Alaska the Welfare State

[beachFool]

"Although its unemployment rate sits at just 7.9 percent, about two percentage points below the national rate, Alaska has received $3,145 per capita in federal stimulus dollars, the most in the nation, according to figures compiled by Pro Publica, an investigative Web site. Nevada, by contrast, has an unemployment rate north of 14 percent and has received $1,034 per capita in recovery aid. Florida?s jobless rate is 11.4 percent, and the state has obtained $914 per capital."

"In 1996, federal spending in Alaska was 38 percent above the national average. Thanks to the late Republican Senator Ted Stevens, who was Senate appropriations chief for several years, and to the military, which keeps expanding its bases here, Alaska?s share now is 71 percent higher than the national average. "

"Alaskans pride themselves on a libertarian ethos but the state makes so much money from the oil companies that it sends every man, woman and child a dividend check each autumn. The check this year will be about $1,300. "

Sounds a lot like....socialism.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/business/19stimulus.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&sq=alaska federal money&st=nyt&scp=1

 

[Busta Hustle]

i'm sure they'll say the stimulus was forced on them and that the oil revenue is quite deserved. But since their capita is so low the per capita seems high. The higher issue is what stimulus is used for: for instance in lil ole walton bout 2/3 of the $25 mil or so went to one company to do such projects as cleaning off the rubber on runways at Eglin. Real job creators those politicians are.

 

[beachmouse]

It's a sign of how poor Robert Byrd's health was that West Virginia was only in the middle of the pack on that list. As for Alaska, it's such an oddball place where you get everything from the traditional city dwellers (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla, Juneau) to the militant homesteaders who won't take anything from the government other than their permanent fund check every year to small and extremely isolated villages in harsh climates who need to be heavily subsidized by the government in order to have something resembling modern services.

Had an online friend who took a job teaching in a 90% native village out in the bush. Pay is very good by lower 48 standards, but her village-provided housing (provided in addition to her paycheck) has neither sewer nor septic and like most homes there relies on the 'honeypot' system. She admits she really tries to hold it until she gets to work because the school is one of those rare places in town with flush toilets.

 

[cabythesea]

No wonder Allen Boyd didn't get re-elected - the dude could even get us our fair share of the stimulas cash! As for the Alaskan Oil situation, I'm not sure how that relates to socialism. Obamacare, yes, Alaskan Oil, no.

 

[beachmouse]

Because the idea that the citizens of the state/country should get some sort of social and economic benefit is best exemplified by Norway, and Everyone Knows that life is awful in those socialist Nordic countries and none of their government policies should ever be implemented in the Land of the Free.

 

[30ashopper]

Because the idea that the citizens of the state/country should get some sort of social and economic benefit is best exemplified by Norway, and Everyone Knows that life is awful in those socialist Nordic countries and none of their government policies should ever be implemented in the Land of the Free.

Norway is interesting, I wonder what happens when they run out of natural resources? It probably won't happen in my lifetime. I do find it fascinating to consider.

 

[beachmouse]

Norway's actually got what looks like quite a solid investment plan for their government's share of oil revenues that should go pretty far in cushioning both the drying up of their oil fields and the demographics crunch facing all Euro area countries as a whole bunch of people all try to claim their pensions at once.

Only about 10% of their government/tax revenue right now comes from the oilfields, which is pretty sensible considering what so many other countries do with oil windfalls. (The Saudis are screwed ten ways to Sunday because they rely so much on oil money to fund government operating expenses)

 

[Here4Good]

As for the Alaskan Oil situation, I'm not sure how that relates to socialism. Obamacare, yes, Alaskan Oil, no.

State ownership of the oil fields, with a distribution of revenue for every man, woman and child in the state, is socialism.

In addition, Alaska gets something like $5 back for every $1 in federal taxes paid. Sweet.

 

[LuciferSam]

No wonder Palin can see Russia. She's standing in it.

 

[Elephant Child]

No wonder Palin can see Russia. She's standing in it.

Reading this thread, I said to myself..where is Lucifer's comment on Palin. You didn't disappoint!