Saturday, September 20, 2008

Sarah Palin's Welfare State - Alaska

Poor old Sarah Palin. She and the Geezer pitched her as the frontierswoman leader of a tough, independent, self-reliant frontier state, Alaska. Yessir, she was going to bring some of that self-reliant, "can do" attitude to Washington where it's so badly needed.

Except, as AlterNet inconveniently points out, Sarah Palin's Alaska is, in fact, America's number one welfare state:

Actually, much of Alaska long ago lost the tradition of self-help. Palin might be campaigning on an anti-government, do-it-yourself platform, but her state is the most dependent on the federal government of all 50 states. Washington sends Alaska more money per capita than any other state. Alaskans receive back from the federal government almost $2 for every $1 they send to Washington. It's a sweet deal.

And when it comes to government pork, Alaska is king. As USA Today noted back in March, Palin's state ranks number one -- no other state is even close. In 2007 Alaska received some 2.5 times as much as runner-up Hawaii and 15 times more than the national average.


Alaska has by far the most state government employees per capita as any other state and about five times as many as Obama's Illinois.

The part of Alaska not dependent on federal government largesse is dependent on big oil. Almost 90 percent of Alaska's general budget comes from royalties and taxes on oil, which explains how the state can be number one in state government spending while ranking far down the list in taxes its residents pay. Alaska has no income tax or sales tax. Recently, its legislature suspended the gasoline tax.

So, there goes the McCain campaign's narrative about Sarah Palin, straight into the dumper.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

give it a break with the palin bashing, most of your blog is part of the loony leftwing lying smear, do your homework, your making liberals look bad

The Mound of Sound said...

palin bashing? have you got anything,beyond a slackjaw, to contest any of these facts? Anything? Or are you just running your mouth? looney left smear, that's a joke.

Oldschool said...

Hey mound . . . you are spouting nonsense as usual . . . Alaska is an oil producing state . . . Palin is the Governor not a congress rep in Washington . . . how does she get earmarks in Washington?
Its too bad the MSM didn't examing O'bumma as intensly as they seem to be vetting Palin. They have demonstrated by their actions that they are radical left. The loney left has even said she hates eskimos . . . her husband ia half eskimo . . . soo nuts!!!
Palin is a bright lady, she will smoke the Dimmicrat Biden when they debate, Obumma is a marxist, that is why u think he is great!

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The Mound of Sound said...

Old Stool, she lobbied for handouts, that's one way her state got them.
then, of course, there was Senator Stevens. Now why don't you give your head a rest, take it out of your backside, and read. Fox News isn't news, pal. And, yes, Alaska is America's #1 Welfare State. How d'ya like that, chum?

Anonymous said...

So are you also calling our territories welfare states? They lead in federal funding per capita as well.

The Mound of Sound said...

I didn't call our territories anything, Aaron. It's the Repugs who launched this fantasy of Palin's Alaska and her fiscal efficacy. All this does is burst that little balloon.

thescottross.blogspot.com said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
KEvron said...

was the deleted comment from scottaross@hotmail.com ? just curious....

KEvron

The Mound of Sound said...

Sorry KEvron, haven't a clue at this point. In any case, the comment is shown as "removed by the author", not me.

Why do you ask?