From the Constitution of the State of Alaska, Article I Section I. “Inherent Rights: This constitution is dedicated to the principles that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own industry; that all persons are equal and entitled to equal rights, opportunities, and protection under the law; and that all persons have corresponding obligations to the people and to the State.”
Budgets are moral documents, and the proposed budget for Alaska does not reflect my values. In the budget debate, I specifically want to reiterate that all persons have corresponding obligations to the people and to the state.
People of Alaska, legislators, government employees, hardworking individuals in private industry, entrepreneurs and those who struggle to live each day — we are all here together. We are fighting over “our” piece of the pie. There are needs and there are wants. There is enough to go around and for everyone to get what they need and to get some of what they want. We are not going to get all that we need, let alone what we want, unless we look at revenue instead of cuts.
It is time for compromise and clear understanding that the present state budget does not reflect our values.
As a person of faith, I am grounded in the American Baptist traditions, covenants of faith, and liberty of conscience. I follow Jesus as a Christian and I am a “Matthew 25” person. “… as you did it to the least of these you did it to me” (NRSV Matthew 25:40 b).
Yes, the budget is about education, health care, safety, transportation and quality of life. The politics of scarcity and dominion over those deemed unworthy or “disposable people” is not who I am. I cannot support the disregard for “the least of these” that is blatant in the current budget.
— Sarah R. Welton
Pastor, Church of the Covenant
Palmer
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