Emperor's Rants and Observations

Last week I posted about Anchorage Mayor Sullivan’s veto of an amendment that would provide equal protection for Anchorage citizens of any sexual orientation. The ensuing discussion led to whether the Mayor had an obligation to do the will of the majority. Although, in this case he is doing the will of a vocal minority who we don’t even know if they reside in Anchorage or not.

So here is the oath of office that the mayor took.

I solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Alaska and the Charter of the Municipality of Anchorage, and that I will faithfully perform the duties of Mayor to the best of my ability.

Seems pretty simple and straight forward. How is vetoing an ordinance that would protect people from discrimination performing the duties set forth in his oath of office?

The United States Constitution

Amendment 14 – Citizenship Rights.

1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Permitting people to be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation would be a classic example of denying those people the equal protection under the law.

The Constitution of the State of Alaska

Article 1 – Declaration of Rights

§ 1. Inherent Rights

This constitution is dedicated to the principles that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own industry; that all persons are equal and entitled to equal rights, opportunities, and protection under the law; and that all persons have corresponding obligations to the people and to the State.

There it is again, “equal protection under the law”. How can we have equal protection under the law when we are free to discriminate against anyone simply because of their sexual orientation.

The Home Rule Charter For The Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska

Article II The Bill Of Rights

(7) The right to opportunities in housing, public accommodations, employment, and education without regard to race, religion, sex, color, national origin, marital status or physical handicap; and the right to an Equal Rights Commission at the municipal level in the aid thereof.

While perhaps not as clear as the US and State Constitutions, the Home Rule Charter in spirit of the law is pretty clear that discrimination in “housing, public accommodations, employment, and education” is generally unacceptable.

When it comes to education the Anchorage School Board policy states:

Appendix A — Statement of Rights and Responsibilities:

Non-Discrimination

This Statement of Rights and Responsibilities will be enforced fairly and uniformly without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex or gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office. ASD Statement of Nondiscrimination

Individual and/or groups are in violation of this policy if they:

* Make demeaning remarks directly or indirectly, such as name-calling, racial slurs or “jokes”; or
* Physically threaten or harm an individual; or
* Display visual or written materials or deface, damage, or destroy property or materials; or
* Perform any other act that is clearly discriminatory or harassing in nature;

because of the person’s race, creed, gender, national origin, age, language spoken, ability, disability, martial status, political or religious beliefs, physical or mental condition, family, social, or cultural background, or sexual orientation.

So apparently government at every level, even in our own Anchorage School District, recognizes the need to protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation. But in the infinite wisdom of our Mayor he has found “clearly a lack of quantifiable evidence necessitating this ordinance”. Or perhaps this was just the payoff to Prevo and his cult members for their campaign support?

The majority of the Anchorage Assembly, representing the majority of Anchorage residents, voted for the ordinance. The Mayor ignored the obligations he undertook in his oath of office. It is now up to the Assembly to have the courage to do the right thing. Protecting the fundamental rights of every Anchorage resident. Giving them equal protection under the law, and access to the “Equal Rights Commission at the municipal level in the aid thereof.”

From what I’ve been told, only an Assembly member can call for a vote to override the veto. I appreciate those members that supported the ordinance in the past, but now is not the time to quiver in the face of bigotry. Anchorage needs you to stand up and stand tall to what is blatant bigotry. We need to have it on public record who supports the rule of law and equality for everyone. We also have a right to know who supports denying equal rights of some based simply on religious dogma and political expediency.

Anchorage is waiting and watching. We won’t forget when it comes to election time which side you stood with.

Facts About Sexual Orientation

It is the policy of the government of the United States to provide equal opportunity in federal employment for all persons, to prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, age, sexual orientation or status as a parent, and to promote the full realization of equal employment opportunity through a continuing affirmative program in each executive department and agency. This policy of equal opportunity applies to and must be an integral part of every aspect of personnel policy and practice in the employment, development, advancement, and treatment of civilian employees of the federal government, to the extent permitted by law.

That is the standard we should be trying to emulate and live up to. Not backing away from because we have a mayor in Sullivan that is clearly a bigot and has been unduly influenced by Political Activist Jerry Prevo and his cult of mindless zombies.

Here is what Mr. Sullivan had to say for his veto statement.

On August 11, 2009, the Anchorage Assembly passed AO2009-64(S-2) as amended. I
have reviewed the ordinance, heard the Assembly justifications for and against it, and understand the sentiments expressed during the many hours of public testimony. Since the passage, I have received nearly 2,500 additional communications from Anchorage residents. I thank all of those who took the time to participate in the process.

My review shows that there is clearly a lack of quantifiable evidence necessitating this ordinance. My review also shows that the vast majority of those who communicated their position on the ordinance are in opposition.

As elected officials, we are charged with reflecting the will of the community in our decisions, particularly in the absence of compelling data that would supersede that will.

Therefore, I hereby veto AO2009-64(S-2) as amended.

Note: The mayor’s office does not plan to conduct individual media requests today. Questions will be referred back to the statement.

No quantifiable evidence? How about the hatred and vitriol that opponents of the ordinance spewed hour after hour, day after day of testimony? How about going so far as to bus in people from the Valley to testify? How about the obviously orchestrated tactics approved by the Assembly Chair to allow Prevo to manipulate and abuse the system. You don’t think these people wouldn’t refuse to hire, rent to or give credit to people simply based on their sexual orientation?

Do you think the federal government would have such protections for their employees if there wasn’t a reason to protect people from discrimination by bigots against sexual orientation? He didn’t find any evidence because he didn’t look and doesn’t care. That’s just his excuse for the inexcusable.

Being an elected official isn’t about being popular. It isn’t about appeasing people, like religious fanatics. There was no argument presented against the ordinance that wasn’t rooted in Christian dogma. Last I heard we hadn’t official converted to a theocracy, although it appears Prevo effectively controls the Administration and Assembly Chair Debbie Ossiander. Read the “An Open Letter To Anchorage Assembly Chairwoman, Debbie Ossiander.” For an example of the lies and pressures brought from the ignorant and narrow minded Christian Right. The fact is that it is the governments responsibility to not simply do what is popular, but what is right. Permitting discrimination isn’t right.

Then to add insult to injury, Mr. Sullivan just issues that short written message and refuses to face the people he is sworn to serve to defend his position, or even to answer questions from the press. The man is a gutless worm, that has no respect or compassion for anyone other than those that line his pockets with campaign donations and deliver votes from their pulpit.

However, this is good news for business owners and landlords. Now they are free to discriminate against everybody they don’t like, for whatever reason. All they have to do is say it’s because of their sexual orientation. Doesn’t matter if they are straight or not, whether it’s true or not, they just have to say that’s what they believe.

I encourage business owners and landlords to use this opportunity to rid yourselves of people that you have wanted to, but were afraid to because of the laws against discrimination. See what those people don’t understand is that sexual orientation includes heterosexuals. So you can now be fired, refused to be hired, refused a promotion, refused to be rented to, refuse to be loaned to, for being straight. Our own mayor has effectively said that discrimination based on sexual orientation is fine.

How many heterosexuals will have to be adversely affected before Sullivan and the assembly will feel the pressure to do the right thing. We’ve got three weeks. How many people can we get fired or evicted in that amount of time?

How many people can we get into the Prevo Cult to stand up and call Prevo and all of his followers bigots and unworthy to follow Christ. How many people can we get to show up to picket and write down license numbers of those that attend the cult meetings to see if their employers or landlords want to make them an example of how sexual orientation discrimination feels.

I sent an email testimony to the assembly members during the testimony period. I posted the letter here. Of the four that voted against the ordinance, Coffey, Starr, Birch and Ossiander, only Ossiander replied. She only replied in response to my criticism of allowing outside agitators to abuse the system. I’m debating whether I should post those email exchanges which in my opinion shows that Ossiander was acting in collusion with Prevo to delay the vote by allowing people to continue to sign up to speak after the original hearing and permitting people outside of Anchorage to testify

Here are the email addresses.

Send to entire Assembly. wwmas@muni.org Probably the best way to get to them all.

Assembly Members that voted against the ordinance. Make sure Ossiander brings the override to a vote, even if the numbers don’t change. I want to be there when they vote and look me in the eye when they say my daughter is less human, less deserving, less worthy of protection from bigots. We especially need to target Ossiander.
Debbie Ossiander ossiander@gci.net
Bill Starr starrwe@muni.org
Dan Coffey dancoffey@gci.net
Chris Birch chrisbirch@gci.net

Assembly Members that voted for the ordinance. Thank them for their prior support and ask for their continued support by forcing an override vote.

Elvi Gray-Jackson gray-jacksone@muni.org
Sheila Selkregg sheilaselkregg@alaska.com
Mike Gutierrez gutierrezm@muni.org
Jennifer Johnston jjohnston@gci.net
Patrick Flynn flynnpp@muni.org
Matt Clayman mattclaman@gmail.com
Harriet Drummond harrietdrummond@alaska.com

Share any responses you get below. I’ll be adding more information about upcoming protests and other activities to bring pressure to bare on the assembly to override the veto.

Let’s start with this: "They’re not handicapped. They are able-bodied men and women who don’t work because the government takes care of them and so they don’t need to."  How do you know this?  Under the current rules it’s nearly impossible to get  public assistance if you are not over 65, disabled or have children under the age of 5 living in the home and then there are time limits.  So if you think someone is receiving benefits fraudulently report them.

http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/programs/apa/

Adult Public Assistance Program was established 15 years ago with the mandate to furnish financial assistance to needy aged, blind, and disabled persons and to help them attain self-support or self-care. People who receive APA financial assistance are over 65 years old or have severe and long term disabilities that impose mental and physical limitations on their day-to-day functioning.

http://hss.state.ak.us/dpa/programs/gra/

Eligibility for General Relief Assistance is always determined on a month-to-month basis. Applicants must demonstrate and verify an unmet emergent need in the month of application that can be satisfied by GRA. GRA payments are always made to vendors who can provide the needed services.

http://hss.state.ak.us/dpa/programs/atap/

The Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) provides cash assistance and work services to low-income families with children to help them with basic needs while they work toward becoming self-sufficient. This program is provided under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant.

ATAP changed the traditional focus of the state’s public assistance program for needy families to an employment-focused program from an entitlement under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. Temporary Assistance stresses family self-sufficiency through employment.

Then there is rental assistance available through Alaska Housing including public housing and other programs including the Family Self-Sufficiency program. (which I think should be the model for public assistance going forward).

My issue is that we have too many different programs, in different offices, with different requirements.  In addition to those above there are:

Child Care
Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance
Denali KidCare
Family Nutrition
Food Stamps
Heating Assistance
Medicaid
Senior Benefits

And the municipality has its programs and all of the programs ran by non-profit organizations as well which many recieve public funding of some of their programs.

So there is a lot of help out there from a many different sources, the problem I think is that our delivery system isn’t very effecient and too often ineffective in the long term.

Some thougts from my world view  related to ths topic.

6) I believe in “sufficient government”.  Large enough to handle it’s duties but not so large that it smothers us with laws, rules and regulation.  I believe that we, as a whole, have a moral obligation to care for those that are unable to or struggling to care for themselves.  I also believe that there should be “strings” attached to our help, namely to move them to as much self sufficiency as possible as quickly as possible.  I believe there is a tremendous waste in government due to redundancy and overlaps. There are some things that I believe government should not be involved with at any level.

12) Personal responsibility should be the standard in our culture. We should do everything possible to help people attain and maintain that standard.  Churches and other non-profits can be part of that, but our government has an obligation to “promote the general welfare”.  We need to revolutionize the welfare system, but that doesn’t mean that the government shouldn’t be a major part of that.  Nobody should be reduced to begging on the streets, to the church, their neighbors, or other organizations for assistance.  Those institutions are already overwhelmed and many of them receive government grants as well. I would rather my tax dollars go to helping people than 1% for the arts that usually produces the most hideous piece of crap imaginable.

13) Good health and a good education are the two most important factors of a good workforce and society.  It’s in all of our best interests to do what we can do to ensure good health and good education, because that is what drives our economy. The affordable availability of education and health insurance to every citizen should be a priority.

And just added:

31) We need to change how we view Child Support.  We need to encourage non-custodial parents to stay involved in the raising of their children.  Unless there is a history of abuse, the non-custodial parent is a vital part of raising children to be well adjusted and productive adults. [more]

If we were to treat public assistance as a project and "Begin with the end in mind" (Stephen Covey) what end are we looking for as a goal?   I think everyone would agree that the only goal should be a self sufficient family that no longer needs public assistance to enjoy "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

So we have to look at the reasons why somebody is in need of public assistance.  What got them here and what do they need to get where we want them to be.  There are many reasons why people turn to the public for help.  Is it substance abuse, health, child care, transportation, housing, education, job skills, lack of a mentor, or what.  Once that is determined, and we know where they are and how they got there, it’s a simple matter to help them draw a map to their independence.

I envision a system like the application for Federal Student Aid.  The application for public assistance would include resources from the government, private sector, non-profits as well as the applicants own resources.  Drawing on the available resources, a case manager would develop benchmarks to measure progress against goals, compliance with conditions set, and coordinate the various components required by the plan.  There would be a cap on the total amount of public assistance over a specific amount of time according to the plan. 

There are some that won’t ever be totally self sufficient and will always require "some" public assistance, but the goal in those cases to get them as close as we can based on their condition.  The other end is that there are some people that we simply can’t help.  Helping them just enables their self destructive acts.  It’s sad, but true.  In those cases we can only take away their children so that at least the next generation has a shot at self-sufficiency as an adult.

Originally posted at The Alaska Standard

Palin vetoes include some stimulus money: Government | adn.com

Palin’s written statement to the press said she was vetoing a total of $80 million. But that includes the $28.6 in energy stimulus money as well as $35 million that was really just a transfer between two accounts within the state budget.

What is it with that woman that prevents her from telling the truth?  Does she really think Alaskans are that stupid, or does she simply have zero respect for her constituents?  Is it only a coincidence that she makes this announcement so close to the first major holiday of the summer?  Think maybe she hopes that by Tuesday Alaskans will have forgotten her being a traitor to the State of Alaska?

The operating budget (government) continues to grow.  She cuts projects that would have provided much needed private sector jobs.  Then has the unmitigated gall and audacity to refuse to accept federal funds because of non-existent “strings”.

Alaskans, we need to ban together, write our representatives and tell them we want them to call themselves into special session and override the Governor’s cuts.  We need to let them know, and the Governor know, that we aren’t going to take a back seat to Palin’s political aspirations.  We need to let them know that we are fed up with Palin’s lies.  They need to know that we expect them to do their jobs and represent their constituents best interests and not allow that megalomaniac continue to ruin our state and our futures.  Even if she still refuses to accept the money, put her on record as thinking she knows better than 2/3 of the Legislature and the majority of Alaskans.

Find your representative here and write them today.  Don’t let her get away with this. Here is what I sent to my representatives:

I’m a constituent in your district, as my representative in Juneau I want you to work with other legislators to call yourselves into special session to override Palin’s vetoes.  To me it is unconscionable to turn down Federal Assistance and cut construction projects that would provide much needed private sector jobs.

Even if she still refuses to accept the federal money, she will be on record as putting her personal ambitions ahead of the citizens of Alaska.  Don’t let her get away with this.

Conservatives4Palin.com

Let me point out that the state currently has $6.6 billion in reserve due to the prudent fiscal management of Gov. Palin. She vetoed spending when the state’s coffers were overflowing with money — and the very reason they were flush with money was because of her ACES, which allowed Alaska to receive a fair return on their resources in times of high oil prices.

Imagine what shape Alaska would be in now without her prudent leadership. (But, of course, she wore an Arctic Cat jacket, so she’s evil and must be stopped!)

So much disinformation and ignorance in two short paragraphs.

1. Palin has nothing to do with the money in Alaska’s Budget Reserve. “Alaska voters created the Constitutional Budget Reserve in 1990, and lawmakers have drawn money from it several times to cover state spending. High oil prices have negated the need to dip into the fund since 2003.” Anchorage Daily News
2. Palin has increased the operating budget by 20% since taking office. She cut capital projects that would create private sector jobs.  Many of her vetoes were made to punish or reward legislators based on their fidelity, or lack of, to Her Highness. “At roughly $3.6 billion, Palin’s proposed operating budget would be an increase of more than $170 million over this year’s budget.” Anchorage Daily News Dec. 15 2006 .”When the smoke cleared after Gov. Sarah Palin’s big cuts to the capital budget in June, one survivor that stood out was a $630,000 appropriation to the Wasilla Sports Complex.” Anchorage Daily News October 7, 2007
3. It was the Alaska legislature that put aside money. “Lawmakers put an unprecedented $5 billion into two state rainy day accounts. The savings came from billions of surplus dollars the state expects to rake in as a result of high oil prices and last year’s oil tax hike.” Anchorage Daily News.
4. It was Palin who championed the $1200 for every man, woman and child in Alaska under the guise of “energy relief. “If we walk out of this special session and we spend a billion (dollars) on a Band-Aid without fixing the hole, the boat is going to fill up with water next year,” said Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage. “What are you going to do about the future so you aren’t going to spend a billion next year and the next year?”. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. How prophetic.
5. Palin was acting in an official capacity to start the Iron Dog race. Co-Governor Todd is a participant who just happens to be sponsored by Arctic Cat. Her appearing in an official capacity wearing clothing provided by her husbands sponsor amounted to free publicity for Arctic Cat. I understand ethics is a difficult concept for some people to understand, but you would think that someone like Palin who campaigned on restoring ethics to government would have at least a rudimentary grasp of the concept.

But there is more.  It seems contributers want to add to the deluge of ignorance.

DB said…Given Alaska’s fiscal situation, it is more than passing strange that the legislature continues to drag its feet on the gas pipelines.

No DB, the legislature is not dragging their feet. In fact, they moved too fast on Palin’s ill-conceived AGIA “process” that will cost Alaskans half a billion dollars and potentially treble damages, without TransCanada ever putting a shovel in the ground. Palin has refused to consider other options and has put Alaskans last by not moving to use our resources in state first.

Greg said…The dems are deliberately trying to force Alaska to become just like the rest of the country, state income tax, state sales tax, debt, the whole works. Dems can’t get enough of taking peoples money from them, and spending it on what they want.

No Greg. In Alaska it’s the Republicans that champion the sales tax. “House Speaker Pete Kott predicts a statewide sales tax proposal will emerge sometime this week in the state Legislature.  Kott, an Eagle River Republican, said such as plan has “a good possibility” of success as lawmakers seek new revenues to reduce the state’s budget deficit.” AlaskaLegislature.com

At the very least is it too much to ask that people who want to comment on Alaska put in a little effort to research what the are writing about?  It seems that these folks are acting more like members of a cult, refusing to listen to anyone that isn’t a fellow believer.  Yes, I know that the same can be said of many Obama supporters, and I would say the same to them.  Open your mind, heart and ears to the perspective of others.  You never know, you might learn something.

Alaska, Palin, Conservative, Propaganda

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Palin, GOP call for new Senate election: Former Sen. Ted Stevens | adn.com

“Alaskans deserve to have a fair election not tainted by some announcement that one of the candidates was convicted fairly of seven felonies, when in fact it wasn’t a fair conviction,” Palin said in a Thursday interview with the Daily News

They didn’t say he was innocent, they said he was treated unfairly. He’s getting off on a technicality basically. If his trial was under a Democratic administration, I could understand the feeling, and may be a little more sympathetic to their position. But this wasn’t a case of a politically motivated prosecution.

Our legal system makes mistakes all the time. Yet, there are no “do overs” for the victims of false accusations and erroneous convictions. People don’t get their lives back when accusations of abuse, rape or even fraud. People lose their jobs, families, home, business and the list goes on and on. As tragic as it is, Senator Stevens or even the people of Alaska can’t rewrite history.

Let’s also not forget that Senator Stevens pushed for and received an expedited trial schedule. Had he just accepted the regular trial schedule there is a chance the information from the informant would have come out during the trial and he may or may not have been convicted. So the Senator and his legal team have to accept a bit of responsibility for this sad state of affairs.

Senator Stevens you have served the State of Alaska well for many years. I think it’s time for you to step down with dignity. Don’t get caught up with the likes of Palin with her total lack of ethics or integrity. You have so much to offer with your experience and contacts, you can still get much done as Alaska’s “Ambassador Emeritus” to the world.

Alaska, Politics, Senator Stevens, Palin, GOP, Republicans

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Alaska Politics Blog : Palin on stimulus: ‘More dependence on Washington’ | adn.com

By Governor Sarah Palin

“Some question my decision to accept job-ready stimulus funds, while leaving on the table for discussion other funds that grow government”

For the first two years of her term, Governor Palin ‘grew’ the Alaska operating budget by 20%. Apparently she only became concerned about the growth of government once she was tapped by fellow maverick John McCain to be his running mate.

Shovel-ready projects are certifiable because they put people to work and grow Alaska’s private-sector economy.

So how does that fit with Governor Palin cutting capital projects all around the state in Alaskan communities in the last two budgets? 231 Million in 2007 and 268 million in 2008. So does that mean creating private sector jobs wasn’t important before, but it is now?

When stimulus money runs out in two years, who will pay for the expanded government programs, when Alaska currently has a budget shortfall of over a billion dollars?

Governments receive time limited funding all the time.  When the federal money runs out the program is dropped, cut back, or additional funding is requested.  This happens at every level of government, it’s nothing new.  Everyone knows what temporary means, or at least everyone not named Palin.  The idea is to provide additional funding in areas that are going to be most impacted by the economic crisis.  Things like additional funds for school lunch programs and extended unemployment benefits.  There aren’t any federal mandates that these additional programs or funding must continue beyond the two years of funding.

That billion dollar budget shortfall is one manufactured by Palin.  She submitted a budget based on oil prices being $74 per barrel, nearly double what they were at the time.  Nearly double what real oil industry experts predicted, and still well over the current $49 per barrel price today.  It’s not like she wasn’t warned either. Legislators were very skeptical about her basing the budget on such a ridiculously inflated oil price.  Representative Mike Hawker went on record writing to Governor Palin imploring her to re-evaluate her oil price predictions.  Read the letter here and you will see that he was spot on his predictions that Governor Palin ignored.  Just one example of her arrogance. Had she heeded that advice, there would be no budget shortfall.

Remember, these dollars aren’t “replacement dollars,” they are “additional dollars,” and obviously increase budgets.

Yes Governor we remember. We also remember that these are “temporary dollars” to face a “temporary crisis”. Once the temporary crisis has ended there will be no need for those temporary dollars. Is that simple and succinct enough for even you Governor?

I’m approaching federal funds and mandates with caution, but won’t stand in the way of organizations or communities applying to the feds for funding their own expansions.

Deftly done Governor, congratulations, or is it the brand managers who should be congratulated? She can claim that she rejected those hated stimulus dollars, but she won’t “stand in the way” of other Alaskans getting them. That way she’ll remain a conservative favorite all the while those she was elected to serve can still get what is their fair share of the stimulus package.

Some, enticed with as much Washington money as possible, assume this is free money. It is not. America is $11 trillion in debt.

Of course it’s not “free”. Those are taxpayer dollars, including Alaskans, including nearly 30% of PFD’s and that extra $1200 bribe the Governor handed out last year. We are going to be 11 trillion in debt regardless what Governor Palin takes or not. Clearly this is a statement meant for her lower 48 constituency, because it certainly doesn’t apply to those she has sworn to serve.

For example, Alaska’s communities would have to adopt building energy codes that compliment the most recent International Codes. These standards should be locally determined, not federally mandated.

This has been covered by Sean Cockerham at the Anchorage Daily News Politics Blog, so I’ll just quote from this post here

The code would only apply to communities with more than 2,500 people. Structures without plumbing or central heating would be exempt.

Anchorage already has an energy code that would meet the requirements of the bill and Fairbanks does for residential structures, according to Wielechowski’s office. Ketchikan is also planning to adopt a code. Structures built by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation meet the energy efficiency requirements as well.

Anchorage Republican Sen. McGuire said that “over time, any additional costs of building energy efficient homes are recouped, and exceeded, by energy savings.

The state would have eight years to adopt such codes.

Palin goes on to write

And, if we take additional unemployment compensation funds, Alaska would have to extend eligibility guidelines.

Yes, for the period of time that the federal funds cover. This has been done before during rough economic times. When the situation gets better, the need for extended benefits and funds are no longer required. In fact the legislature can write that into the law.

This federal involvement locks us into government dependency for longer periods.

Federal dependency? As if we are independent now? Should we reject any federal funds of any type so that we are independent? Like our own country? What dependency is she referring to and why is that bad?

Alaskans must read the fine print on these federal mandates, because certain allocations also require state-matching funds.

Governor, why not just tell us. Quote from the documents and tell us what mandates require matching funds and how much. Is this new money, for new programs, or is this increased funding for existing programs?

When Alaska was granted statehood, it was with the expectation that our independent, innovative spirit and rich resources would largely sustain us, rather than depending on federal government. Creating more dependence on Washington steers us away from Alaska’s magnificent potential and destiny, and that, to me, is a problem.

Well now, that’s quite inspiring, however one thing. How does accepting the stimulus funds make us more dependent? If that is truly how she feels, then why didn’t she reject ALL of the stimulus money? This is how we know that this is mainly just for show.

And now for the big finish:

My job is to help Alaskans count the cost for the long term, not sell our birthright for short-term gain. Alaskans must acknowledge that if we dig a fiscal hole, it will be filled by our families and businesses. Reliance on Washington is not our only option. We could exercise fiscal responsibility and prudent planning, develop our resources, energize Alaskans, and revitalize our spirit. We are up to the challenge. This is the best lesson we can teach our children.

Replace Alaskans with Americans above and you have her Presidential campaign stump speech.

You see this is simply about her philosophy. She doesn’t like the feds meddling in what she believes is none of their business. That includes education, health care, public assistance and now apparently safe and energy efficient buildings. She is using the economic crisis, and stimulus package to further her personal ambitions at the national level. I find this insulting and disgusting.

She offers nothing in the way of alternatives, but at least that is consistent in her two years as Governor. She ignored the plight of Alaskans in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta until public outrage forced her to act. Even now she has done little to help.  Mostly giving lip service and a quick photo op with demigods Prevo and Graham.  It was private Alaskan citizens that came to their aid. Now they, and other Alaska Bush Communities will be receiving heating oil from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez  How sad is that? The richest state in the union and our fellow citizens are reduced to taking hand outs from a foreign Socialist country.

Governor Palin has abandoned the people she has sworn to serve.  She is a disgrace to the office she abused.  This last act of arrogance and hubris should ensure that she will never win an election in Alaska again.  She better hope her national ambitions pans out, because she’s done in Alaska.

Palin, Alaska, Stimulus, Budget

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Alaska Politics Blog : Palin rejecting federal stimulus money | adn.com

The biggest single chunk of stimulus money that Palin is turning down is $160 million for education. There’s also $17 million in Department of Labor funds (vocational rehabilitation services, unemployment services, etc.), about $9 million for Health and Social Services and about $7 million for Public Safety. The full list and the specifics aren’t available from the governor’s budget department yet.

Public Education isn’t important. Job training isn’t important. Public Health isn’t important. Public Safety isn’t important.

We are facing a huge budget deficit because of Palin’s incompetence and she has the audacity to turn down money? She has increased the State’s operating budget by 20% over the last two years, and now she’s worried about state government growth?

Will this finally wake up Alaskans to the fact that Palin doesn’t give a damn about Alaska or Alaskans? Could she make it any clearer that she is motivated purely by promoting herself for 2012? It can’t be that she is simply this stupid. Her stupidity is certainly a contributing factor, but nobody can be this stupid. I’m certain her ‘brand managers’ have advised her to take this position to further her national reputation.

She is an idiot and traitor to Alaska. She has chosen her personal ambition over the people she was sworn to serve. As if her lies aren’t bad enough. As if her abuse of her office isn’t bad enough. As if giving away 500 Million dollars to a foreign company for doing what Denali Pipeline is doing at their own cost wasn’t bad enough. As if squandering money and mismanaging energy costs wasn’t bad enough. As if her taking Per Diem illegally wasn’t enough. Why is she still in office? Will our legislators finally grow a pair and put her in her place? Namely out of office and hopefully out of Alaska.

Any Alaskan that supports Palin on this should pack their bags and leave with her. I understand that Texas has a real love for idiots in office and high tolerance for those ignorant fools that support them.

Palin, Alaska, Stimulus, Traitor, Impeachment

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No solutions yet for Emmonak economy | APRN

The Palin administration could offer no solution today for the economic stress in the village of Emmonak, but says it’s still working on it. After visiting the community, state officials say it does not qualify for either a disaster declaration or an Economic Emergency declaration. All villagers are left with is a stepped-up effort to sign them up with existing programs.

The Governor sends a bunch of bureaucrats to Emmonak and the best they can come up with is to sign them up for existing programs? Why didn’t the Governor just call on the Alaska Guard to haul out fuel oil and any food stuffs that could be shipped. The Governor needs to govern and quit posturing for her lower 48 groupies.

As Alaskans we can talk about how to avoid this in the future, what to do about it when it does happen again, who’s at fault and who profits. But right now,let’s do the right thing and just get some help to them now. Come on Palin, show us all that executive management experience you have. Start demonstrating that you have what it takes to be an executive, take command of this situation, show us your leadership and dedication to serving and protecting Alaskans first and foremost.

We’re watching and waiting.

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