As the governorship of Alaska teeters on the final ballot count, I wonder, will it make a difference on liberty and freedom? Alaskans adore money. We all want some and understand that fossil fuels brings the best opportunities. Is having money to purchase things really what freedom is all about?

In the 1850s there was an honest discussion concerning freedom and liberty. Many people of color were slaves on the plantation. Their ability to produce goods and services was owned by another. 100 percent of their labor was taken in turn for safety, roof over their heads and food on their plates. Just as long as they submitted to the authority over them, all was good.

Are we any better today? Who owns our labor? What percentage of our labor can be taken by government and still be free? Corporations, dictating to governments, tell the people to turn over more and more of our labor to take care of us and keep us safe.

Oil corporations run Alaska as the “banks too big to fail/jail” run the federal government. We have become no different than the black slave of 1850. Except the slave master today, has not yet taken all our labor in return for safety, roof over our head and food on our plates.

Just wait. 100 percent of your labor is owned by the government. The IRS decides how much to take today and tomorrow will take more. The national debt will be paid for. If not by the collection of 100 percent of our labor today then 100 percent of the labor of our children and grandchildren. We have lost the understanding of freedom and liberty in Alaska and throughout our nation.

Ray Southwell

Nikiski

I would like to say thank you to those young people at the light by Safeway and McDonald’s in Soldotna with signs thanking veterans for their service on Veterans Day. As a Vietnam veteran, you made my day.

Thomas Stepnosky

Kenai

A special thanks to the Kenai Fire Department. While driving by the station this week my son, Luke, asked me to stop. We went in to see if they could say hello to my son. What a nice surprise when we were invited in! Firefighter Pete talked to my son and showed him the fire trucks. That trip later prompted a family discussion about fires in the house, what to do and where to go, and a “home” fire drill. Thank you Kenai Fire Department.

Katy Rice

Kenai

On Nov. 6, Kenai Peninsula College launched a celebration of Alaska Native/Native American Heritage month. Our campus experienced a celebration that embraced traditional values, culture, and spirit of Alaska Native and Native Americans. This rich celebration will continue every Thursday in November up to Thanksgiving. Thank you to the Kenaitze Indian Tribe for embracing this event on our campus, to Sandy Wilson for her culinary talents reflected in the delicious fry bread, to the UAA Diversity Action Council, and to everyone who contributed to this event.

Diane Taylor,
Learning Center Director,
and Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart,

Rural & Native Student Services Coordinator