[smokingfrog]

Alaska does get a lot of Fed. $$. A lot of it is supposedly for homeland security - proximity to Russia and protecting our oil supply.

[durasell]

Right. But the money also produces jobs, etc.

My point is, let’s not make Alaska out to be self-sufficient. It isn’t.

Conversely, California gets less back from the Fed than they said to Washington. Now, with the “big economy” states on the ropes, a lot of the “little economy” states are gonna suffer.

[Eska]

Ya know, back in mid 90's oil was 10 bucks a barrel, the dems were cryin for taxes upon taxes. Alaskans quite use to no state taxes. So the dems ran an expensive campaign to win a referendum on using the Perm Fund for various social good. Spent millions on it; lost 87% to 13%. Alaskans want that 40 billion staying right where it is; politicals, keep your filthy hands off it.

Actually oil prices shot thru the roof, no more funding problems. Still dems wanted to spend every penny, so did alot of our repubs. Palin fought them right from the start; I didn't think she would win, but she sure did and all of Alaska is glad she's running the show.

Alaska will weather this economic storm; now only if the feds would permit more resource development. The feds would rather californians sell cheezbugers back and forth than have Alaska create actual wealth from what the land provides.

I wonder if the truth will ever be told why some states are doing just fine and others economic failures.