IS the "lower 48" ready for TAXES 2 1/2 times the National Average, Spending over Double?! - Welcome Palin Economics

[brokerdave]

Originally Posted by walidm

IS the "lower 48" ready for TAXES 2 1/2 times the National Average, Spending over Double?! - Welcome to Palin Economics, the reality in Alaska

"Of the 50 states, Alaska ranks No. 1 in taxes per resident and No. 1 in spending per resident. Its tax burden per resident is 2 1/2 times the national average; its spending, more than double. The trick is that Alaska's government spends money on its own citizens and taxes the rest of us to pay for it."
Source

"[A]ccording to the Tax Foundation, Alaska ranked 18th in federal taxes paid per resident ($5,434) but first in federal spending received per resident ($13,950). Its ratio of federal spending received to federal taxes paid ranks third among the 50 states, and in the absolute amount it receives from Washington over and above the amount it sends to Washington, Alaska ranks No. 1."
Source

"Under the state constitution, the governor of Alaska has unusually strong powers to shape the state budget."

Governor Palin has said she vetoed "nearly $500 million" in state spending during her two years as governor. "This amounts to less than 2% of the proposed budget."[1]

Fiscal Conservative? hmm......

First, I have provided a couple sources, not the same liberal one side article a couple of times which obviously wasn't even researched.

I love it when people have no experience directly with Alaska or the understanding of a tax base.

Alaska is expensive. When you have a full legislature and a small population to support it, taxes are high. The state has to fund clearing roads most of the year. They need special equipment to clear and to travel in dangerous weather. The upkeep of that equipment. Expensive fuel costs because supplies; food, fuel, clothing, school supplies etc. everything is flown in.

Alaska has no State Income Tax like Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. To finance state operations, Alaska depends primarily on petroleum revenues. Some of its cities and other local jurisdictions, however, do collect sales tax revenue. Federal funding accounted for 16% of the state’s total revenue! SOURCE

If you don't know what it is like to even live in a snow state where the biggest decision is budgeting for the cost of winter, then you have no right to make an opinion on Alaska's spending.

Next, how is it Palin's fault? She didn’t just start Alaska 2 years ago from nothing. Do you understand the purpose of veto? That means the legislature wanted $500 million more for spending and she said NO. If you add those numbers up, she has saved Alaska $740 Million.

"In June 2007, Palin signed into law a $6.6 billion operating budget—the largest in Alaska's history.[73] At the same time, she used her veto power to make the second-largest cuts of the construction budget in state history. The $237 million in cuts represented over 300 local projects, and reduced the construction budget to nearly $1.6 billion.[74]"

In case you didn't know, she had to "fix" a lot of the overspending from the last governor. This was part of it also:
"Palin followed through on a campaign promise to sell the Westwind II jet purchased by the Murkowski administration for $2.7 million in 2005 on a state government credit account against the wishes of the Legislature. In August 2007, the jet was listed on eBay, but the sale fell through and the plane was later sold for $2.1 million through a private brokerage firm.[75]
Palin only lives in Juneau during the Legislative session and lives in Wasilla and works out of offices in Anchorage the rest of the year. She does not use the Governor's private chef, whom Palin transferred to the Lounge of the State Legislature.[76] Palin has instead charged the state a per diem[77] for the 312 nights she has spent at home ($16,951 in total allowances) and for her family's travel expenses ($43,490, an additional $93,000 for Palin herself), mostly between Juneau and Wasilla."
SOURCE

What we do know. Palin has saved Alaska almost $1 billion dallors. She is an motivated woman who goes after people taking kick-backs and bribes.

Can you tell me Obama has done besides his $97 million in earmarks?

Does everyone understand what earmarks are?
Typically earmarks are for improvements of a property. For example, a builder owns 10 acres around the freeway/express way. He wants to develop the area but his land could be worth 4X that if there was an exit ramp there. He calls his local congressman or senator and asks for an exit ramp at the location. The congressman or senator says, fly me here or there and I will fund it (a favor is done). The builder spends $20,000+ sending a private jet to the congressman or senator and he is flown to wherever he wants. That is how Obama does business. McCain has never done that once.
McCain and Palin want to put an end to this.
If all this wasn't enough Obama has yet to do anything for anyone besides himself. McCain has the experience to administrate our government. Palin has the experience to administrate our government. Obama has no experience with anything. Clinton was a governor, he understood what it took.
I am not sure why so many people are so anti-McCain/Palin. They are middle of the road republicans. You compare McCain to Bush. But it’s not the same. Yes he did say they agree 90% of the time. Well they are republicans. That 10% is a HUGE difference. Just remember your DNA is 2% different from a chimpanzee.



Please, EVERYONE, please, do your own research. By now, most people should know better than to believe 70% of what you hear on the news these days. Here is a good place to start. No more hearsay.



McCain/Palin (http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/ - broken link)
Obama/Biden
(http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/ - broken link)

[CarolinaCowboy]

Another example of media lies and spin is that $43,000 she spent to travel. The capital is in juneau, which is an island and you have to fly to it. SHE FLYS COACH PEOPLE! Not on a private jet as the former governor did. The last governor spent over $500,000 in the same traveling. She spent $40,000. A savings of $460,000 or near half million. Yet the media is jumping all over the $40,000 not comparing it to the usual expense of the past governors. A total lie and spin tactic!

She also refused to accept a State Trooper security detail that all past governors used, saving over $300,000 annually.

I cannot believe the lies being spread about this lady. 88% approval rating people! Think about it! 47% of Alaskans are democrats and they all love her. there is a reason.

[walidm]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

You absolutely did, take a look at your thread title again.

Mmm...no, I asked Why do Alaskans get back 97% from the Government and if the poster thought it was fair to receive far more than they pay into the Government per his statement.

The article states - Of the 50 states, Alaska ranks No. 1 in taxes per resident and No. 1 in spending per resident. Its tax burden per resident is 2 1/2 times the national average; its spending, more than double.

[A]ccording to the Tax Foundation, Alaska ranked 18th in federal taxes paid per resident ($5,434) but first in federal spending received per resident ($13,950). Its ratio of federal spending received to federal taxes paid ranks third among the 50 states, and in the absolute amount it receives from Washington over and above the amount it sends to Washington, Alaska ranks No. 1.

I also made a note of the following quote, which in no uncertain terms states the responsibilities of the Governor, for the context of the discussion.

"Under the state constitution, the governor of Alaska has unusually strong powers to shape the state budget."

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by walidm

Mmm...no, I asked Why do Alaskans get back 97% from the Government and if the poster thought it was fair to receive far more than they pay into the Government per his statement.

Ummmm...yes.

Your thread title refers to the federal tax paid and received by Alaska, and ends with the phrase "Welcome Palin Economics". As you now admit, she had nothing to do with the federal receipts and distribution to Alaska, so linking her to this financial statement was intentionally deceptive (as now pointed out to you by multiple posters).

[walidm]

:Yawn:

Why do Alaskans get back 97% from the Government and if the poster thought it was fair to receive far more than they pay into the Government per his statement.

hmm...sounds like a good thread topic.....

[brokerdave]

wow the OP Pm'd me and said that this Federal funding accounted for 16% of the state’s total revenue! SOURCE isnt correct, lol. ITS SOURCED

you will believe an unsourced article, but not a source government published document. i guess the truth hurts

[walidm]

Originally Posted by brokerdave

wow the OP Pm'd me and said that this Federal funding accounted for 16% of the state’s total revenue! SOURCE isnt correct, lol. ITS SOURCED

you will believe an unsourced article, but not a source government published document. i guess the truth hurts

"Not certain I understand the 2% difference form a chimpanzee statement; however, thank you for your post. Much of it contains some interesting insight. Since you asked a few direct questions I'll answer. Yes I know what a veto is, yes I know what it's like to live in a snow state, No I don't agree with you on senator obama's earmarks anymore than I agree with senator mccain's earmarks and he does have them as well; however, many like to spin the definition of earmarks. I understand you don't like the information in the topic; however, none of it is factually incorrect - similar to this statement -Federal funding accounted for 16% of the states total revenue. Thank you for addressing the thread topic, perhaps our next conversation will be more civil.

Have an Excellent Day!"

Where did I assert in this PM that your data was not sourced?

[pghquest]

Originally Posted by walidm

mmm...Nope, that's what you did.

I quoted the author, sourced the data and asked if the lower 48 was ready for a similar structure. You didn't read, you reacted.

I didn't "fail" to list the State taxes. I didn't list them.

I don't claim she vetoed anything. The author does and you don't like the claim, can you refute the data presented?

Maybe the 2% out of the budget is worthy of discussion, it's part of the thread topic. What more about it do you wish to discuss? You've certainly expressed it was "great", duly noted. Was there more?

"Governor Palin has said she vetoed "nearly $500 million" in state spending during her two years as governor. "This amounts to less than 2% of the proposed budget."[1]

I know you didnt list the state taxes, maybe because it was convenient to note that THERE ARE NONE.. In fact the state PAYS the citizens to live there, so if your proposing that the federal government becomes just like Alaska.. GREAT.. I'm all for EVERYONE getting a check from the governments surplus yearly..

[walidm]

Would you be for a windfall profits tax on oil?