Bridge-to-Nowhere Hack gets tax AWARD (Kenai, Wasilla: apartments, homes, living in)

[icarian]

Orr,
Tough crowd, eh? It is Federal dollars (and Alaska DOES get its "fair" share). Very few in D.C. are different from Young, et al (pick a senator or rep at the national level). Luckily it is Federal and you do have a say...keep an eye on earmarks and make sure your voice is heard by your congressional delegation (very few of us actually take the time to write in).

As for the regular contributors here, I don't think your discussion is going to get any traction in this forum...but I'm sure you've already figured that one out. Good luck with your delegation.

[babyorr9]

Originally Posted by icarian

Orr,
Tough crowd, eh? It is Federal dollars (and Alaska DOES get its "fair" share). Very few in D.C. are different from Young, et al (pick a senator or rep at the national level). Luckily it is Federal and you do have a say...keep an eye on earmarks and make sure your voice is heard by your congressional delegation (very few of us actually take the time to write in).

As for the regular contributors here, I don't think your discussion is going to get any traction in this forum...but I'm sure you've already figured that one out. Good luck with your delegation.

Thank you. Yes, its a tough crowd. I'm only singling Young because his earmarks are particularly egregious. I have been VERY vocal with my delegates. My representative laughs everytime they see me coming. They have been particularly responsive though, which I appreciate.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by babyorr9

I don't care whether you care or not. Young will be reigned in whether you like it or not. Palin squirmed over the bridge, and with more visibility I dare say fewer pork dollars will come your way. You guys can do whatever you want; don't spend my dollars or my grandkids.

Typical arrogant lower-48er. Contrary to your ignorant belief, Rep. Don Young will be reelected and there is not a single thing you can do about it. So why don't you demonstrate your hypocritical stupidity on some other forum? I'm sure others will be equally impressed by your audacity, and care just as much for your uninformed opinion as we do here.

[icarian]

Glitch,

Why the rant? The pork is added in committees. Yes, Young can definitely be reelected locally...but the "pork" for him (and many others, not just those in the 49th State) comes from deals in committee. He may very well be "reigned" in. Or not. No need to talk that way (TERRIBLE stereotype) about the lower 48 when we are talking about SHARED tax burden/dollars.

[MissingAll4Seasons]

I think we can all agree that taxation and the decisions about how much of our tax dollars get spent on what projects and subsidies are pretty much screwed up. It really doesn't matter where you live, or where you came from before you moved there. Different states have different needs based on resources and population... so we're never really going to be able to agree because our unique perspectives on things can be radically different. That's why federal taxation and regulations were *originally* designed by our founding fathers to be light and non-invasive with most of the power to legislate held by the state and local government bodies. Unfortunately, we (all of us collectively through the years since then) have allowed the federal government, and even our local governments, to have a little too much power over our daily lives and liberties.

As for whether you're an Alaskan, a Hawaiian, a lower-48er or a "citizen of the world", we all have the right to our opinions and to speak freely about them.... at least here in the US where that right is guaranteed by the First Amendment, and in most international countries by under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. We equally have the right not agree with each other, too However, the "us vs. them" mentality does keep us from doing things and demanding changes that would benefit all of us to varying degrees. All of us are members of the larger human community and the even larger terrestrial community... it's about time that we all remember that and start working together and being a little a less intolerant of each other.

[babyorr9]

Originally Posted by MissingAll4Seasons

I think we can all agree that taxation and the decisions about how much of our tax dollars get spent on what projects and subsidies are pretty much screwed up. It really doesn't matter where you live, or where you came from before you moved there. Different states have different needs based on resources and population... so we're never really going to be able to agree because our unique perspectives on things can be radically different. That's why federal taxation and regulations were *originally* designed by our founding fathers to be light and non-invasive with most of the power to legislate held by the state and local government bodies. Unfortunately, we (all of us collectively through the years since then) have allowed the federal government, and even our local governments, to have a little too much power over our daily lives and liberties.

As for whether you're an Alaskan, a Hawaiian, a lower-48er or a "citizen of the world", we all have the right to our opinions and to speak freely about them.... at least here in the US where that right is guaranteed by the First Amendment, and in most international countries by under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. We equally have the right not agree with each other, too However, the "us vs. them" mentality does keep us from doing things and demanding changes that would benefit all of us to varying degrees. All of us are members of the larger human community and the even larger terrestrial community... it's about time that we all remember that and start working together and being a little a less intolerant of each other.

Great post, as was the response above from Icarian. I have said as much before; no disrespect is meant to anyone from the great state of Alaska. It is natural to defend your home, especially against those "arrogant lower 48ers". I started this thread because I thought there would be those, even in Alaska, who would oppose the outrageous pork of Don Young. I suppose calling out a representative is fighting words in the north lands. Indeed, Don Young is likely entrenched for as long as he wishes to be there. However, scrutiny of wasteful earmarks ended the Gravina Island bridge, as media attention is want to do. Which is all I want anyway. Obviously, Senator Byrd and West Virginia are also completely off the chart. Now, if we can just end this damn war...

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by MissingAll4Seasons

I think we can all agree that taxation and the decisions about how much of our tax dollars get spent on what projects and subsidies are pretty much screwed up. It really doesn't matter where you live, or where you came from before you moved there. Different states have different needs based on resources and population... so we're never really going to be able to agree because our unique perspectives on things can be radically different. That's why federal taxation and regulations were *originally* designed by our founding fathers to be light and non-invasive with most of the power to legislate held by the state and local government bodies. Unfortunately, we (all of us collectively through the years since then) have allowed the federal government, and even our local governments, to have a little too much power over our daily lives and liberties.

As for whether you're an Alaskan, a Hawaiian, a lower-48er or a "citizen of the world", we all have the right to our opinions and to speak freely about them.... at least here in the US where that right is guaranteed by the First Amendment, and in most international countries by under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. We equally have the right not agree with each other, too However, the "us vs. them" mentality does keep us from doing things and demanding changes that would benefit all of us to varying degrees. All of us are members of the larger human community and the even larger terrestrial community... it's about time that we all remember that and start working together and being a little a less intolerant of each other.

I have zero tolerance for arrogant hypocrites who tell people in other states what they should or shouldn't do, or who should or shouldn't represent them, when they haven't even bothered cleaning up the mess in their own state. That takes an extraordinary amount of nerve and arrogance. Too make matters worse, they don't even have their facts straight.

We've had more than enough garbage from lower-48 morons who know nothing about Alaska telling us how to manage our state, from the environment to ANWR. If they want to have an opinion, let them move to Alaska first, otherwise they have nothing to say that is worth hearing.

The absolute last thing Alaskans needs to do is listen to the screwed up lower-48ers. They've already screwed up their state, now they want to screw up Alaska. If you want to hold hands and sing Kumbaya, go for it, but you will not find the vast majority of Alaskans joining you. Alaskans did not move to Alaska to make it part of the lower-48, just the opposite.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by babyorr9

...I started this thread because I thought there would be those, even in Alaska, who would oppose the outrageous pork of Don Young...

I, for one, like Don Young. He talks straight and doesn’t take any crap from the liberals. Pork is the currency in DC for everyone, and until those rules change, he might as well grab as much for us as anyone else. You’re probably just jealous because he’s so good at it!

I respect anyone who speaks their mind, even if I don’t necessarily agree with what they are saying. I can’t stand the mealy-mouthed, politically-correct-speaking politicians who never come out and tell us what they really think. In fact, it seems as if the only ones in the Congress and the Senate who are actively pointing out (in no uncertain terms) how currently screwed up our national energy policy is, are the representatives from Alaska – Young, Stevens, and to some extent Murkowski (though she still tries to be polite and nice about it).

I also like Cheney and Rumsfeld for the same reasons. Again, not that I necessarily agree with everything they say, but they are willing to defend themselves and get in your face if you **** them off. I remember deriving countless of hours of entertainment watching news briefings where Rumsfeld would tell some disingenuous, double–speaking reporter to stuff it and go back to momma if he couldn’t take what he was hearing.

People in DC who honestly speak their minds are few and far between.

[babyorr9]

Originally Posted by Glitch

I have zero tolerance for arrogant hypocrites who tell people in other states what they should or shouldn't do, or who should or shouldn't represent them, when they haven't even bothered cleaning up the mess in their own state. That takes an extraordinary amount of nerve and arrogance. Too make matters worse, they don't even have their facts straight.

We've had more than enough garbage from lower-48 morons who know nothing about Alaska telling us how to manage our state, from the environment to ANWR. If they want to have an opinion, let them move to Alaska first, otherwise they have nothing to say that is worth hearing.

The absolute last thing Alaskans needs to do is listen to the screwed up lower-48ers. They've already screwed up their state, now they want to screw up Alaska. If you want to hold hands and sing Kumbaya, go for it, but you will not find the vast majority of Alaskans joining you. Alaskans did not move to Alaska to make it part of the lower-48, just the opposite.

Excellent post, even though I'm the supposed arrogant hypocrite who is in question. The issue at question wasn't, and isn't, about telling Alaskans how to run their state. I am a supporter of states rights in the most ardent manner. At question is FEDERAL dollars, spent on pork projects in Alaska, of which Alaskans contribute little to (compared to benefits). Now, if the bridge was so important, Alaskans should pay to help the fine people of Ketchikan from their own paychecks. And this goes for any state. Any pork project in North Carolina is an embarassment in kind.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Glitch

I have zero tolerance for arrogant hypocrites who tell people in other states what they should or shouldn't do, or who should or shouldn't represent them, when they haven't even bothered cleaning up the mess in their own state. That takes an extraordinary amount of nerve and arrogance. Too make matters worse, they don't even have their facts straight.

We've had more than enough garbage from lower-48 morons who know nothing about Alaska telling us how to manage our state, from the environment to ANWR. If they want to have an opinion, let them move to Alaska first, otherwise they have nothing to say that is worth hearing.

The absolute last thing Alaskans needs to do is listen to the screwed up lower-48ers. They've already screwed up their state, now they want to screw up Alaska. If you want to hold hands and sing Kumbaya, go for it, but you will not find the vast majority of Alaskans joining you. Alaskans did not move to Alaska to make it part of the lower-48, just the opposite.

This is about federal tax dollars not what the state should do internally. Federal tax dollars are everyone's business in the U.S. who pays taxes. The pork spending in Congress needs to stop.