When public officials say Alaskans need to “face the coronavirus together” or that we need to “care for one another,” it is difficult to understand how they could also vote for two $1,000 Permanent Fund dividend checks this year.
Alaska is entering an economic recession of unprecedented dimension and duration. Savings and earnings are nearly depleted. Public revenues will plummet. These dividends will drain the available savings accounts by nearly a quarter.
Additional cash as economic stimulus does little when businesses are closed. The federal package will aid small business credit and mortgage debt (both of which should indirectly help renters), as well as send cash to most people.
And the dividends that go to the wealthy or to those who have not lost their jobs could much better be spent on helping the unemployed, providing for essential public services, facilitating health care delivery, and aid to those with low incomes.
Facing this together is the haves helping the have-nots. It is not short-term self-interest. It is embarrassing to be included in the generation of Alaskans who squandered the wealth and emptied the savings that could have been put to so much better use now and for future generations.
— Roger Marks
Anchorage
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