Readers write: Letters to the editor, December 2, 2016

West bashes dictator Castro, but Cuba better off than Haiti

To understand what Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolution really achieved, one need only look to its nearest neighbor: Haiti. Up until the late 1950s, both countries were ruled by brutal, anti-communist dictators. Haiti was ruled by pro-American dictators, while Cuba experienced a popular revolution. Critics are quick to point out that "Castro was a dictator." Fine, but what did Castro's dictatorship accomplish? The infant mortality rate in Cuba is 5.8 (per 1,000 live births), lower than in the United States. The infant mortality rate in Haiti is 59.7, the highest rate in the Western Hemisphere. The literacy rate in Cuba is 99.8 percent. The literacy rate in Haiti is 61 percent. Life expectancy in Cuba is
79.1 years. Life expectancy in Haiti is 62.7 years. Haiti's U.S.-supported dictators received billions of dollars in American aid, while the Cuban people have faced a decades-old embargo.

Scores of "anti-communist" dictatorships have been supported by the United States. None have even come close to achieving what Cuba under Castro achieved. Cuba is a poor country. Human rights have suffered. This has as much to do with Cuba's belligerent northern neighbor as with the failings of the Cuban government.

Some in the media have tried to educate the American people about the realities of Cuba. With the amount of lies and misinformation being spewed out, however, this is certainly a daunting task. It is a task made no easier by the fact that a significant number of Americans appear determined to cling to their own ignorance rather than educate themselves.

— Kenneth Baitsholts
Anchorage

Bums begging on corner are hazardous; don’t pay them

Not far from our property is the intersection of Lake Otis Parkway and Tudor Road. Undoubtedly, you have seen the bums standing around there all year. Foolish commuters continue to distribute leftovers and money to those individuals, who are too lazy to improve their own lot. Although I am not strong enough to stand on my feet and hold a piece of cardboard for most of the day, I still work for a living.

Over the past few days I have noticed the ravens congregating there when the bums find it unprofitable to hang around. Just behind their bench, the short wall intended to be decorative and to shelter the landscaping, there is more garbage than can be cleaned out in a reasonable amount of time. Also, they are using the area just behind that large monolith section of wall as their toilet.

Admittedly, the police have better things to do and citizens should know better than to patronize these people, but it is going to take more than just wishing them away. As long as it is profitable for them to stay, they will do so. They will not clean up their garbage, of that I can assure you. If they cared enough to clean up after themselves, they would not be there in the first place. Be careful when you step out to inspect; some of those derelicts are prone to violence. It is wise to give them a wide berth when you see them along Campbell Creek as well.

By the way, if these "good-hearted" commuters really cared, they could stop by the Rescue Mission or other charities and donate there. I am willing to wager none of them make any such effort. Even the Rescue Mission will turn derelicts away if they are under the influence.

Good luck and best wishes for the holidays.

— Siegfried Kirchner
Anchorage

Non-taxpayer wants us to gild his rich and famous lifestyle

So the person who is too smart to pay taxes is going to require those of us who do pay taxes to pay millions to support his gilded lifestyle and the fact that his 10-year-old son doesn't want to change schools. How can we let this bully do this? Don't we try teach our children to stand up to bullies, as we should also do? Surely there must be someone in this great country smart enough to outthink this person. Please come forward.

— Jean Shadrach
Anchorage

As president, Trump can tarnish America’s name

I was completely taken aback by Trump's election to the presidency. I am a former Peace Corps volunteer (Chad, 1974-1976) and United States Air Force captain (1980-1986). I like to think I helped both my country and the world, at least a little bit. I have been a Little League baseball coach, a YMCA basketball coach and a Big Brother, so I hope I have given at least something back to the community. I have made a reasonably good living, so I have paid my share of taxes, though not always happy about it. Donald Trump has done none of those things, nor has he done anything comparable. Hillary Clinton has, and so much more.

Trump has spent his adult life acquiring things for Trump. He has never given one ounce of sweat for the public good. It is lunacy to think that this man, who has reveled in his ability to cheat the system, will change his stripes now. To the extent he has been a successful businessman, it has been because of his willingness to "stiff" those who provided the labor and did not have the resources to fight the ogre.

For the first time in my 64 years I am ashamed to call myself an American. I do not understand how so many of my fellow citizens could vote for this crass, vulgar, xenophobic narcissist to be the face of our country. I think of America as a beacon for the world, but this election proves otherwise.

I fear greatly for the country and the world. The damage this man can, and probably will, do to our economy, environment and standing in the world is plain scary. I can only hope and pray that I am wrong. I hope that whatever is broken in the next four years can be fixed someday.

While I do not understand it, Donald Trump is the president. While I do not respect the man, I do respect the office. We should at least give Trump the chance to prove me wrong. Or, as my daughter said, set your alarm clock for 2020 and hope the nightmare has ended.

— Howard A. Lazar
Anchorage

Babies’ lives are at stake

Why do Planned Parenthood and the ACLU rate a headline (Dec. 1) about their continued campaign to destroy innocent human lives? According to the article, these organizations are suing the state for enforcing abortion restrictions. The basis of the suit is that supposedly the restrictions are not medically justified.

Is medical justification more important than moral justification? Obviously, to Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, right and wrong are not relevant. Apparently, what matters to them are not the basic rights of unborn human beings; rather, what counts is their unfettered "right" to profit from the killing.

— Vince Fennimore
Anchorage

The homeless are human too

Winter is here. The cold, inhospitable temperatures are killers for the many homeless scattering our communities. Life is tough enough for those without a place to call home. Why then do we treat the homeless like criminals?

Categorizing the homeless population as a bunch of aggressive, dirty panhandlers or inebriates looking for a free handout seems to ease the guilt of the general population that chooses to ignore or vilify their presence. Not in my backyard! Who needs to see the real face of our community while waiting for our double skinny vanilla latte?

According to The Coalition to End Homelessness in Alaska, "1 in 5 individuals experiencing homelessness is under the age of 18." Most are not bums or panhandlers but victims of broken homes and abuse. Why, then, do we pass laws that treat the homeless as criminals? In many cities, panhandling, camping, setting out a sleeping bag, sitting on the sidewalk, food sharing and public sleeping are all illegal. Is this America?

Here in Anchorage, bus routes will be cut, in part, to prevent the homeless from riding the bus to stay warm, the transit center will disappear, Town Square has been "cleaned up," bus shelters and benches have been removed and now, according to the Basic Homeless Assistance Program, "the Governor has cut the budget from $550 million to $106 million."

Tomorrow when you see the faces of the homeless, contemplate their plight and acknowledge their presence. This is the season of giving.

— Danny Kilanowski
Wasilla

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.