NEW YEAR'S SALE . . . A writer for the online version of the San Francisco Chronicle, called SFGate, is floating a suggestion for paying off the national debt. Here's how Steven Paskowitz put it in his Dec. 29 column:
"We're deeply in debt, so let's think big. Imagine that you own 50 properties; wouldn't you consider selling the biggest liability, one that costs more than it brings in? One that is worth enough to pay off your entire debt? In this case a property big enough to raise $14 trillion. Think Alaska."
He goes on to claim we get more than we pay in taxes, have more representation in Congress than our small population warrants, and "many Alaskans don't even support principles of federalism."
Darlings, this is what comes from America knowing only a few Alaskans, and you know who Ear means.
You can read the whole column at http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-12-29/opinion/26349202_1_federal-taxes-alaskans-debt#ixzz19igdfhW8.
SOCIAL NETWORKING . . . Stop the press: Mayor Sullivan is running for re-election next year. We know this because he held a fundraiser Wednesday at Bill Sheffield's Turnagain house to start feeding his re-election coffers. Among those in attendance, Don Young, Congressman for All Alaskans who Voted for Him, Jennifer Johnston and Ernie Hall from the Assembly, newly elected legislator Mia Costello, and April and Art Hackney, back from a trip to Italy.
But a second term for Dan is not the election Republicans are talking about. It's much more fun to imagine a primary face-off between Sullivan and Joe Miller in four years over Mark Begich's U.S. Senate seat. Remember when Sullivan came out for Miller against Lisa? When he could have just kept his mouth shut? When Miller was looking like a sure winner? Didn't we all assume the quid pro quo was that Sen. Miller would return the favor when Dan went after Mark?
Whoops.
Frankly, if it were mano-a-mano, Ear's money would be on George's boy, the Irishman with the brothers. But, as Lisa discovered, Miller has a pipeline to Outside money and 90,000 Alaskans voted for him, so it's not a slam-dunk.
Another question: Will Joe try to take out Young in the 2012 Republican primary? Is that why he stopped his lawsuit, so Republican regulars can get over being mad at him? Don obviously sees it as a possibility. Just listen to him talk about how the U.S. House is all about seniority and how Miller would only want it as a steppingstone to the Senate.
Oh well, it's a new year, d'Ears, and all questions will eventually be answered.
RISING STAR? . . . Speaking of Mia Costello, who put a rocket in her pocket? She's a newly elected Republican House member from Anchorage -- hasn't even been sworn in yet -- and she's scored a seat on House Finance plus chair of the important DNR subcommittee.
QUESTIONS . . . Isn't Tom Anderson due to be released from federal prison this summer? Doesn't that mean he'll be moved into a halfway house soon? Will he be free enough in April to appear personally for the trial over custody of his son with Lesil McGuire?
Did he really get five years while Bill Allen only got three?
Alas, the only question Ear knows the answer to is: Yes, Tom can have his drummer spot back in "Spank the Dog," the Juneau band run by lobbyists Paul Fuhs and John Bitney.
FLY BOYS . . . Friends report former Lite Gov Steve McAlpine is taking a leaf from former state Sen. John Binkley's life. Earwigs will remember Binkley rewarded himself for successful cancer treatment with a helicopter.
McAlpine was treated this past year for the same kind of cancer at the same hospital -- the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas -- and has decided to reward himself with a small plane, friends say. Not sure if he still has a pilot's license, but he can re-up. Didn't he have one years ago when he lived in Valdez?
ON THE MOVE . . . Tim Benintendi, a fixture on the political scene, is retiring after 22 sessions as a legislative aide. His exit is effective Feb. 1. Ear can't remember all the lawmakers Tim staffed for -- the list includes Carl Moses, Donny Olson, Ralph Samuels, John Harris, Dave Donley and Pat Rodey.
UNALASKA POLICE BEAT . . . 12/16/10 Thu 10:36 Domestic Disturbance -- Two grown and drunken roommates got in an argument and then a pushing match about who should get more of their liquid dietary staple out of the refrigerator. (Male), 41 yoa, of Unalaska, was unable to remember his roommate's name but was sure that his roommate had started the fight. A sober witness told police otherwise. (Male) was arrested on one count of Assault IV-DV.
Compiled by Sheila Toomey. Message Sheila at 257-4341 or ear@adn.com. Find Ear online at www.adn.com/ear.
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