True conservatives should read the myopic and simple point of view from Tuckerman Babcock regarding the principled stand taken by some Republican senators on the non-confirmation of Rep. Laddie Shaw to the Alaska Senate. Reading it made me feel like we are paying a terrible price for freedom of speech — and elevating the false conservatism of a political buffoon into something we should take seriously. Rep. Shaw’s military service, brains, interest and his desire to serve, have absolutely nothing to do with the mind-numbing fight in the Senate about the Permanent Fund dividend amount — which has everything to do with avoiding bankruptcy in Alaska.
As a lifelong Alaskan of 68 years and politically way to the right of Genghis Khan, I am appalled we are still having to argue against people who believe they have an “individual” right to state money in the form of a PFD. We never have, never will, and Jay Hammond never thought so either. The Permanent Fund always has been, and always should be, the “people’s” money jointly — and how it is spent is decided by the government we elect. The so-called “arrogant senators” Babcock calls out aren’t perfect — but thank God they aren’t bureaucratic buffoons.
— Mike Heimbuch
Homer
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