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I didn't want to get into how Alaska was divided up by the feds, because I feared it would just add to their confusion, but you are right. The vast majority of the federal funds that is spent in Alaska goes to federal entities in Alaska, and only a very small percentage goes to the state or the people.
This is an extremely good point. If the majority of federal dollars is diverted to park lands or fed lands, show this. My main point of contention was always the appropriation of money in committee for Gravina.
I know precisely what it means, which is why I used the terms. Perhaps your confusion arises from your lack of understanding.
You have misstated my argument and my position, deliberately I suspect. I said that lower-48ers have no say in how Alaskans manage Alaska, any more than Alaskans have a say in how Californians manage California. One has to be rather arrogant to presume to tell others how to manage their state when they don't even live in the state.
Alaska subsidizes the federal projects in other states, but suddenly it becomes a bad thing for Alaska to be treated the same as any other state? That comes across as rather hypocritical. If the lower-48 states receive federal funding for their state infrastructure, then why should Alaska be singled out and denied those very same federal funds?
Now if you want to cut ALL federal funding to all 50 states, I would support such a move. For those who have no problem receiving federal funds for their own state, but don't think Alaska should receive any federal funding, I will continue to point out their obvious hypocrisy.
Thankfully, Alaska has excellent senior representation in Congress with Rep. Don Young and Sen. Stevens. They make certain that Alaska receives equal treatment and will ensure the federal dollars continues to flow into Alaska just like the representatives of every other state is doing for their state.
Exactly! Cut, or extremely limit ALL federal funding. The only reason my op came across as singling out Alaska, is because I came to THIS subforum to get your input. Again, my feelings of Young aside, I do not intend to tell Alaskans what to do. You have stated before that you don't care. And I don't blame you. However, it should be noted, and unless you can show figures otherwise, that Alaskans receive $1 in pork for every $16 dollar contributed, well below the national average. Now, if you're able to pay for it through higher taxes or more slowly through a better state economy, I have no problem.
Ok, I think I see where the discrepancy is... I believe that at an INDIVIDUAL level we are all responsible and accountable because we are the same species living on the same planet. BUT I absolutely do not, in any way shape or form, believe that an oppressive or intrusive government is required (or even capable) of taking care of us from cradle to grave. I believe that we individually should be responsible for taking care of our selves and our loved ones, our sick or disabled, and our communities (whether that community is local, state, national or global) and being accountable for our actions to those same entities (to include making reparations for exploitation)... we, as individuals, not through or by a government (or religious) intervention or dictate. The government's purpose should only be to provide a loose framework of communication protocols, a high-level code of agreement and a venue for conflict resolution... which I think we both agree is not what our governments are doing for us anymore (if they ever did). Whether the position is Republican or Democrat, Conservative or Liberal, Capitalist or Socialist, or something in the middle or completely off the map... the current government (at all levels) is not functioning in the best interests of the people and is being overly proscriptive and invasive... it's just how, to whom and in what areas that invasion occurs that determines the position. The government is always going to tax us, and always going to spend our money on things other than directly on us.
Great post. I don't think Glitch understands that Federal subsidization of something that will underperform is akin to socialism. Reps to you.
Exactly! Cut, or extremely limit ALL federal funding. The only reason my op came across as singling out Alaska, is because I came to THIS subforum to get your input. Again, my feelings of Young aside, I do not intend to tell Alaskans what to do. You have stated before that you don't care. And I don't blame you. However, it should be noted, and unless you can show figures otherwise, that Alaskans receive $1 in pork for every $16 dollar contributed, well below the national average. Now, if you're able to pay for it through higher taxes or more slowly through a better state economy, I have no problem.
As I have pointed out repeatedly, your information is not correct. Your $16 figure includes the federal funding of all the military bases and other federal entities in Alaska, but obviously accuracy is not a concern for you. Apparently any fantasy will do as long as it serves your agenda.
Ok, I think I see where the discrepancy is... I believe that at an INDIVIDUAL level we are all responsible and accountable because we are the same species living on the same planet. BUT I absolutely do not, in any way shape or form, believe that an oppressive or intrusive government is required (or even capable) of taking care of us from cradle to grave. I believe that we individually should be responsible for taking care of our selves and our loved ones, our sick or disabled, and our communities (whether that community is local, state, national or global) and being accountable for our actions to those same entities (to include making reparations for exploitation)... we, as individuals, not through or by a government (or religious) intervention or dictate. The government's purpose should only be to provide a loose framework of communication protocols, a high-level code of agreement and a venue for conflict resolution... which I think we both agree is not what our governments are doing for us anymore (if they ever did). Whether the position is Republican or Democrat, Conservative or Liberal, Capitalist or Socialist, or something in the middle or completely off the map... the current government (at all levels) is not functioning in the best interests of the people and is being overly proscriptive and invasive... it's just how, to whom and in what areas that invasion occurs that determines the position. The government is always going to tax us, and always going to spend our money on things other than directly on us.
This is where you and I differ. I believe in personal responsibility, not socialist collectivism. If you make a choice, then you and you alone are responsible for the consequences of that choice, good or bad. The mentality that is it acceptable to pass the buck because "we are all responsible and accountable" for each other's actions is an abhorrent concept to me and smacks of immaturity.
We need to take personal responsibility for our choices and not burden others with the consequences of our poor choices.
This is where you and I differ. I believe in personal responsibility, not socialist collectivism. If you make a choice, then you and you alone are responsible for the consequences of that choice, good or bad. The mentality that is it acceptable to pass the buck because "we are all responsible and accountable" for each other's actions is an abhorrent concept to me and smacks of immaturity.
We need to take personal responsibility for our choices and not burden others with the consequences of our poor choices.
This post is great, but retarded in context with your earlier statements. I brought up Don Young's irresponsible pork, and you defended him, as if I were attacking you personally. How about some personal responsibility for wasteful spending projects, Glitch?
This post is great, but retarded in context with your earlier statements. I brought up Don Young's irresponsible pork, and you defended him, as if I were attacking you personally. How about some personal responsibility for wasteful spending projects, Glitch?
You personally insulted every Alaskan, several times then deliberately lie pretending you didn't mean any disrespect, which is precisely what you intended when you began this thread. Rep. Young has done very well for the state of Alaska, and will continue to do so. Just because you have your facts wrong and know nothing about Alaska or the subject matter you brought up doesn't make Rep. Young irresponsible. Rather it makes you grossly uninformed, like the vast majority of lower-48ers.
You personally insulted every Alaskan, several times then deliberately lie pretending you didn't mean any disrespect, which is precisely what you intended when you began this thread. Rep. Young has done very well for the state of Alaska, and will continue to do so. Just because you have your facts wrong and know nothing about Alaska or the subject matter you brought up doesn't make Rep. Young irresponsible. Rather it makes you grossly uninformed, like the vast majority of lower-48ers.
That still doesn't answer my question. Would you be willing to reign in irresponsible pork? If you aren't, how is that any different than having the fed, and those dastardly "Lower-48ers", subsidize your projects? How is that in turn any different than the evil socialism (which I agree with you on) you railed about earlier? America as a whole must cease to print more money, and rack up more debt. This includes NC and AK, as well as the other 48 states. Do you agree that each state should pay for their projects, or suckle at the federal teet?
The Club For Growth - http://www.clubforgrowth.org (http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2008/06/don_youngs_ateam.php - broken link)
Quote:
More importantly, and much more damning, is that when interns answer the phone, they must learn who the members are of the "A-Team." According to the guide, "these people can talk to whomever they want, normally Mike or Sara. Tell them who it is and transfer over unless they say otherwise. I recommend looking up who they are."
So who are they? Lobbyists. Number one on the list is Rick Alcade, the lobbyist tied to the Coconut Road scandal that has gotten Young in trouble with the Feds. Lobbyists on the A-Team include...
Check it out. Young's office is trying to spin this...Here's the actual pdf...
http://www.clubforgrowth.org/media/uploads/Young-Intern-Survival-Guide.pdf (broken link)
This is where you and I differ. I believe in personal responsibility, not socialist collectivism. If you make a choice, then you and you alone are responsible for the consequences of that choice, good or bad. The mentality that is it acceptable to pass the buck because "we are all responsible and accountable" for each other's actions is an abhorrent concept to me and smacks of immaturity.
We need to take personal responsibility for our choices and not burden others with the consequences of our poor choices.
We actually agree on this point... each of us are (should be) personally responsible and accountable for our own actions and to be consciously proactive, through due diligence, to ensure that our actions do not intentionally or accidentally have negative consequences on ourselves or others.
I think the conflict that is occuring is that I also extend this ethic to include other species than just humans, accept the responsibility to inform others that their actions are causing me negative consequences (and hopefully work to solve them), and to voluntarily make reasonable amends to parties that my actions may have caused negative consequences upon. I cannot, in good conscience, accept the belief and position that it is perfectly ok to deprive, deplete, damage or exploit something or someone for my own personal gain and enjoyment without regard for the long-term affects of my decisions and actions on others... the world simply does not begin and end at my doorstep.
This extended philosophy may or may not align with your position. It's entirely possible that we are having a semantic argument about something we actually agree on due to different communication styles.
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Intern survival guide
