silent (or worse) regarding Jo Jorgensen.

For months now, I’ve advocated for Jo Jorgensen, the Libertarian candidate for President of the United States, who is eligible to win the election, who is on every ballot in every state in the union. I interviewed her on Skype - I introduced her when she visited Alaska.

When she visited Wasilla!

Despite that, those same people who were so quick to suggest that my not supporting Hillary might be a sign that I am subconsciously (and perhaps even secretly) sexist, they don’t give a single damn about Jo Jorgensen being silenced by the media, or the two-party duopoly.

These are the folks who confidently contrast themselves against their conservative counterparts, differing with them on nearly every issue, except one.

There is one issue that Republicans and Democrats agree on, and it transcends identity politics, every time.

They both agree that third-party candidates like Jo Jorgensen shouldn’t be included in the national narrative.

Think about that, my well-meaning friends. You didn’t just suggest that I might be prejudiced, bigoted, sexist for not supporting your candidate four years ago. You suggested everyone who appears as a white male - and maybe even white females - were sexist, too, preventing a woman from ever being president.

Your silence, your indifference, even your attacks on my preferred candidate now, these do not prove that you are sexist. Neither did your disingenuous exploitation of social issues four years ago, as it turns out you, my friends, were the automatons.

Do you know anything about Jo Jorgensen yet? Have you heard her? If the answer is no, then now is the time to change that. Time is short.

#ImWithHer

#ShesWithUs

#LetHerSpeak

#LetHerDebate

Independent in District 7D

Contributed by Nicole LeeAnn

The political division that has encumbered us all feels amplified in the Mat-Su. Incumbent legislators have not only failed to bring us together, they continue to stoke the flames. As a voter, I am looking for something different this election and am pleased to have found it.

The retirement of Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard has left the candidacy open to Christopher Kurka, who has made a big empty promise for PFD backpay. This is simply not feasible, even if the state were to eliminate our two largest expenditures: education and Medicaid. As a voter, I am left wondering how well Kurka understands our finances. Dr. Jamin Burton, an Independent, appeals to rationale over election falsehoods. I am a mother of four and value both the PFD and education, a difficult and conflicting place to be. Burton acknowledges the important role the PFD plays in our economy and the need to sustain it. He is also a teacher at Colony High School teacher who appreciates the Arts.

I am also faced with an important Senate vote for District D. As a substitute teacher at Teeland Middle School where two of my children are enrolled, I find Senator David Wilson’s voting record on the operating budget disturbing. Not only was he absent when legislators left Juneau to join the Governor at WMS in 2019, he found time to have lunch with the group instead of returning to the state capitol. I am confused about his choice to earn a paycheck teaching while not supporting Mat-Su public schools. Senator Wilson does not have children and attended college at a private institution. Maybe that has influenced his willingness to cut education.

Assemblyman Dan Mayfield, another Independent, has demonstrated a shared value for my children’s education that is not based on conservative or liberal principles. Rather, Dan is willing to campaign on having a challenging conversation about new revenue without taking a cut-only approach. Living in the Mat-Su, I have met Dan Mayfield. Not because I attend campaign events or hear from him during election season. Dan sticks around after meetings to converse about issues with constituents and staff. He is personable and has rightly earned my vote.

Our public servants are obliged to look at all avenues of fixing our state budget, not just those shoved onto them by their party. The decisions they make have real consequences for real people in their districts and it is becoming distasteful to believe one can win on conservative talking points alone. I’m ready to vote for change!

Making the Case for Long-Term Fiscal Solutions

Contributed by Monica Stein-Olson

I have had many opportunities to speak with constituents in recent months about the challenges that lie ahead. What is most striking is the focus on our annual situation and reluctance of some candidates to engage in discussions about the long-term.

There is an obvious election disadvantage to taking a position of filling holes with tax revenue. Though the outlook appears grim, I believe we still have other options. What we cannot do is continue to look no farther than the next year. Nor can we cut our way completely out, compromising public safety, infrastructure maintenance, education, and the future of the Permanent Fund Dividend. If Alaska had been more vigilant at preparing for such a decrease in oil prices and production when our fiscal crisis first presented, I don’t think we would see the level of disagreement we are now experiencing.

With that in mind, I propose that we turn some attention toward learning what a state bank might look like in Alaska. Having specialized in foreign economic development for the U.S. government, I can tell you that public banks are not novelties. Other developed nations have established such financial institutions to generate revenue and the United States is now playing catch up with the movement gaining ground. The idea is not liberal or socialistic. In fact, North Dakota has had a public bank for over a century that supports a robust agricultural industry. This has helped the flickertail state weather economic downturns, even prior to their oil boom.

A state bank is not a one-size-fits-all model of managing resources; however, there are similarities. For example, public banks in general allow for low interest lending to local small businesses, which increases entrepreneurship. Earnings are reinvested into job producing infrastructure projects, keeping money in state and increasing local money supply. Whether an Alaska state bank would provide returns to support the PFD, engage in personal banking or work with the private sector is all to be determined. The model is a blank slate that is uniquely ours.

Many candidates pretend that we can somehow cut our way to prosperity. This is nonsensical because cutting means job losses that result in reduced commerce. Essentially, cutting causes economic contraction – not expansion. With a dwindling and aging population, Alaska cannot afford to cut opportunities that make out migration attractive.

Regardless of your position, I look forward to further discussions about solutions that will help increase development and improve the lives of Alaskans. Please, get out and vote on November 3rd!

Mat-Su School Board District 3

Contributed by R. Ole Larson

My name is R. Ole Larson and I am running for re-election of the Mat-Su School Board District 3.  I am a fiscally responsible person, am an open book and have no hidden agendas.  I have stressed that education is not only the key to success in academics, but also with the trades, athletics, and all aspects of life.  For the past twelve year that I have served on the School Board, I have always been a strong advocate for parent choice in education. 

I believe that as a community we can overcome most roadblocks in education to include budget deficits, the coronavirus, racial disparities, and the pitfalls on social media.  There are challenges in education brought on by our dependence of the internet, but setting achievable standards in each grade level can counter this struggle.  

As a retired Superintendent from the Department of Corrections and prior member of the Alaska Parole Board I ascribe to equal treatment of all without consideration of race, creed, or gender.  This is something that we as a school board have implement into all schools at all grade levels.  Through help from parents/guardians, teachers, students, and the school board we can continue to make Mat-Su School district a leading district in the state. 

Mokie Is My Man!

Contributed by Beth Fread

His government name is Clayton Tew and he’s running for MSB Assembly Seat 5. Mokie and Roberta have been married and business partners for 35 years. They met as students at Evergreen High School and the love affair, as well as their business partnership, has led them to build a successful life. Their children, grandchildren and close friends gather every weekend at their home on Beaver Lake.

Mokie and Roberta have always been grateful for their community and the benefits they’ve received as active community members during their 20+ years on Beaver Lake in Big Lake. So, when they recognized that many people, including their employees, are challenged to get from one part of the borough to another, they built Valley Mover. Today, Valley Mover is called Valley Transit and has expanded its services and service area. A rose is still a rose regardless of its name and the Tews built it.

The headline for this article is a direct quote from my cherished friend former Mayor Larry DeVilbiss. When I asked him recently if I could re-post the endorsement he gave Mokie in 2017 he said, “Sure thing! I stood by those words then and I still stand by them today, ‘Mokie’ is my Man!”

The Tews have many other folks, just like Mayor DeVilbiss and I, who appreciate Mokie for his dedication to his community, his family, his employees and his friends. Following are quotes from Mokie’s neighbors, friends and employees.

Tom Gordon: “Mokie's the best man for the job. He'll do a fine job and I can see him getting into bigger government (like someone else I know -Amy!). That's the kind of leadership our state needs now.

We’re on the right track as our state is the richest in our nation. We need people who will stand for Alaskans. This is a lot bigger than anyone thinks. There’s potential for growth that needs to benefit the Alaskan people. I can honestly say that most that know Mokie say that Mokie is the best candidate for the job, best of luck Moke!”

Garland Morrison: “Mokie will do a fantastic job!”

Edward Mooney: “I owned an auto body shop in Anchorage during the 1980s, that’s when I met the Tews. Mokie knows what it is to work hard and he did selling tools door to door. I don’t know a family that is more honest and down to earth than the Tews. Mokie always stands behind his word. That’s hard to find anymore. l know he would be a great assembly member and will work hard for the people, he has our family vote”.

Jeremiah Kiggins: “My wife said you stopped by the house in Settlers Bay today. And she was happy with the conversation you had with her. I think it’s safe to say you have the support from our family this election.”

Those of us who know Mokie also know and respect that he’s choosing not to work as much. Instead, he’s enjoying his grandchildren, working for his friends and looking forward to serving on the MSB Assembly.

Clayton Tew’s goal is to reduce spending in myriad ways including ensuring that open and competitive bidding is mandatory in all contracted projects. He’s figured out why our trash collectors go to Anchorage, besides the fact that they pay less for dumping trash in Anchorage. He’s identified why MSB trash collection is more expensive in the MSB than it is in California and he will work to reduce our tax dollars going to trash. He’s also studying why so many $$$ go to school district administration, instead of the classroom. His major concern is the thievery and vandalism. He wants to understand what our law enforcement officers think the best way to reduce those infringements upon our homes and our wellbeing.

One of my friends on the ‘other side’ of the aisle once said to me, “Beth, you’ve always supported good people.” I say, I’m still supporting good people. That’s why Big Lake, Point MacKenzie and the southern portion of KGB’s best bet for an excellent Assembly member who has his family, friends, employees and neighbor’s at the forefront of his mind. That member would be Clayton Tew (Mokie).

Beth Fread lives in the Greater Palmer Area and is the Broker/Owner of Valley Views Realty. She’s also a well-known conservative activist in the community. She can be reached at beth@bethsvalleyviews.com.

Ordinary VS. Extraordinary

Contributed by Mike Alexander

Living in interesting times can be a curse or a blessing, it all depends on our approach to dealing with the problems. Ordinary methods, we have always done it this way, will not be enough in the difficult years ahead of us. 

Due to the current unsustainable state budget, Valley residents must create a strong local economy. This goal can be partially accomplished by completing existing major infrastructure projects, such as the railroad spur to the port and the upgrades to the Knik-Goose Bay Road. 

The Japanese are moving away from nuclear power generation. Our deep water port can export all the coal produced by Usibelli Coal Company to Japan.

Responsible harvest of our timber for wood products is more sensible and profitable, than our present method of using wildfires to clear our forests. Increased moose browse is a side bonus.

Extraordinary measures required from local government will be keeping taxes low, cutting the borough budget and business regulations to the bone.

Future extraordinary measures should include, planning a freight airport at Point Mac, expanding our road system to the Susitna River, and developing cheaper electrical generation.  Infrastructure, cheap energy, and resources are the key building blocks of a strong economy.

 As an individual citizen you can be part of the extraordinary plan to build a robust local economy which will create opportunities for your children and future generations. How?  Simple: Vote Mike Alexander for Mat-Su Borough Assembly. 

Out of Touch in District 6

Contributed by Rus’sel Sampson

As a parent and constituent in Assembly District 6, I have many legitimate questions about Leland Baugus’ September introduction as a Mat-Su School Board candidate. The unique characteristics of the Mat-Su Borough bring about many challenges to a voucher system that could increase costs and harm the education of many students.

Families in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District already enjoy the option of open boundaries – well, sort of. One of the greatest barriers we face as a community is the lack of public transportation needed to make choice truly effective in such a large geographic area. Even if a school is willing to bus students from Willow to Palmer, for example, how will transportation be funded? Many families do not take advantage of boundary exemptions due to time and financial constraints. Additional funding to support a logistics endeavor of this magnitude would only increase costs, invalidating the savings argument on its face. Increased state appropriations are very unlikely given our fiscal situation and a delegation that voted to increase property taxes, make additional cuts, or both through breaking the state’s bond debt reimbursement promise. Surely this isn’t going to support the additional expense of vouchers.

Baugus brings attention to his political ideology, stating, “My philosophy of public education is based on my conservative values and beliefs.” It is not the role of a school board member to impose their politics on families. This is of particular concern where data, not culture, is relied upon to determine educational outcomes - an idea our conservative board members revere when convenient. We have already experienced the fallout of conservatism through public outcry over banned books and the circumventing of teacher union representation in contract negotiations. Running for this seat on political values is a bit out of touch, as most Mat-Su residents are aware that the board is intended to be apolitical.

Furthermore, the idea of outsourcing public services has not proven cost-effective thus far. The business model has produced a much larger superintendent salary for what is promised to result in higher achievement scores through more expensive Advanced Placement (AP) classes. The free market is competition-based, so why not just say that we are willing to increase costs for better outcomes? Perhaps the answer lies in the lack of accountability in the private school system. I am not suggesting that these businesses don’t churn out successful students; I wouldn’t know. In fact, the absence of reporting requirements ensures that almost no one knows how a typical student would fare in a single parent or working parent household. Most perplexing is the use of public school test scores to justify a system that lacks accountability in the same manner.

The ideological position that Baugus takes in supporting “religious schools” is one that should frighten every Mat-Su conservative. It is this type of narrow ethnocentric thinking that neglects constitutional law. Publicly funding “religious schools” means adding Islam, Judaism, Scientology and possibly even Satanism to the mix. Revisit a 2019 Kenai Borough meeting opening with a satanic invocation if you believe this is too outlandish. While the removal of prayer in public schools has become a point of contention for many Christians, it should be viewed as protecting one’s own freedom to make religious decisions; preserving Christianity for the Christian family.

The truth about a school voucher system is that it will divert resources from large schools open to every student to smaller schools that benefit a few motivated by faith. Mat-Su public schools were built to accommodate the communities they serve, and the expense of larger buildings reflect such. In any logical universe, pooling resources as a matter of efficiency is recognized as strategic. If the sole purpose

is to lower costs and increase achievement, neither has been demonstrated to date and the public should demand data before voting for a half hazard idea that is driven solely by one’s religious passion. For these reasons, I’ll be voting for Dwight Probasco for School Board in District 6.

Promises Broken

Contributed by Tom

November 3rd, 2020 is fast approaching and the General Election this year is an important election for Alaska.

To put it bluntly: Alaska is in a fiscal crisis and is under a pandemic that is stressing our healthcare system in Alaska.

Three years ago, I saw the fiscal crisis coming and elected to voluntarily not apply for the PFD. The State of Alaska has been drawing from the Earnings Reserve for the past three years to keep the government running.

I wonder how many legislators can make the claim that they didn’t apply for the PFD while authorizing the draw on the Earnings Reserve?

It’s easy to say we need to cut the budget, but it is harder to say we are in a fiscal crisis and voluntarily not receive the PFD. There is the motto “Lead by Example”.

This election, Senate District D has three other candidates who all claim to have the answers to solving the fiscal crisis while promising a full PFD and wanting to build a Knik Arm bridge.

When a candidate states that they support a full PFD and building a Knik Arm bridge, they are either pandering for votes or are clueless on the severity of the fiscal problem.

I have taken the unpopular view of the PFD is on the table, more specifically for five years and a draw made to finance the Knik Arm bridge.

The federal government and its Highway Trust Fund is insolvent and federal dollars for road maintenance will be focused on repairs not new large projects.

When you look at how the government has distributed its money in Alaska, the Mat-Su has been pretty much been left out. There was six hundred and eighteen million dollars allocated to upgrade the Port in Nome, the bridge at the Eagle River on ramp to the Glenn Highway was built, the bases supporting the F35 boondoggle to name a few.

Time and again, Mat-Su voters have elected politicians who make promises they can’t keep.

A promise I can make and keep: I will  work to lock down funds to build a Knik Arm bridge and work with our federal legislators to appropriate defense funds for the building of a naval oceanic research facility at Port MacKenzie. 

My background in meteorology while in the Air Force, has provided me with the insight and experience to understand how the lack of data can affect modelling and forecasting the weather. With my military experience I understand how important it is to have a strong military presence in Alaska.

In 2016, Stanford University research has found how hydrothermal vents on the floor of the North Pacific can negatively impact the Pacific Ocean. In the Gulf of Alaska, the federal government is mapping seamounts.

Moreover, just recently the Russian navy harassed our fishing fleet in the Bering Sea and we have no Navy here to provide a show of strength.

Bottom line is a Knik Arm bridge and a Navy presence in Alaska is needed.

Last, at the writing of this Op-Ed I am finishing my position on fixing Medicaid fraud through developing blockchain technology and education funding is detailed.

You can visit my campaign website at lamb4senate.com to read more on the issues in detail and I offer my thanks for those who voted in the primary. This general election will set the course for Alaska’s future.

Red VS. Blue

Contributed by Wes Keller

More American lives were lost in our civil war than any other war in history! It is unsettling to consider the nature of man that drives such a level of destruction. Our ancestors were aligned into two groups so opposite and angry they lined up and slaughtered each other.

Looking at the current polarization in America, we have reason for concern and should contemplate several things that, if fixed, could prevent a melt-down. Media bias, complete with lies and omissions has been identified as a potential culprit! It is too easy for malicious propaganda to generate bitter anger. We bet everything on good voter discernment, which is under the “GIGO” principle (Garbage In, Garbage Out). It is increasingly difficult to know what to believe. Much of what we hear is exactly opposite of other things we hear. There is an increasingly marked divide between those who take in a steady diet of mainstream news and those who are paying attention to many high-quality conservative news sources.

The consequence of deductions being made from false information is people hating the wrong people for the wrong reasons. This insanity has not destroyed us yet because the majority of Americans still evidently know and generally embrace truth - the foundation of the rule of ultimate law— which the founders called “nature’s law”. We must, however remember, two murderous “sides” can congeal. Polarization is deceptively attractive and natural because group identity provides a false sense of security and righteousness to its members. Blind loyalty to either side can unwittingly grant license to hate, while nominally presenting an outward pretense of inclusiveness, love and equality. It is a critical consideration to decide when and where a line should be drawn between political groups.

In the civil war, the two sides were called the “North” and the “South”. Passionate division came from disagreement on the issues of slavery and federalism. Similar passions are still with us! The same issues are still with us… as well as defunding police, abortion, government overspending, the validity of Constitutional values, the Trump re-election… Fortunately, contrary to the plethora of news report frenzy, we do not yet have two sides in a no-holds-barred brawl. 

If Americans abandon “E Pluribus Unum” (the wonder of “Out of Many, One”) we have reason to fear utter chaos. Therefore, do not hesitate to be unapologetically patriotic. America is built on values honoring fundamental human dignity… freedom before one God Almighty… one “Supreme Judge”! While promoting American values, however, be thoughtful when labeling your fellow-Americans who believe or promote lies. Be thoughtful, but, do not give an inch! If “We the People” are confident in our basic values, we allow protection for liars by ensuring freedom of speech to counter them. America bets everything on the electorate recognizing and embracing truth. Too many, especially in the media, appear to be endorsing lies by pretending to have false respect for the tolerance of fools! It is okay to be offensive (intolerant) when the offense is caused by standing up for truth. Don’t forget, we each have a built in “knowledge of good and evil”.  It is inevitable that we live our lives perpetually testing and analyzing what is good and what is bad. 

The civil war killed off 2.5% of our population. To repeat history, this death rate would translate into us killing 7,000,000 Americans! When using worldwide, grossly inflated predictions and reports, the COVID-19 pandemic fades to insignificance by about 14 times! If you multiply every death report you hear by 14, the impact is staggering. You may think another Civil War could never happen, but current media reports of widespread rioting and burning seem to imply predominant unrest, frustration, and anger. If the media polarizes people into coalitions (two sides) with too many frustrated identity groups who conclude it is, “My way or die…”, we are in danger of something far more sinister than COVID-19.

A friend sent me a YouTube recording of an old favorite song that elicited an unexpected visceral patriotic reaction. Merle Haggart in 1969 – It made me consider the significance of the “Fightin’ Side of Me”. At what point is it valid to start really swinging our fists? 

I hear people talkin' bad about the way they have to
Live here in this country
Harpin' on the wars we fight, gripin' 'bout the way
Things ought to be
I don't mind them switchin' sides and standin' up for
Things they believe in
(But) When they're runnin' down our country, man, they're
Walkin' on the fightin' side of me
I read about some squirrely guy who claims that he just
Don't believe in fightin'
And I wonder just how long the rest of us can count on Bein' free.
They love our milk and honey, but they preach about some
Other way of livin'
When they're runnin' down our country, man, they're
Walkin' on the fightin' side of me…

Wes Keller | WesKeller.com

Representation for All

Contributed by Dan Mayfield

All too often, in politics, it is the loudest voice to whom political leaders listen and base policy decisions. The ideal of representing all Alaska’s citizens or at least all of the citizens of the district, seems to get lost in party politics. The idea of “doing the right thing” for the future of our State, gets lost in political maneuvering and the desire for power. I believe Alaskans are tired of their legislators going to Juneau and trading power for their vote.

Mat-Su needs a voice that is going to represent OUR interests, NOT special interests—and it’s for these reasons I oppose a “Binding Caucus.” Alaskans deserve a brighter future.

As a two term Assembly Member, I have a proven track record of success in working with people of all political persuasions.  I’ll bring that experience as a statesman to Juneau to represent all of us in a non-partisan way that will encourage an exchange of ideas to solve the many problems we now face as a state. Collectively, by listening and sharing ideas, we can solve our immediate problems and prepare our State for a future in which our kids and grandkids can prosper.

Obviously, we have several pressing problems.

Alaska needs a new fiscal plan that sustains us through the ups and downs of unpredictable oil revenues and keeps our communities vibrant. We can not cut our way to prosperity, certainly not with an anticipated $2.3 Billion deficit. Cuts are already ripping apart the fabric of our State. This reality has faced Governors and Legislators for the last several years. Yet, no leadership has come forward with solutions, just political football.

Alaska needs to take advantage of all of our natural resources and we need to have a robust discussion on how we can fund our constitutional mandates and promises while protecting the PFD for the future. This discussion will need to happen this legislative session.

Alaska needs diversified revenue streams and responsible fiscal management so we can still fund education, public safety, and infrastructure maintenance in both good and bad times. At the same time, we need to protect the full PFD and put it in the Constitution so that we can pass that legacy down to our kids.

We need to first begin to get the best value for our God given resources in Alaska before we do anything else. We have an obligation in our Constitution to do just that. While it is not the entire answer to our budget crisis, it would help to pay the bills and protect the PFD.

Additionally, our focus must be on locally owned and small business owners. It was they who truly suffered the most economic loss during this pandemic and had to close their doors. This caused a spike in unemployment and loss of benefits for many. I believe the State has been on the right course with grants, unemployment benefits and passing CARES ACT money down to local governments.

As an Assembly Member, we recognized the need to give a hand up to our small businesses. That’s why we appropriated $13 million in CARES ACT funding in the first round of our deliberations on addressing the needs of our citizens due to COVID-19.

We need to put people back to work and save lives by completing the KGB road project. Knik Goose Bay Road is one of the most unsafe roads in the State. Reconstruction of this road has been in planning for many years but simply has not gotten traction to the point of getting the work done. As a Senator, this project will be the number one project on my radar. Lives are being lost. The funding is there. I will have the fortitude and tenacity to follow up with ADOT to get boots on the ground working to complete KGB Road.

It is time for Alaskans to come together in search of a solution to our budget problems. I believe we must build Alaska to put people back to work and improve our economy. By investing in Alaska, we build a better future for ourselves and the next generation.

I hope you will join me in rejecting the failed policies of the past, the resulting deadlock and stagnation in Juneau. Please help me to give everyone a voice in our State government and meet our constitutionally mandated responsibilities by working together toward solutions.

I’m asking for your vote on or before November 3rd. Vote Dan Mayfield for State Senate – District D.

Serious Money

Contributed by Jim Crawford

 “Alaska is not broke.” Let me say that again.

As a banker in Alaska for about 50 years prior to retirement, I have a time-consuming habit of reading lengthy financial statements, since the devil is always in the details. I was most pleased a dozen years ago when I discovered Alaska’s “Comprehensive Annual Financial Report” (CAFR), required by federal law. The CAFR is the audited financial statement report that shows the actual income and expense and balance sheets of our whole state government. The report shows anyone exactly how our Alaska money is managed. You can find it at http://doa.alaska.gov/dof/reports/resource/2019cafr.pdf.

Studying the CAFR reveals one truth: managing assets through legislative appropriation is not working. Take the POMV (percentage of market value) system that draws money from Permanent Fund Earnings in a convoluted way. We have a standing law on the books that clearly says to legislators: “Pay the dividend of 50% of permanent fund earnings to Alaskans and you can use the other 50% for government, if you need it.” Instead, legislators adapted a different approach, and nine legislators were retired this year in the primary election as a result. Legislators who thought that they could spend our dividends on larger government, rather than follow the formula, lost their right to represent us. They were wrong, and paid the price for being rebellious public “servants” who forgot whom they worked for.

After reading the CAFR for fiscal year (FY) 2019, I came up with a plan that could manage the assets of the State of Alaska better than now. The plan is a bridge, because we need the economy not to tank during our rebuilding effort to produce more revenue from increasing oil production on the North Slope.

There is good news! In addition to our current oil production of the legacy fields on the North Slope at around 490,000 barrels per day, there is another 1,063,000 barrels per day ready to go into the pipeline. In turn, two times more production means multiplying the revenues for Alaska by three. These are actual oil discoveries awaiting development investments either by infrastructure investors, the producers, or both. Those new barrels of oil solve all our financial problems - if we do not kill the golden goose by voting yes on the disastrous Ballot Measure 1, or chase another producer out of Alaska. Defeating Ballot Measure 1 is an immediate action that must be taken for this plan to work.

So, how do we bridge the few years we need before we produce enough oil to get out of the pickle we are in? By remembering, “We’re not broke,” and using our strong financial assets to meet our fiscal needs.

Here are some of the state agencies with billions of dollars of overcapitalized balance sheets that can help us through consolidation:

University of Alaska                                       Net position $1,820,190,000

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation            Net position $1,571,423,000

Alaska Industrial Development Corp             Net position $1,374,903,000

Alaska Energy Authority                                Net position $1,543,000,000

Non major components                                  Net position $1,461,757,000

Total available capital                                    Net position $7,771,273,000

-

What I mean by “overcapitalized” is that each of these organizations have real money on their balance sheets, but do not use this money for their missions. How you can tell if it is “overcapitalized?” If the agency had this money last year and the year before and the year before that – it is overcapitalized. This growth in government does no good for the Alaskan people. Let us put this “lazy money” to work in the Constitution Budget Reserve, wipe out the Legislature’s prior borrowings to the CBR, and invest it or make it available to the General Fund. Solve the budget wars and build our bridge to a very bright future.

Of course, we still need to shrink state government, but following this simple plan and remaining patient can provide the resources required to get us through the right-sizing process. After all, just like the Alaska Permanent Fund, it is our money – Alaskans’ money. And in the immediate future, we must vote NO on Ballot Measure 1 to preserve the PFD.

Jim Crawford is a third-generation Alaskan entrepreneur who resides in Anchorage with his bride of 36 years, Terri. The Alaska Institute for Growth is a local think tank which studies and reports on and may sponsor projects of sustained economic growth for the Alaskan economy. Mr. Crawford known as the Permanent Fund Defender was a member of the Investment Advisory Committee, appointed by Governor Hammond to plan and execute the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation.

The Alaskan Trump: Vote Write-In, Stephen Wright

Contributed by Jessica Wright

On July 4th, we participated in the Freedom Festival Parade, waving to the crowds and passing out candies. It was the highlight of the event and we throughly enjoyed ourselves. Later that evening, Stephen Wright received a message from a little girl’s mother who said: “My four year old daughter was so excited when you gave her candy during the parade, she thought you were Donald Trump.” Needless to say, the compliment made Stephen’s day!

So who is Stephen Wright? He’s a husband, a father, a church goer, an avid baseball player and sports enthusiast, plus an Alaskan interested in politics. Prior to Stephen’s retirement from the Air Force, he was the Resource Advisor. His duty was to balance the budget with a 25% cut and and find creative ways to make everything work. Prior to this position he was the Contract Officer Representative in Iraq for the Army, Air Force and Iraqis.

Stephen Wright has been a Trump supporter since day one, even before Trump was nominated as the Republican Presidential Nominee. He was at a Trump rally in Las Vegas in December 2015. After coming home to Alaska, he decided to run for Congress in 2016 hoping to make a difference! And now knowing the present political climate Stephen Wright is committed to make a positive change for the State Senate race. He knows how important it is to stop the liberal AKLEG power grab and the liberal ideas coming from past officials. AKLEG is now the new villain replacing former Governor Bill Walker who took your PFD to fund Medicaid expansion and Pipelines to nowhere. Although Walker is gone from office many of his minions remain wrecking havoc to our Alaskan government. Since Governor Walker, Alaskans have been cheated out of $8869.00 PFD per person!

This is one of the reasons that Stephen Wright is not backing down! After a close setback to David Wilson in the Primary, you still have a chance to get your permanent fund dividend by the original rules set forth. Casting your vote for David Wilson or Thomas Lamb or Dan Mayfield to represent our district in Juneau is a mistake!

Write-in Stephen Wright for District D. He’s a Conservative Republican that will fight for your PFD, keep his promises, help to expand Alaska’s businesses, protect our families and individuals of our great state. David Wilson tries to act like he’s more conservative than he is and likewise the two democrats, Lamb and Mayfield. David Wilson said he supports the PFD and he’s against binding caucus, but in reality voted against the PFD in the binding caucus.

Some people say, “Stephen Wright, I can’t vote for you as you’ll split vote and then a democrat will win.” This simply is not true. Eighty percent of the Valley voters are Republicans or undeclared conservatives, so the Valley is less inclined to vote for any democrat. Wasilla/Big Lake, we have to win this election or get another four years of the same.

President Trump inspired Stephen Wright to get involved, to be part of the solution/not the problem! So it’s up to you Wasilla/Big Lake ,write-in and vote Stephen Wright for District D Senator. Choose the Right, Write-In Stephen Wright!

The Chasm

Contributed by Bee Rupright. Patriot

Today our politicized landscape once clearly drawn through with a colored line, is now the appearance of a great gulf, a chasm which seemingly can’t be crossed.

Here in Alaska, there a few who are claiming that “middle ground”. Well the middle ground of a chasm is definitely a fall to your death. Yes, there is ground there – about five hundred to a thousand feet down. This is the landscape of Alaska where unfortunately, because of the success of the Independent Bill Walker campaign for Governor, other so called independents or non-partisans, as they call themselves, are using the same game to deceive Alaskans. Now Walker was at least a republican at the start, and a lifetime one at that, a moderate republican I believe, but he got into bed with the Democrats to get elected, then, cleaved to that party, evidently, after his election. Was that necessary, I think not. Clearly, he performed as under obligation.

Now how much more obligation will be required from a so called non-partisan with open Democratic Party support and many similar ideologies from the get go. Perhaps it won’t even be a compromise of any sorts, since their heart lies in those same ideologies. They are not islands of “middle ground” which will float haphazardly upon the United States Senate or House floor. That body has ground rules, and one of those rules is association with one party or the other to pass legislation. Which party will these middle-grounders choose? Hmm? They will choose the party that has supported them with millions poured into our state for their campaigns. Do you need to ask who they are? Al Gross and Alyse Galvin.

There are others in our state races also, such as Dan Mayfield and Thomas Lamb. I can state these as my beliefs knowing the history of these people. They are from my district. Alaskan’s, you have to do your homework, as there are quite a few more questionable “nonpartisans” on the ballot. There is a history on these persons also, perhaps not the big money, but believe me they are seeing some, and some do have records, even with a few good things (most would find agreeable), but upon looking at the greater picture of their ideology, the truth is revealed. Both party sides have clearly expressed beliefs. Why don’t these middle grounders choose a side where their beliefs are stated plainly by their choice? The only answer is deception, and to fall for this deception is to fall into the chasm. As for myself, I will be voting for Republicans. One must be careful though, here and on the national level, and you may doubt whether your Republican vote is really a conservative.

On that account, I have great hope that here in Alaska, as supported by our recent primary “upsets”, we can bring up legislators who indeed walk the walk, not just the talk. Once again, do your homework. On the federal level it is harder to effect change, or possibly harder to see change, in an incredibly uphill battle for those who attain to principle.

Our President Trump is clearly, most definite about keeping to our Republic Constitution. Our Senator, Dan Sullivan has adhered to Republican principles. I was not a fan of his at first, but he has also addressed “across the aisle” concerns, although I don’t know why they are called that, as if a Republican shouldn’t have concern about polluted oceans. There are many examples of this type with him and our President on individual, national and world concerns that should just be that, not polarized. Our House Rep. Don Young, well he is Don Young, a solid vote.

My tears would fill the ocean, if you could understand how much I did not want this chasm, this division of ideology. I find it incredible that the Democratic Party has descended into the New Socialism, which is completely against our Republican Constitution and a large portion of our citizens don’t even know the beauty of their individual liberty contained there-in. We are a Republic. We were warned by our forefathers about the two-party system, though, and this divide was expected , but now is not the time for Republicans and conservatives to descend into factualism as we tend to do (since we are free thinkers), but it is the time to join together, put a voice to our commitment and get out and vote.

Then the real change back to the Republic we are privileged to live in can fill that chasm and we will be on solid ground, once again, to begin the work anew. One ground, one country, one Republic, under God, indivisible.

Vote to End 2-Party Quagmire

Contributed by Daniel N. Russell

Jo Jorgensen, Libertarian candidate, and Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate are registering surprising support in polls according to https://www.newsweek.com/libertarian-green-party-candidates-are-making-surprising-appearances-2020-election-polls-1519464 ), because voters are frustrated with a never-ending pandemic, climate meltdown, declining working-class health and longevity, race riots, exploding national debt, and a crazy nuclear arms race. We have sunk into a quagmire of inaction, due to our 2-party government. Clearly, we need a third viable political party to force compromise, action, and progress.

If we, the people, support and vote for qualified third party candidates of our choice for US President and Congress, then we can end our 2-party quagmire and limit corrupt corporate control of both Republican and Democrat parties. Let's use our voting power to improve our world!

Why Me?

Contributed by Jim Cooper

I am Jim Cooper and I am a candidate for State Senate District F. 

Why am I running?  I am running because the State’s economy is in free fall.  There has not been a fully functional balanced budget in over 20 years.  The funding for health services and education has been cut for the last 5 years and the PFD has been cut for the last 7 years.  Alaska has ranked near the top of all 50 states in domestic violence, alcoholism, sexual assault and now teen suicide for the past 2 decades. This is tragic and could be avoided.  But the current majority in the legislature are not addressing those issues, they want to keep cutting the budget, thus taking monies away from any programs that can help with these problems.  We can’t keep spending from our savings account while not replacing it with any income.   It is a stark reality but if we keep going on the current path of continued cuts, we will be broke – and soon.  We need to get income.  We need to get the BILLION plus dollars a year that we are giving to the international oil companies.  That is YOUR money, not theirs and all that money goes out of state and does nothing for our economy.  This has an effect on many programs.  Our education infrastructure is crumbling, our public safety and our health services are suffering and our roads, bridges, airports and ferries are in need of repair.  You can’t run your household on just cutting expenditures, you need income to pay for your necessities – food, medicine, mortgage, utilities, clothes, gas.  The same is true for the state.  We need income so that the services you need, you require, the ones the state promised are met.  That income needs to come from a variety of sources.  I am willing and able, along with your help to make the tough decisions on how to get that income so that we, as a people and a state, will continue to prosper.

The issues facing us today need an individual who can use their experience and leadership skills and their ability to get the job done.  I first moved to Alaska in 1958 and my first job (at the age of 11 and the younger brother) was to crawl under the halibut table and catch the heads before they were tossed into the ocean.  I would then pass them to my brother and together we would cut out the cheeks and try to sell them for 25 cents a pound. It was slimy and stinky work but I learned the value of hard work.  The lessons learned during my 26 years in the Coast Guard have stuck with me as well – how to get along with people, how to work together to accomplish the job – no matter how hard, how to work through difficult situations and how to persevere, how to work with a diverse group of people to come together for a common goal.   During my Coast Guard career, I was responsible for the life and well-being of over 1000 people and their families.  I know the hardship faced with death, the loss of income or housing. I can and will use this experience to help solve the state’s crisis.

After retirement, we moved to Palmer where my wife and I owned the JUST SEW fabric store.  I know how hard it is to run a business and keep it successful.  I was President of the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce, a Palmer city councilman and Palmer Mayor.  I know the difficulties of balancing the budget, attracting new business to town, increasing wages for city employees so they are not on food stamps.  I was also President of the Alaska Municipal League where I represented 141 municipalities throughout the state.  I know the difficulties they faced and I did my best to represent each of their needs to the legislators. 

Today you need an individual who will look after your interests and concerns and one who will work tirelessly for all of you.  You deserve better than you currently have.  Don’t be confused by my opponent’s rhetoric. You need someone who will represent you and not any political affiliation or special interest group.  I am that someone.  Together we can make a difference.  Please join me November 3 and vote Jim Cooper Senate District F.                                                                                                                

Wishful Thinking

Contributed by Valerie Mittelstead

I believe the Alaska Republican Party has become the “wishful thinking” party. They wish the good old oil days would return and Alaskans would again not have to worry about paying taxes or fretting about the PFD amount. They wish the cuts of over 40% to Alaska’s budget still leaves room to “cut the fat”.  The reality is that any new oil exploration will not bring riches to us anytime soon. The reality is that the price of oil is likely to stay low for a while, because there is too much oil in the world at the moment. Despite these realities, the wishful thinking party denies the need for additional revenue, such as taxes.

So, the wishful thinking party instead is looking at ways to take money from other entities to pay for Alaska’s essential services. Already, they have reneged on the promise to reimburse school districts for needed school construction. In Mat-Su, that will mean an additional tax of about $480, per year, on a $200,000 house. Already, they have raised the rates on residents of the Pioneer Home, a service started in 1915 by Alaskans to take care of their elders. Already, they have taxed Alaskans who depended on the Marine Highway to travel out of their cities. Now, they must fly to services their areas do not provide. These are, in fact, taxes. Costs that have been borne by the state are now borne by individuals.

The price of oil dropped precipitously in 2015, so much that we now give $8 per barrel “tax credits” to the oil companies. Since that time, essential services have been cut, jobs have been lost, and the conversation around increased revenue has stalled. Wishful thinking won’t get us out of this. Facing reality and working together will give us a path forward.

I am voting for Jim Cooper for Senate District F. Jim has a degree in finance, experience with budgets, and has spent most of his life in public service. He believes, “Together, we can make a difference.” We need someone like Jim in Juneau. Please join me in voting for Jim Cooper.

End The COVID Emergency

Contributed by Larry Wood

The language used in the COVID-19 briefings by Dr. Anne Zink is always conjectural - “maybe, might, could be, possibly” - and never definitive. The briefings are always couched with, “We have to do this.” Or what? We will all die? Yes, we will. All of us.

We hear weekly from the governor and others about the number of those in the hospital and those who’ve allegedly died of COVID-19. The numbers of positives seem to increase, but there is no scale of correlation to the numbers in the hospitals and the deaths with the increasing number of alleged new positives.

We are being told that masking and social distancing is making a difference, when there is not one iota of evidence to support this misconception.

What are we doing to ourselves?

My doctor told me the reason why the emergency has not been ended is the power of the CDC over the medical industry. He said the CDC’s attorneys insure compliance, the liability is too great if one bucks the mandates. Even though there is no longer an “emergency”, that we could be released tomorrow, it won’t happen until the politicians make the decision to do so.

Doctors who speak out are censured. Open debate has been silenced by the media.

More and more doctors and healthcare professionals around the world are speaking out in letters and testimony regarding the need to end the emergency. One such effort dated September 5, 2020 has been signed to date by 624 doctors and 1,714 medical professionals in Belgium who have signed a letter at the time of this writing in agreement to end Belgium’s and the EU’s emergency mandates. Over 12,254 citizens have signed the letter so far. The letter calls for an immediate end to the emergency and the mandates imposed. (https://docs4opendebate.be/en/open-letter/)

The Belgian letter states that:

•   Isolation and economic damage have resulted in increased depression, anxiety,
suicides, intra-family violence and child abuse.

•   Masking by healthy persons is ineffective in preventing viral infections.

•   Wearing a mask is the equivalent to being in an “extremely poorly ventilated
room” and is harmful.

•   There is no scientific basis for masking or social distancing.

•   The measures and penalties imposed are contrary to medical values, that the
measures are not completely scientifically based, and that open debate has been
denied.

•   The death count was not taking into account the fact that most of the people who
died suffered from other pathologies, and because of that, death should not be
attributed to COVID-19.

•   Those dying are 80 years old or older, and those younger than 70 who die have
serious underlying disorders that contribute to death.

•   Greater than 98% of those infected are not ill or recover without complications and
without medical intervention.

•   The PCR test was designed for research, not patient testing, and the testing inflates
the numbers, because of false positives.

•   Lockdowns have not lowered the mortality rate.

•   Strengthening natural immunity is done through exercise in fresh air without a
mask, good nutrition, stress reduction and having social contacts.

•   Isolation and quarantine have fatal consequences.

The letter stresses that social distancing induces stress, fear and loneliness all having a negative impact on mental and physical health.

We know that the testing is flawed, which inflates the numbers and introduces an error rate that, like Neil Ferguson’s flawed study is driving the continuance of an emergency that is based upon false information, conjecture and censure of any attempt to debate continuing the emergency in the face of growing information denying that there is a threat to the general public health.

The letter and many articles over the last few months affirm that Sweden and South Dakota were correct in their strategies of no lockdowns.

I urge you to look at the letter and the information presented. If it comes up in Dutch, there is a translation button on the menu.

In a 23 June article in the UK’s Daily Mail, it was reported that Stanford researchers found:

•   That people, 50-64, without complications have a 1 in 19.1 million chance of dying from COVID-19.

•   There is a 4,000:1 potential of being infected without masking or social distancing.

•   Middle-aged Americans have a 1 in a 1,000,000 chance of being hospitalized.

If there was an emergency, it is over, and the situation is now being misrepresented by our governor, Dr. Anne Zink, the MSM and the CDC in their effort to continue this fraud ad infinitum.

Once again, I ask Governor Michael Dunleavy to end his emergency declaration, and to immediately restore Alaska to normalcy. To remove any and all restrictions imposed against business, against family members seeing family members in healthcare facilities and to end the tyranny imposed in Anchorage and other Alaska cities by despots who seem to be enjoying the misery and fear that they are imposing upon their constituents.