Once the boorish feeding frenzy over Sarah Palin’s daughter backs down (and it’s really a nasty display; people really should feel ashamed of themselves), I’m looking forward to learning more about McCain’s VP pick: her policy positions, for instance, or how she views her role as Vice President, or whether she thinks her personal views on social issues should be reflected by the government.
Until then, though, I’ve been contenting myself with reading the slowly-growing information on Governor Palin herself. She sounds like a fascinating person, with a biography that resonates on many levels but is peppered with exotic Alaskan adventures I can hardly imagine.
Among other things, I’ve read that although she has been presented as a government reformer and a “compatriot in [John McCain’s] battle against wasteful federal spending”, Sarah Palin — as both mayor and governor — has sought (and obtained) many millions in federal earmarks.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for a town of 6,700 residents while she was its mayor, according to an analysis by an independent government watchdog group.
Okay, I thought. That’s pretty much how business is done, unfortunately, though it seems a tad misleading to claim she’s McCain’s compatriot here. (Added: Dr. Steven Taylor has a fuller analysis of this aspect). But then I read this:
Today is the beginning of a petrol-tax holiday for Alaskans, on top of which they’ll be receiving a $1,200 “relief” cheque in the post. Alaska has so much oil of its own that it can afford it: thanks to rising prices, the state has a GDP of more than $41 billion, which must tempt Vladimir Putin to punch a hole in the wall of his dacha: the Russians sold the place to the US in 1867 for $7.2 million, which works out at a 2 cents an acre. Alaskans share in this wealth every year with a dividend from the vast liquid wealth that gushes constantly through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.
Seems like Alaskans do pretty well. So how is it that they’re needing all these extra tax dollars from little ole me?
And no, this isn’t a knock on Sarah Palin. I’m genuinely curious about this. If the federal government is going to take my money, I’d really rather it go where it’s truly needed, rather than just wanted, or because someone’s developed a taste for pork.
Wouldn’t you?