Does anyone worry... (Anchorage, Juneau and, Fairbanks: condo, house, living in)

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by cobolt

They can disguise the reasons for the capital move all they want: more visiblity, economic feasiblity, inaccessability...blah blah. Too bad. They knew the deal when they signed on for the job. You don't cry foul midstream. This is about power. I think it's good that the financial center of the state is in S Central, the academic center in Fairbanks, and the legislature in SE. Someone described it as the tripod effect. Once you start sucking up those bedrocks into one sinkhole, trouble starts.

In some respects this is about power. Juneau has it and wants to keep it, while the majority in the rest of the state want the capital moved to where it is more accessible by the majority of the population.

Federal law prohibits state capitals from being established on islands (except for Hawaii obviously), which is why the capital was moved from Sitka to Juneau initially. However, because there is no road access to Juneau it is effectively an "island." So while the Juneau capital may adhere to the letter of the law, it violates the intended spirit of the law. That is why the vast majority of Alaskans want the capital moved from Juneau. It has nothing to do with what the politicians want.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by Glitch

In some respects this is about power. Juneau has it and wants to keep it, while the majority in the rest of the state want the capital moved to where it is more accessible by the majority of the population.

Federal law prohibits state capitals from being established on islands (except for Hawaii obviously), which is why the capital was moved from Sitka to Juneau initially. However, because there is no road access to Juneau it is effectively an "island." So while the Juneau capital may adhere to the letter of the law, it violates the intended spirit of the law. That is why the vast majority of Alaskans want the capital moved from Juneau. It has nothing to do with what the politicians want.

That has got to be one of the strangest twists on the topic of a capital move that I've ever heard.

The move issue is about how to concentrate political power in the Anchorage area. No more, and no less. It would not benefit anyone else in the state, and would be a net negative for most of us.

The concept that a capital has to be connected to the road system is hilarious when viewed from most of Alaska. What does anyone in Sand Point, Kotzebue, Ketchikan, or Kaktovik care whether there is a road to the capital or not? We have to fly to the capital, why is it bad if the people in Anchorage also have to fly? It's a great equalizer!

The initial capital move vote that did succeed happened before we had a viable telecommunications system in Alaska. People voted to move the capital to a place where we could reach them, one way or another. At that time there no phones in most homes, and few long distance lines to most cities. It was impossible to communicate with the Legislature in Juneau. But it wasn't the lack of a road system that needed to be corrected! And of course in the 1970's we built a modern telecommunications system in Alaska and since then have not had a problem with Juneau. Which is why since then all statewide votes have been against moving the capital.

Now we merely have a problem with the concept of putting all of the power into Anchorage and of course that of selling it to the Oil Industry.

Incidentally, the move to Juneau from Sitka (which happened in 1900 by edict of the US Congress) was for very similar reasons. Alaska lacked almost any form of civil governance, and Sitka (particularly Sheldon Jackson et al) represented the status quo, while all the movers and shakers (read that as Goldrushers and Outsiders) wanted change. If a statewide election had been held, the Legislature today would be meeting in Sitka.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Glitch

In some respects this is about power. Juneau has it and wants to keep it, while the majority in the rest of the state want the capital moved to where it is more accessible by the majority of the population.

Federal law prohibits state capitals from being established on islands (except for Hawaii obviously), which is why the capital was moved from Sitka to Juneau initially. However, because there is no road access to Juneau it is effectively an "island." So while the Juneau capital may adhere to the letter of the law, it violates the intended spirit of the law. That is why the vast majority of Alaskans want the capital moved from Juneau. It has nothing to do with what the politicians want.

Wrong. It has everything to do with what the politicians want. The vast majority of the people outside of Anchorage want the capital to either stay in Juneau, or rotate between Juneau and various other "bush" towns. I've never met someone who wanted a capital move that wasn't from Anchorage.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Floyd_Davidson

The move issue is about how to concentrate political power in the Anchorage area. No more, and no less. It would not benefit anyone else in the state, and would be a net negative for most of us.

The concept that a capital has to be connected to the road system is hilarious when viewed from most of Alaska. What does anyone in Sand Point, Kotzebue, Ketchikan, or Kaktovik care whether there is a road to the capital or not? We have to fly to the capital, why is it bad if the people in Anchorage also have to fly? It's a great equalizer!

You couldn't be more misinformed. Anchorage wasn't even in the list of capital choices when the people voted to move the capital. The purpose of the capital move was to give more people access to their representatives, and whether you like it or not, the vast majority of Alaskan's do live on the road system.

Now if you truly enjoy corrupt politicians, then I can certainly understand your desire to keep the capital in Juneau. Fortunately, the majority of Alaskans don't and want the capital moved.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Glitch

Now if you truly enjoy corrupt politicians, then I can certainly understand your desire to keep the capital in Juneau. Fortunately, the majority of Alaskans don't and want the capital moved.

Care to quantify that little claim?

[cobolt]

I just don't understand how moving the legislature to Wasilla or wherever is perceived the best location for "accessibility" is going to make a difference. How do people not have access to their Representatives now? Isn't email the preferred mode of communication these days? Telephone? Snail mail? I mean, how many of these people are really going to take the time out to seek out a Representative in person? How does location diminish corruption? I think it's a move to gather power....not centralize it via location for the people, but rather for the politicians.

I don't think this is about the people for which the elected officials are supposed to represent. I think it's more about their inconvenience and power.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

Wrong. It has everything to do with what the politicians want. The vast majority of the people outside of Anchorage want the capital to either stay in Juneau, or rotate between Juneau and various other "bush" towns. I've never met someone who wanted a capital move that wasn't from Anchorage.

Well you have now, I'm not from Anchorage.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by cobolt

I just don't understand how moving the legislature to Wasilla or wherever is perceived the best location for "accessibility" is going to make a difference. How do people not have access to their Representatives now? Isn't email the preferred mode of communication these days? Telephone? Snail mail? I mean, how many of these people are really going to take the time out to seek out a Representative in person? How does location diminish corruption? I think it's a move to gather power....not centralize it via location for the people, but rather for the politicians.

I don't think this is about the people for which the elected officials are supposed to represent. I think it's more about their inconvenience and power.

I'll tell you how it will make a difference:

• More Alaskans will have access to their representatives;
• We won't be forced to hire incompetent state employees because of the lack of the population pool to select from;
• Closer scrutiny of our representatives will reduce their temptation to commit crimes; and
• Political decisions will be made on what is best for the state, not what is best for Juneau.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Glitch

Well you have now, I'm not from Anchorage.

Of course you are. Wasilla is anchorage, didn't you know that?
In any case, you have the attitude of a d'anchoragite- me me me me.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

Of course you are. Wasilla is anchorage, didn't you know that?
In any case, you have the attitude of a d'anchoragite- me me me me.

According to you everything that isn't Juneau is Anchorage. You live in a very small deluded world indeed.