Senate business more important than petition
Democrats are at it again, trying to confuse the issues of what really matter, like jobs and education, with issues that most Alaskans don't care about, such as this silly ballot initiative on filling a Senate vacancy.
Could there be another motive at work for these Democrats? If they want to go through the time and expense of a special election it could take anywhere from 30 to 90 days when a vacancy occurs. That creates the serious possibility of Alaska having only one senator in the Senate for a great deal of time. What if a vote for ANWR is pending? Alaska would need both votes in the Senate. What if a vote was coming up on providing a prescription drug package under Medicare? Alaska needs both votes, as it appears Democrats in the Senate might oppose that measure. What if a vote was coming up in the Senate to help President Bush provided needed tax cuts? We would need two senators from Alaska to represent our interests.
We don't have the luxury of having a Senate seat sit vacant for three months or longer. Don't sign any petition to change how Senate vacancies are filled - Alaska can't afford to have one hand tied behind its back in the Senate.
Mac Carter
Central, Alaska