By BRETT HUBER
Feb. 25, 2026 – Last night, I watched the State of the Union address in a room full of Alaskans who were initially pensive and concerned about the direction of our country. There was some handwringing about what a fix our nation is in right now.
The dozens of Alaskans I sat with weren’t political operatives, insiders, or activists. They were regular citizens: business owners, parents, retirees, and people working or between jobs. They were folks who feel the pressure at the kitchen table and wonder whether anyone in government actually understands it.
As the president spoke about issues that hit families where it matters — affordability, crime, the border, economic stability — the vibe in that room began to shift. You could feel it. With every contrast drawn between his vision and that of Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the distinction became more evident: belief in centralized government solutions versus belief in the individual.
By the end of the night, the mood in the room had changed entirely. People left energized. Hopeful. Reminded that there is a choice.
And that’s the point here: We are at a moment when the country is, indeed, divided. It’s divided by philosophy and who we put our faith in: Do we believe government is the primary engine of prosperity and fairness? Or do we believe individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and free enterprise are the real drivers of success?
Here in Alaska, we’ve got Exhibit A: Our Legislature had the opportunity to craft a long-term fiscal plan. Instead, it drifted back toward tax-and-spend habits that have failed before. Our biggest city — Anchorage — continues to pursue new revenue while residents question what they are getting in return. There’s another $12 million tax proposal headed for the ballot.
In Juneau and Ketchikan, towns with small populations, city managers are being paid salaries exceeding $220,000 a year. It’s more than the governor makes, by far.
In Fairbanks, the mayor wouldn’t have the trash collected because it was too cold.
These are not just anecdotes, but examples of government running amuck.
At some point, citizens have to ask: Is this the direction we want?
Meanwhile, the national conversation churns with scandal headlines and endless investigations; the latest Epstein file revelations dominating news cycles and nobody even remembers that last year’s chant was “FREE PALESTINE!”
But while political theater absorbs attention, everyday Americans are asking simpler questions: Can I even afford groceries? Is my community safe? Are my children going to have opportunity here?
The State of the Union reminded people that there are competing answers to those questions. One vision expands government authority and assumes bureaucratic management is the solution. That was the last administration. The other assumes empowered citizens, strong families, secure borders, and economic freedom are the foundation.
But here is the uncomfortable truth: Nothing changes unless ordinary people decide to become personally involved at the local level.
It is not enough to complain about taxes or criticize spending. It is not enough to share frustrations online.
School boards, Assembly meetings, legislative hearings, and ballot initiatives. If you want a different outcome, you have to participate in creating it.
The people I sat with last night didn’t leave believing a single speech would fix everything. They left reenergized about the role they can play in creating change, restoring balance, and building a future for our children and grandchildren. They understood that we have to put the “self” back in self-government.
That’s where Americans for Prosperity comes in, buiding a grassroots movement each and every day to restore freedom and liberty. We fight for every individual’s opportunity to pursue their version of the American Dream.
We can continue down the path where government grows, costs rise, and citizens feel increasingly disconnected from decisions that affect their daily lives.
Or we can step forward. It’s not someone else’s responsibility. It’s ours.
If you see the path to prosperity as we do, join us! Let us help lift your voice and make certain we are heard. The time to be the change is now!
Brett Huber is Americans for Prosperity-Alaska’s state director and a longtime Alaskan.
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One thought on “Brett Huber: A choice is in front of us, but it requires something from each of us”
The people sitting around you Brett are only as hopeful as long as President Trump commands the Oval Office. He only has Three years though.
The regular people you are talking about they need to sit sit on their local community councils including you If we all want to prolong what wealth and independence is left for America God approval however much time this country has left.
Your people put everything (all responsibility) on One man to prolong the wealth we have enjoyed of America to the present because many of those in the Republican Party and churches don’t want to self sacrifice your nights and days to serve on the community councils for however long it takes to flip blue cities like Anchorage. The Right thinks if They can just elect the correct Senators, Representatives, Governors, President, Assembly members, Mayors that all their troubles and struggles will go away.
America Is not built to be a monarch of Leaders sitting in high positions. It’s built to give the most power to the lowliest community leaders influencing those at the top elected positions. The power trickled upward in America not downward.
Your crowd who sits around you, they have forgotten the people hold the power if they are willing to work at the ground level of leadership by attending and leading community councils influencing the direction of the Assembly, Mayor who then influenced the Legislature who then influences the direction of the Governor, US Senators, US Representatives.
Your Crowd of people who desire to change Anchorage direction and influence the state legislature direction, they need to flip the councils first because Assembly members they come out of the councils and the knowledge of the community they had to learn in order to serve their neighborhoods better as council members.