The Conflict Between Starr an Selkregg is the Rally Cry for the Next Elections

This article was posted today on the KTUU Channel News Website.  Last night the Anchorage Assembly met to discuss and adopt Mayor Sullivan's six year budget plan, a fifteen page plan drafted by the Mayor and his office outlining Anchorage's financial future. 

The usage of the word socialism has frankly been worn out.  Those who use it seem not to truly grasp its meaning.  I had to comment on the article, and to reply to others who made comment. 

Somebody please, in plain English, outline for me how our society has adopted socialism? As I understand the current usage of the term our churches engage in socialism. Churches regularly collect money from the members of their congregation, and redistribute the money to those it determines to be most in need. This is a basic principle of Christian faith and practice. Those of us who have been blessed with more give to those who have less or none. I have no problem extending this tenant of my faith in God to my state and nation. I render to Caesar what is Caesars as Jesus requested I do. I do so because it betters my society, and goes beyond what I or my congregation could do locally. Most of what I contribute goes to the upkeep of the infrastructure of my state and nation, and I am proud of that fact. If a portion is misused, well then that is but a portion, and those responsible can be brought to bare for their crimes. My faith tells me that their misdeeds will come around to trip them up eventually. I look around and see all that comprises my city, my district, my world, and I am grateful for it, and proud to have paid taxes to nurture it. I am blessed, and I can afford to pay a little extra to see to it that someone less fortunate than I has a better chance at life. My government isn't bad. It is run by humans, and there but for the grace of God go I.

Assemblyman Starr is a businessman.  He was elected to help run our city, to watch over its fiscal health and the physical well being of its occupants.  We pay his salary.  If we want a portion of our taxes to be redistributed to the poorest of our citizens, or to improve the commons (public places of commerce, government or recreation), then so be it.  If not to benefit our small portion of society, its commerce, trade, recreation, public health, etc., then for what do we pay taxes?  

I have no doubt that Sheila Selkregg was acting on behalf of her constituency in District 19 of which I am a member.  She has done so consistently even when it has put her in direct conflict with other Assembly members and Mayor Sullivan.

District 19 has been extremely blessed to have elected three competent and able individuals to watch over our public welfare.   At the city level, we have Sheila Selkregg, who has an amazing head for business, and pragmatic approach to problem solving, yet consistently manages to apply both traits to the humanity of the people she was elected to serve.  Her steadfast defense of human rights during the long months of hearings on AO 64 (the sexual orientation ordinance) showed great character and fortitude.

To represent the needs of Muldoon in the state House, we have Pete Petersen.  Anyone who has taken the time to get on Representative Petersen's email list, will attest to the fact that information floweth freely from his office.  I will attest to the fact that its content is as accurate as I can validate through normal means of fact finding available to the citizen.  Representative Petersen has been  involved in and effective at researching and addressing such issues as Enstar's rate hikes, and the suspiciously high cost of fuel in Alaska.  By involved I mean he has been out gathering information, helping to draft legislation, and finally, to get the information gathered back out to his constituency.

Finally, serving ably in the Senate is Bill Wielechowski.  Senator Wielechowski has done a tremendous job striving to achieve his campaign promises. Senator Wielechowski's feedback to his constituency during the AGIA process was much appreciated.  So little was known about the process, and on several occasions, he or his immediate staff responded directly to my doubts and concerns.  Like Representative Petersen emails, the Senator's newsletters go beyond mere campaign bulletins, and the facts they provide have been invaluable to me in my personal attempt to keep up to date on public issues.  The young Senator has either drafted or help to draft key legislation to combat unfair prices hikes by utility companies, and high fuel price.

All of these individuals will have my vote next election so long as they continue to uphold their oaths of office.  They have met all of my criteria for what makes a solid servant of the public.  They have first done no harm, and secondly helped to safeguard against wrongdoing in both commerce and the public.  But above that they have been accessible to their constituency, to those who elected them to office.  They live in their district, and interact with those they serve.  I have seen no evidence of self seeking, and I have been vigilant.  Those who have read my blogs know that I love research.  They have demonstrated more than adequately, and in many instances outstandingly that they have the experience to do their jobs, and the fortitude to persevere when standing up for the public.  They have done even when it has placed them in opposition to the wishes of the business or the religious community.  They have shown no disdain for these institutions.  To the contrary, I believe their actions will ultimately protect them (though some may not think so).

My purpose for this lengthy atta boy/girl for the public servants of Muldoon is a simple one.  Representative Petersen, and Senator Wielechowski are progressives, and Democrats.  The conservative  Republicans have gathered candidates to run for those offices held by Representative Petersen and Senator Wielechowski.   They have this right.  I cherish their right to do so, but I worry that their reasons for seeking election may not be in the best tradition of public office.  By this I mean, I suspect they wish to run for reasons other than to better the health, welfare and economy of the public who may elect them to office.  If this is not the case, then they have only to prove themselves more worthy than the incumbent candidates.  Fair enough, but a warning to them:  our district has had enough of moral piety and empty campaign promises.  We have at our disposal two able bodied gentlemen who have proved their mettle in office.   What ever the opposition offers it had best meet the highest standards of office for they will be scrutinized, and their past actions carefully weighed for sincerity of merit.  Muldoon has just begun to see a spark of resurrection amidst economic disaster.  We have much to lose should we chose unwisely.  Our progression towards better neighborhoods, less crime, safer roads and better schools has been slow but it has been steady and meaningful.

As the next election draws near, we, the progressive citizens of all districts in Alaska must replay in our hearts and heads the words of our newly elected President one year ago.  We must remember that we the people must do our part to ensure that progress remains vital and alive.  Not simply the progress of commerce and trade of a nation (the big boys and girls will slug it out and eventually the tide will turn), but the progress of our small communities and the people who live and work in and for them.  We must take great pains and make necessary sacrifices of time, money and talent to ensure that those who have faithfully served us as they promised to serve us will be reelected.  We must give support to new faces who demonstrate to us a sincere desire and posses credible skills to serve their communities on behalf of the electorate who place them in office.  We must get out and vote.  We must help our neighbors get out and vote.  We must be willing to discuss the politics of our neighborhoods, and confront those would run for office with our concerns and questions.  If volunteers for the candidates we support call us for assistance, we must be willing to dig as deeply as we are able to answer that call.  If we lack money, we must contribute time.  If we lack time, we must contribute money when possible.  If we lack both resources, then we must lend to them the strength and the power of our voices.  We must explore the six degrees of space that separate us one from another.  If we respect our fellow man, we can find a way to discuss a subject that is important to our mutual welfare.  Yes, we will sometimes face hostility, but what is an instant of inconvenience compared to possibly years of it should someone unqualified to serve be elected?  To what lengths are we willing to go to see our children be welled schooled, our infrastructure in good service and repair, and our elders adequately cared for should they have no resources other than the public good will?  These will be the questions to ask ourselves in the next several months, as we recall the thrill of the last Presidential election, and as we listen attentively to the arguments on the Hill of our Capital as they decide the future of health care reform.  Democracy lives, breaths and we have the privilege of participating in it Day to Day.