06 January 2015

Alaska Stubborn



It's a nippy 2° below this morning, here at work, but there's not nearly the frost we had yesterday. I guess the continued cold air has finally decreased the humidity. That, or that cold has sublimed as much of the remaining snow as it can.

* * * * *
As our new state legislators and the administration settle into their roles, Alaska (like most States) faces a significant budget shortfall: some $3.5 billion, this year alone. The budget process, a year or two back, predicted that $120/barrel oil prices would be around for awhile - and it's down to $50/barrel now.

Yes, we have a $50 billion-with-a-b savings account, and some savings in the Constitional Reserve fund, but we're using it faster than it can be replaced.*

While the Governor has suspended some major projects that have been lingering on the books for years, Alaskans are busily disagreeing on how to address the problem.

Like the old joke, if you lined up all us Alaskans end-to-end, we'd point in all directions.

But Alaskans are, at heart, good solid folks who'll lend a newcomer a helping hand ... once. After that, they expect you to learn from your mistake(s) & not do it again.

Meredith Wilson's "Iowa Stubborn" (from "The Music Man") applies to Alaska, as well:
Oh, there's nothing halfway
About the Iowa way to treat you,
When we treat you
Which we may not do at all. 
There's an Iowa kind of special
Chip-on-the-shoulder attitude.
We've never been without.
That we recall.
We can be cold
As our falling thermometers in December
If you ask about our weather in July.
And we're so by God stubborn
We could stand touchin' noses
For a week at a time
And never see eye-to-eye.
But what the heck, you're welcome,
Join us at the picnic.
You can eat your fill
Of all the food you bring yourself.
You really ought to give Iowa a try.
Provided you are contrary,
We can be cold
As our falling thermometer in December
If you ask about our weather in July.
And we're so by God stubborn
We can stand touchin' noses
For a week at a time
And never see eye-to-eye.
But we'll give you our shirt
And a back to go with it
If your crops should happen to die.


* For the record, Alaska has neither a sales nor income tax. I suspect we won't be able to put off one or t'other (if not both) for much longer.

11 comments:

Cathy said...

Love it !

" Like the old joke, if you lined up all us Alaskans end-to-end, we'd point in all directions."

Rev. Paul said...

Funny and true, ma'am. You can't get a majority of us to agree that it's Tuesday. :)

drjim said...

I suppose a sales tax would be less painful than seeing that big bite out of your paycheck.

Rev. Paul said...

I agree, Jim; it would be okay, at least at first. I've never seen a sales tax that stayed the same size, though.

PioneerPreppy said...

Ya once they start taxing the government never stops it seems.

Old NFO said...

That's the damn truth...LOL and I'm afraid y'all ARE going to get a sales tax.

Rev. Paul said...

Agreed, Preppy.

NFO - we had a sales tax, and the voters repealed it in the early '80s. It's been brought back up a few times, and gets defeated each time ... but the clock is ticking, and I'm guessing we'll have one sooner rather than later, too.

Rob said...

Same thing here. The elected ones are now in secession here too. We have a surplus I think, but they raised fees & alike. GOP wants tax cuts Dems want to raise taxes same story different players..

Rev. Paul said...

I hear ya, Rob. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Guffaw in AZ said...

"Oh, you got trouble my friend, right there in Los Anchorage!"

gfa

Rev. Paul said...

Aha - another Robert Preston fan! :)