Urging a ‘no’ vote on the tax bill

  • By LUANN MCVEY
  • Monday, December 4, 2017 7:08am
  • Opinion

I just received a letter from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, dated November 20, discussing her belief that the individual mandate aspect of the ACA is untenable because of its impacts on employers.

Unfortunately, the entire ACA will crumble without the individual mandate. If healthy young people are not required to join the market place, most will likely opt out. We need their participation to keep the pools strong. Repealing the individual mandate is the same as repealing the ACA. Cuts in funding for Medicaid, Medicare, education, and other services that benefit thousands of Alaskans will, sadly, accompany such a repeal.

Murkowski previously stated:

“The national debt and deficit is one of the most important issues facing our country. Since the 2008 Recession, the ratio of national debt as a share of our national economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), has reached astronomical limits — as much as 78 percent of our GDP. At current rates, the national debt amounts to more than $56,000 per citizen. This is unsustainable and threatens the stability of the United States as the world’s strongest economic power.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

In addressing health care, an intensely personal issue to all Americans and one with significant impact on our nation’s economy, it’s imperative that everyone is heard. This is why I consistently advocated for regular order while the Senate health care proposals were being drafted so ideas from both parties could be considered and thoroughly examined.”

I understand the repeal of the ACA’s individual mandate is one aspect of the current tax bill, heading to the Senate floor. With regard to health care in Alaska, that is unacceptable. Ignoring Alaska’s huge problems with health care, including opioid addiction, based on her belief in the Alexander–Murray “bipartisan compromise“ is phony. That legislation is not going to fix the problem.

Voting for this tax bill would be a destructive partisan action that will increase our national debt by at least $1.4 trillion. Repealing the ACA’s individual mandate will cause insurance premiums to skyrocket. That hurts middle class Alaskans; it is clear the middle class will not benefit from this bill; on the contrary, the very wealthy and corporations will do quite well, but the rest of us will pay more in medical spending and in taxes as a result of the deletion of individual exemptions and itemized deductions. Not to mention the temporary nature of some individual cuts, contrasted with the permanence of those benefiting corporations and the very rich. Eliminating the Estate Tax, touted as huge progress by those backing this bill, will benefit on the order of 0.02 percent of Americans, the wealthiest in the country.

Senator Murkowski is considering attaching riders to the tax bill, including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and exempting the Tongass from the Roadless Rules. Both of these actions would boost her in the eyes of certain donors, including big oil and the logging industry. I hope she is aware that not all Alaskans favor drilling in the Arctic or roads in the Tongass. I, for one, do not, and I am an Alaskan voter.

I believe Murkowski is one person in politics who has a conscience and cares genuinely about the well-being of those who are less able to speak for themselves. I hope she will not allow her partisan roots to pull her into the herd voting for this tax bill. I urge your readers to ask the senator to vote NO on this tax bill, as it will profoundly reduce the quality of life of poor and middle class Alaskans.


• Luann McVey is a retired teacher in Juneau. My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire.


More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

Elon Musk boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on Friday, March 21, 2025. Musk was traveling with President Donald Trump to Bedminster, N.J. The world’s richest man made inaccurate claims about entitlement fraud, how a government payment system works and government survey costs. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
My Turn: Is it time to impeach Elon Musk?

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States,… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Sen. Sullivan should have a voice, not just nod along with Trump

I echo the concerns expressed by Diane DeSloover in her letter in… Continue reading

Multiple vehicles line up at the entrance of Waste Management’s Capitol Disposal Landfill in Lemon Creek on Jan. 30, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: CBJ budget challenges mount

Borough budget challenges just got bigger — and messier A recent news… Continue reading

Jane Hale is a longtime Juneau resident. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
My Turn: Fight fascism — shop local

There’s an uncommon sight on Seward Street these days: a bra shop… Continue reading

People tour the garden plots during the 30th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug 24, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
My Turn: Increasing food security without a state agriculture department

There is a path to increasing food security without an Alaska Department… Continue reading

Charles VanKirk offers public testimony during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
My Turn: Pay attention to the projects the Assembly is prioritizing

In the Assembly’s March 3, 2025, FY26 CBJ Capital Priorities List, our… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Sullivan enabling Trump’s march toward authoritarian rule

To Sen. Sullivan: This letter is in response to your address to… Continue reading

Most Read