Conservative Patriots Group

Nationally we have spent our children's future.  Now we are working on our grandchildrens'.  So it is not the economy, stupid-- its the spending! 

Locally, the story is not so dire.  It is not for the lack of trying, however.  Income to the state will eventually be exceeded by expeditures, even if the value of a barrel of oil remains in the 70- 80 dollar range due to diminishing pipeline output.

Thus, our children's future depends our willingness and ability to decrease government spending and to attract additional sources of income.   Alaska must be OPEN FOR BUSINESS.  Alaska must attract additional sources of income to the State's coffers that also includes the coffers of our businesses and the individual citizens they employ.   

Nothing positive can be achieved if the State remains wealthy in compared to the citizens, just as nothing positive can be expected if the coffers are being depleted and there are too few jobs as well.  Few options are available to government short of taxation to maintain the level of services delivered, and an income tax or sales tax, if necessary,  levied on a vibrant economy is not nearly as punative if the unemployment rate is 5% rather than 10%. 

Thus, if IT'S OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE, it would be wise to reduce the State's propensity to spend while at the same time attracting business to the state to employ us. 

What can Alaska do to attract business to the state?  Hanging out a sign, OPEN FOR BUSINESS, is not enough.

One candidate for governor made a good point--inexpensive energy is a vital factor in attracting business.  

Therefore, the subtext under OPEN FOR BUSINESS needs to include specifics such as, LOW ENERGY COSTS, LOTS OF LAND AVAILABLE, as well as a RESILIENT WORK FORCE and REASONABLE REGULATION. 

For the children,

ric