Complements of: http://www.annieoakley.org/
In August of this year, a fellow blogger posted an article titled “Follow the Money”. Part of that article appears below:
She took office on December 4, 2006, the youngest and first woman Governor in Alaska’s history of Statehood beginning on January 3, 1959, when President of the United State, Dwight D. Eisenhower, signed the official declaration.
She got to work right away doing what she has done since her inauguration; working to insure that Alaskans were receiving the best possible representation at all levels of Alaskan government. She replaced 2 last minute board appointments her predecessor had made to the ANGDA (Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority) with Alaskans who she said would provide “objectivity and new energy” to the board.
Calling the purchase impractical and unwise (for reasons including the requirement of long, paved runways), the Governor ordered the Department of Public Safety Commissioner, Walt Monegan, to place the jet purchased by former Governor Murkowski for sale on eBay.
She directed the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to terminate the construction contract for an 11-mile stretch of one-lane road to begin the Lynn Canal Highway stating that this one-lane road would not serve the best interest of Alaska and Alaskans.
In December of 2007, Governor Palin petitioned the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protections to reconsider its interpretation of a maritime law (written in 1886) which could damage the Alaskan tourism industry by requiring cruise ships between the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii to spend at least half as much time in foreign ports as they did in all U.S. ports of call. This, in Governor Palin’s view would force cruise lines to significantly reduce the amount of time they were allowed to spend in Alaska ports with the end result being that hundred of millions of dollars a year would be removed from the Alaska economy.
Governor Palin released her budget for fiscal year 2008 with the following budget priorities:
- Fully funded K-12 education foundation formula including $35 million appropriated by the past year’s Legislature and adding an additional $200 million to cover increased retirement costs.
- Reinstated the longevity bonus for seniors who had been prematurely cut from the program.
- Funding to assist local governments and provided full funding for Power Cost Equalization
- Increased Alaska Public Office Commission (APOC) enabling an investigator to be hired.
- Repeal of the studded tire tax
- Saved money toward Alaska’s future.
- Proposed to deposit Fiscal Year 2007 and 2008 surplus into the constitutional Budget Reserve.
- Proposed to deposit $1.3 billion from the Permanent Fund Earnings Reserve into the overall Permanent Fund.
Although she may have disagreed personally, Governor Palin followed the dictates of the Alaska Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court by signing HB4002 providing for same-sex benefits.
The governor vetoed HB 4001 which would have been unconstitutional in light of HB4002.
Then she prepared for her second month in office.
Busy month, wasn’t it?
At approximately 5’5” tall, how is it that this basketball point guard, runner, reader and normal teenage girl grew into such a beautiful, talented and gifted young woman with so much political savvy that other political candidates wish they had? What is it that sets her apart from the rest?
She does “her own thing” by deciding which battles are worth fighting then, like the proverbial “pit bull with lipstick” or the “barracuda” stalking prey, she pounces always hitting the mark squarely where it will be the most effective.
In her resignation speech of July 3, 2009, Governor Palin herself mentioned some of her accomplishments for the people and the State of Alaska during her time in office:
-The Palin administration created a petroleum integrity office to oversee safe development. Now, for the first time in decades, drilling for oil and gas has begun.
-Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Shares, commonly known as ACES, provides incentives for new exploration and job development.
-Her administration eliminated unethical activities that were tolerated by prior administrations and created the bipartisan Ethics Reform.
-She has a record of working with Alaska’s Legislative branch to control government growth and has saved billions of dollars for Alaskans’ future.
-Under Governor Palin’s leadership, the administration generated unprecedented support for education initiatives, and finally filled long-vacant public safety positions.
-Palin’s administration built a sub-Cabinet on Climate Change and took criticism from celebrities and special interest groups for Alaska’s biologically-sound wildlife management for abundance.
-Of course, we all know that Sarah Palin put the State jet on eBay and eliminated other personal but common luxuries for seated Governors.
-Criticized for refusing the so-called “stimulus money,” Governor Palin, again showing her innate courage and independence, recognized that there were strings attached to those federal dollars and chose to protect the best interests of Alaskans instead of accepting a federal hand-out. According to the Governor, “I have taken the slings and arrows with that unpopular move to veto because I know being right is better than being popular.” She “resisted those dollars because of the obscene national debt we’re forcing our children to pay; it’s immoral and doesn’t even make economic sense!”
-Palin also relished another accomplishment when the U.S. Supreme Court reversed two cases in Alaska’s favor. “We’re protectors of our Constitution – and federalists protect states’ rights, as mandated in the 10th amendment,” said the Governor.
-“So much success in this first term – and with this success I am proud to take credit…for hiring the right people! Our goal was to achieve a gasline project, more fair oil and gas valuation, and ethics reform in four years. We did it in two. It’s because of the people…good public servants surrounding the Governor’s office, with servants’ hearts and astounding work ethic…they are Alaska’s success,” she said.
-Another selfless action on Alaska’s behalf: she and the Lt. Governor refused their pay raises.
Since making that speech, she has not ceased working for the things that she knows are in the best interest of the American people. The only difference is she hasn’t used a title or a Governor’s platform to speak out. She used the simple method of a social network – her own Facebook page. Why not? What used to be known as MSM (mainstream media) now referred to in the blogosphere as OSM (Obama State Media) has never done their job of reporting without prejudice where she is concerned.
Now she has complete control over the editing and the timing of her statements. She uses incredible timing when she publishes a statement – the effect is tremendous.
- August 7, 2009 – “As more Americans delve into the disturbing details of the nationalized health care plan that the current administration is rushing through Congress, our collective jaw is dropping, and we’re saying not just no, but hell no!
- August 8, 2009 – “As Americans spend the next few weeks discussing health care reform, I thought it might be helpful to share some articles (and one panel discussion video) that I’ve found especially insightful.”
- August 10, 2009 – “Conclusion The Waxman-Markey bill proposes a new national tax of historic proportions. Though levied directly on carbon-based energy, the tax’s impact spreads through the economy, increasing prices, reducing income, destroying jobs, and significantly expanding the national debt.”
- August 11, 2009 – “Contrary to some assertions, Sarah Palin has a strong record supporting Alaskan seniors. For example, Governor Palin successfully obtained approval for a five year extension of a state program that provided monthly cash payments to low-income seniors.”
- August 12, 2009 – “Yesterday President Obama responded to my statement that Democratic health care proposals would lead to rationed care; that the sick, the elderly, and the disabled would suffer the most under such rationing; and that under such a system these “unproductive” members of society could face the prospect of government bureaucrats determining whether they deserve health care.”
- August 13, 2009 – “I join millions of Americans in expressing appreciation for the Senate Finance Committee’s decision to remove the provision in the pending health care bill that authorizes end-of-life consultations (Section 1233 of HR 3200). It’s gratifying that the voice of the people is getting through to Congress; however, that provision was not the only disturbing detail in this legislation; it was just one of the more obvious ones.”
- August 19, 2009 – “Today’s Wall Street Journal contains some puzzling news for all Americans who are impacted by high energy prices and who share the goal of moving us toward energy independence.”
- August 21, 2009 – “President Obama’s health care “reform” plan has met with significant criticism across the country. Many Americans want change and reform in our current health care system. We recognize that while we have the greatest medical care in the world, there are major problems that we must face, especially in terms of reining in costs and allowing care to be affordable for all. However, as we have seen, current plans being pushed by the Democratic leadership represent change that may not be what we had in mind — change which poses serious ethical concerns over the government having control over our families’ health care decisions. In addition, the current plans greatly increase costs of health care, while doing lip service toward controlling costs.”
- September 6, 2009 – “Many of us join Secretary Gates in condemning the Associated Press for its heartless and selfish decision to turn its back on the wishes of a grieving family in order to exploit the tragic death of a true American hero.”
- September 8, 2009 – “Written Testimony Submitted to the New York State Senate Aging Committee”
- September 8, 2009 – “Writing in the New York Times last month, President Barack Obama asked that Americans “talk with one another, and not over one another” as our health-care debate moves forward.”
- September 9, 2009 – “I’m pleased that the White House is finally responding to Republican health care ideas instead of pretending they don’t exist.”
- September 9, 2009 – “After all the rhetoric is put aside, one principle ran through President Obama’s speech tonight: that increased government involvement in health care can solve its problems.”
- September 11, 2009 – “Please thank a veteran today. They certainly do not look for those thanks, but they have more than earned it.”
- September 17, 2009 – “Today, let’s also take the opportunity to thank our armed forces. The weight of defending our liberty rests on their shoulders, and because of their efforts and sacrifice, we can celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the formation of our Constitution.”
Well, at least that’s a start… Do almost 893,000 know something you don’t?
Good research, nicely presented 🙂
My hat is off to you:
http://www.thepalination.com/2009/09/appreciation.html
Very impressive, thanks for publishing.
Facebook now at: 900,209. Should hit 1 million by Thanksgiving.
I don’t know If I said it already but …Great site…keep up the good work. 🙂 I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks, 🙂
A definite great read….
[…] now because this woman stands head and shoulders above you and everything you stand for. Oh… somebody else wrote that – I didn’t. Well, I don’t think she’d mind if I borrow […]