By WAYNE E. HEIMER
Nov. 2, 2016 – I was recently challenged to defend/explain Trump’s ‘diesel deal’ with Russia because it might prolong Russian resources in Putin’s war to annex Crimea. I failed.
I don’t know much about Trump’s diesel deal with the Russians, but I am intimately familiar with what happens to the food source for older Alaskans when petroleum-driven trucks and ships don’t travel northward with food.
The days when we could grow some carrots and potatoes, pack them in sawdust and store them in a cool space to save them for eating as they got flaccid and started to grow are over.
Similarly, the days when we could just take a rifle up the Taylor or Steese and shoot a caribou to balance our diet are gone. If we were young, had the gear, and the ethos of our youth, and could navigate the permit system morass …maybe. However, the food isn’t available to us if we’re not recognized federal subsistence users on federal lands. As older Alaskans, we’re dependent on ‘the food transport chain.’
Being geezers we’ve become diesel dependent.
I used to subscribe to the almost-cultic slogan, Keep Alaska Alaskan. From my present perspective, that’s over. The beginning of the end came quietly in 1974 when congress made the BLM a land management agency rather than a governmental land-holding-for-disposal functionary. Now, paradoxically, the Crown Jewel Protectionists and Native subsistence advocates have adopted my obsolete mantra, Keep Alaska Alaskan. Everybody wants to pickle Alaska’the way they perceive/enjoy/exploit it. That shows in grand fashion with our election campaign season.
I’ve been wondering what makes a successful senator or fepresentative. In past times, it was “Could/did they (Ted Stevens as the archetype) bring home the bacon?” Ted could, which is why he was called The King of Pork.
Today’s Republicans (the possible exception being Lisa Murkowski — I’ve no idea what she’s up to) cannot be faulted for failure when it comes to getting federal dollars appropriated to Alaska. Still, there is a virulent anti-incumbent campaign which has been unusually nasty and duplicitous this time around…to the point of appealing to (or creating) the ‘unhappy.’ Why?
The standard of success or suitability has either changed: We no longer want federal money for infrastructure projects? Or is there is some other reason?
My hypothesis de jour is that ideology is the driver. There must have been a change in definition of success that goes beyond capturing federal aid for infrastructure to make our lives better. I’m thinking that has more to do with ‘federalization of government’ or an alternative world view apart from the practicalities of pork.
We all know that Sen. Murkowski hates the Trump way. hat’s not because Trump has screwed Alaska, it goes back to bad blood and hurt feelings of years ago that redound to antagonism that has preempted Alaskan pragmatism.
I should think any Alaskan pragmatist would wonder about Mary Peltola. Her lifetime record of overall 17% absenteeism is notable. Also, her promises seem more ideological than practical. She says she’s going to institute term limits.’ WHAT? Are long-termers’in the Senate likely to be persuaded by a rookie maverick Democrat who says, Ignore Party, and politics –her latest campaign ploy, to vote for retiring themselves?
I wouldn’t count on Lisa’s vote for that one. And what can Mary do about overpriced ammo when her party is for ammo control?
It’s a mess. I don’t know what standard of function unhappy people are using these days. if you hate Trump and will vote for ‘the other party’ because of that or because you’ don’t really think a nuclear armed Iran is a problem, that’s your choice. It isn’t how I’d choose to check out, (radiation sickness or being beheaded for not converting to Shia Islam), but I’ll be swept along by the whim of the majority.
Being out on the end of the survival curve might not be a bad thing. Of course, I still believe the constitutional system is robust enough it can survive the Democratic Socialists, the trials and triumphs of Ilhan Omar, or Abdul the Michigander’s fantasies. Or maybe even. Dan Sullivan agreeing with Donald Trump for that matter.
Perhaps I’ve got my head in the snow here.
Wayne Heimer has just begun his 59th year living in Fairbanks and paying attention to, but not being consumed by, national and Alaskan politics.
5 thoughts on “Wayne Heimer: What’s really important about a candidate?”
The long-time Alaskans are starting to speak out. The new arrivals, especially those with environmental, biological sciences, and law degrees are the ones trying to change Alaska into a Marxist society. They were brainwashed before they arrived and now they are spreading their DEI, climate action, CRT, and LGBTQ bullshit into our public schools and into our lives. Time to fight back. Hard!
Has JKT ever held a real job? A 37-year old momma’s boy, who lives at home, and prefers men over women is not the kind of person to lead Alaska. Far, far from it.
Not sure the point of this essay.
Not sure the point of you being here.
The point is on his head