Lord Have Mercy

Wednesday, 29 October 2008 by aurora_guy.

Alaskan politics is in a sad state.  Our ethics-violating governor has gone maverick on Maverick.  Our sole representative in the House, Don Young, has spent a TON of money on legal fees, supposedly as a result of recent criminal investigations, including connections to VECO, the key to Ted Stevens’ downfall.  And…well, we all know about Ted.

Folks advocating Uncle Ted’s retirement on account of his octogenarian status simply have not seen him in person.  I run into him now and then in various airports, and he is still quick on his feet.  He is nearly 35 years my senior, and he wins any foot race at Sea-Tac hands down.  Despite the convictions in federal court, he retains a substantial number of supporters, and he still has a chance to hang on to his Senate seat.  Even dead people have been elected.  I have to wonder why his supporters won’t face the obvious.  As a felon, Ted Stevens cannot have a firearm, yet the NRA endorses him (and Don Young).  As a felon he loses his right to the Permanent Fund Dividend, which is tantamount to losing citizenship.  As a felon he likely can’t even vote for himself, yet he has the right to make laws affecting each and everyone of 300 million Americans.  He can never keep his powerful status in the Senate.  His utility to Alaskans, well-proven over the decades, has ended.  Neither Ted nor Don can do the state any good with so many questions about their integrity.

I remember some years back walking into the office of State Senator Con Bunde, then fairly new to the seat having come from the State House.   I was on a glad-handing tour representing a substantial portion of university employees.  I wanted the legislators to put a human face to my constituents.  Back then former Senator Murkowski ran the governor’s mansion with an iron fist, and the Alaska Republicans ran roughshod over the local Dems.  Without so much as waiting for a proper introduction, Con blasted me with, “I don’t know why you’re here, but it’s our way or the highway.  You’re not getting any funding or consideration if you disagree with us.”  At no point did I get a sense the senator had the slightest concern for his constituents.  He would only serve The Party, and The Party was corrupt top to bottom.  I realized the rest of the voters and I were just along for the ride as far as the Alaska Republicans were concerned.

Murkowski was quick to alienate his base supporters with his hubris.  Appointing his daughter to fill his seat in DC was a minor slap in the face in comparison to his later transgressions and eventual alienation of the entire legislature.  Then came Sarah, who had little experience but a fair reputation as a small-town mayor.  (The step up from a mayor of 30,000 versus governor of 600,000 is an easy one.)  She had enough distance from the old coalition to seem like a breath of fresh air.  But then, in winter up here nothing has an aroma, not even rotten garbage.

I recall the old saying about people getting the government they deserve.

Alaskans have made the political headlines of late, but please don’t think we’re all that way.  We just happen to vote for those who are.

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