Thought I'd pass this along to the Alaska Group -- USA Today OpEd

[LdyGuique]

Alaska thanks you

By Nick Jans
As you stand at the gas pump this summer, think of Alaska. No, not as a fantasy to escape the heat or the price of your latest fill-up. Instead, consider that each spin of the pump's meter means money slurping north, straight from your wallet.

If you live in Texas, Georgia, Florida or New Jersey, that steady siphon is a certainty — your gas tax dollars are funding a procession of lavish road and bridge projects thousands of miles away, including a pile of boondoggles that we Alaskans don't need, and that many of us don't want.

It's a fact: For every dollar we Alaskans pay in at-the-pump gas taxes, we get $6.60 back, thanks to you generous, unwitting donors.

According to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a non-partisan watchdog group in Washington, that breaks down to $1,150 for every Alaskan in "earmark" funding for in-state projects alone, 25 times what the average American garners for his or her home state.

How could this be? Alaska is so rich that residents not only pay no state income tax, but we get individual yearly checks as our share of the oil wealth. Why should your gas taxes, which are supposed to fill potholes in your local interstate or repair your decaying bridges, end up so far from home?

Continued . . .

[snowbear]

1. Wow... interesting stuff..

Definitely a lot of stuff that even Alaskans ourselves probablu aren't even aware of :o ... I know I learned a couple things I didn't know.

Thanks for sharing the article LdyGuique ~ :)

[Emperor Bob]

2. You're surprised by this?

This is exactly what politicians are paid to do. I'm not talking about the peanuts they receive in their paycheck, I'm talking about the millions of dollars that get them elected. Their success is measured by how well they deliver the goods to their financial supporters. The only difference between one politician and another is which set of financial supporters get the benefits of their votes.

You may like the organizations and fat cats better that support the democratic party candidates, but don't mistake that for being fundamentally different than the organizations and fat cats that support the republican party candidates. In neither case are the citizens and voters truly represented.

[cleofus1]

3. bob bob bob

why do i keep hearing as a basic theme to your posts that there is no difference between the parties...as democrats we need to support our elected representatives...

[Emperor Bob]

4. Support who you want

Support whomever you choose. But if you really want to be progressive you'll look much deeper than individual candidates to make any significant changes. Our system doesn't produce or select the best candidates for office. In fact, in my opinion, the best candidates don't run because the don't want to be whores to fat cats and special interests. As long as we remain focused on insignificant and cosmetic differences between candidates, we will never achieve the fundamental changes that are necessary.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Emperor Bob]

6. non-partisan

I don't believe in political parties frankly. Sometimes I vote for candidates that happen to Democrats. I don't vote for Democrats, I vote for candidates. There aren't any candidates that I support right now.

I'm here because it looked like a good place to exchange views with other Alaskans about the Alaskan politics. Do you feel threatened by someone that isn't a part of your cozy exclusive club? I thought I had been behaving respectfully, and following the rules as I understood them. My apologies if I somehow have offended you or broken even the spirit of the rules here.

[cleofus1]

7. if you are not ashamed of who you voted for

please note who you have voted for....

this is democratic underground...for people who vote for and support
democrats...

[Emperor Bob]

8. No

I'm not going to submit myself to your litmus test for participating in this forum. If that is a requirement then it should be in the registration form.

[cleofus1]

9. well you know what they say in wasilla

if you can't stand the heat...get out of the kitchen...

and by the way you could at least thank me for helping you get your
post count up...

and i do not single you out...i will jump feet first in anyone's garden who wants to bash the democratic party or democratic candidates...go figure...

[Emperor Bob]

10. Thank you?

It's not a matter of standing the heat, I'm just not going to allow you or anyone else to try and bully me into saying what candidates I do or don't support.

I'm not trying to get my post count up. If that is what I wanted to do I could go back and drudge up a bunch of old topics to resurrect. Why are my motives being so scrutinized here?

I haven't bashed the democratic party or candidates. I have bashed politicians in general, and the election process in particular. What I don't understand is how so called 'progressive thinkers' don't seem to have any room for any opinions that don't fit their very narrow views.

[cleofus1]

11. your own words

"You may like the organizations and fat cats better that support the democratic party candidates, but don't mistake that for being fundamentally different than the organizations and fat cats that support the republican party candidates."

i call that bashing...

[Blue_In_AK]

12. Play nice, boys............ n/t

[cleofus1]

13. sorry...

i am much gentler in person...O8)

[Blue_In_AK]

14. I suspected as much.... :-)