Alaska is not for sale

Alaskans have been fighting for sovereignty and control over our resources for decades, going back to our days as a territory. Whether it was Russian fur traders in the past or bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., today, outsiders have always tried to control Alaska's valuable resources. This year, a new group of outsiders is trying to seize control over part of our state government: The Washington, D.C.-based Republican Governor's Association has purchased $1.5 million in TV ads for the governor's race. As Alaskans, we have a responsibility to understand who's behind this massive ad buy and the attempt to buy a governor.

The RGA's largest donor is a gambling organization, owned by Sheldon Adelson, that admitted to violating anti-bribery laws. Based on whistleblower reports, the company was attempting to bribe Chinese officials as part of its efforts to develop overseas casinos. Whistleblowers also accused the company of covering up collusion with Chinese organized crime.

Another large donor to the RGA is the Citadel hedge fund. Most hedge funds make money by buying companies, laying off workers, slashing pay and benefits, and outsourcing production. In short, they are parasites who suck wealth out of American workers and transfer it to Wall Street. However, Citadel is worse than your run-of-the-mill parasitic hedge fund. After its CEO donated nearly $200,000 to Chicago's mayor, he used that funding to ram through a proposal slashing workers' pensions. We should keep this pay-to-play Chicago-style corruption out of Alaska, but the RGA's ad buy means we're confronting it now.

The Koch Brothers, who own the company that shut down the Flint Hills refinery near Fairbanks and have tried to buy other elections in Alaska, also aid the RGA. The Koch Brothers' agenda is simple: Lower wages and eliminate benefits for working families by attacking unions. The Kochs also oppose transparency and accountability laws for Wall Street, where their companies make much of their money.

Finally, there is a long list of pharmaceutical and health insurance companies that donate hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to the RGA. Their agendas are simple: Jack up health care prices and cash in on the pain and suffering of Alaskans and other Americans.

An old saying goes, "You dance with the ones that brung you." That is certainly true in politics. During the election, outside interests such as the RGA and its sleazy donors will try to buy a governor's seat with TV, internet and radio ads. It's up to us voters to follow the money and understand the corrupt interests that are preparing to back the Republican candidate.

Pat Falon worked in the construction industry for three decades and played an active role supporting the campaigns of Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Don Young and Gov. Bill Walker. He intends to continue volunteering in this election.

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