Perhaps there never was that golden era when civil discussion was the way of politics and its commentators. Still, it is laughable that the most publicized and valid arguments against Gov. Dunleavy boil down, like a weak and poor broth, to name-calling and defamation. “He’s a liar; he’s robbing the impoverished and elderly; he’s blatantly incompetent,” and so forth.
If any of those who would detract from the governor truly wished things to be done differently, why do they take an armchair enthusiast approach to politics? Why don’t they raise money, run a campaign for the next election? Perhaps it’s beyond their scope and means. Politics is, after all, an expensive business, but so is sustaining the infrastructure of a people and their government.
Detractors are typically those who could actively attempt to achieve the values they suppose to aim for, but are too busy commenting on the actions of those they see as “in power” to do anything. Out of all the money raised in opposition to the governor, supposedly to “defend Alaska,” or to help save the schools, or any of the other popular crusades, how many of those dollars are actually going to directly help someone suffering from the reduced budget?
The people of Alaska are just that: people. Not programs but individuals. We are all “in power” of ourselves; there is no law against giving your own money away. To whom it is given says much more than words ever will.
— Robert “Bob” Blasco
Nanwalek
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