Where Did Your Stolen Dividends Go?

Contributed by Jessica Wright

Alaskans weren’t happy that their dividends were capped the last four years. It will soon to be years if Dunleavy cannot successfully block the legislature to take our dividends again.

The estimate amount of stolen dividends is close to $8867; (2150+1145+2012+1400+2160 = 8867) per person between 2016-2020 based on Jim Crawford’s calculation in 2018 and my calculation in 2019 and 2020.

Why is our state legislature so determined to take our dividends even though Governor Walker is no longer in charge? The answer to that is the deep state in Juneau has controlled our legislature, and they want our dividends to pay for their government programs. Let’s look at the state expenditures and find out where do your stolen dividends go?

According to FY 2019 Federal Revenue Allocation, revenue in operating and capital budgets, by recipient agency:

1.       Health and Social Services: 71%

2.       Education and Early Development: 9%

3.       UAA: 5%

4.       Labor: 3%

5.       Other: 12%

Looking at our state budget report, it was from $3.8 billion jumped to 5.2 billion just in health and social services. Why? It was due to the Walker’s medicaid expansion sine 2008. Ever since he took over the office, he decided to adopt all 26 elective or non-essential services while other states adopt only a few. The medicaid covered 44,000 people in 2008 to 219,000 people in 2018.

Our quest now is to reduce the cost on health and social services.

Here’s some suggestions:

1.       Forego the Medicaid Expansion: We don’t need the expanded version, but the basic. We don’t need to pay for the sex exchange, abortion, dental services…

2.       Privatize It: A sure way to trim the cost is to privatize it.

3.       Pay for Alaskans Only: We need to focus on the real Alaskan residents, not anyone who move here to receive the services and leave. There should be a length of residence of minimum two years for us to pay for their expensive necessary medical procedures.

It’s a well-known fact that people used to move here to get employment, but now people move here to get benefits. We do not want Alaska to turn into a welfare state, but the Walker’s Medicaid Expansion Program is using our dividends to pay for their extravagant medical expenses. We don’t want our state to be the next California or Oregon or Virginia. If we keep this up, we won’t see any prosperity, but hardship which unfortunately has already happened.

We were at the last place in economy in 2017 even with our rich natural resources. History has proved Socialism does not work. Those who practices Socialism only end up with destitution. Look at Venezuela who once was a wealthy country with rich natural resources like Alaska, but with the naive thought of practicing Socialism made them lose their freedom and wealth. Their people now often go hungry and many people flee from their country.

The danger of keeping Walker’s medicaid expansion is the ever-increasing cost. The cost jumped from $3.7 billion to $5.4 billion from 2018 to 2020. If we don’t trim the cost right now, we see the trend coming from the legislature, proposing a 80/20 formula to replace the traditional 50/50 formula which must not occur without a vote of the people.

We have seen the dividend been paid around $1000 each year; but in reality, it should be $2500-$3000 the last 4-5 years. Liberals have been mocking our dividends and call it a welfare check even though we know it’s for our mineral rights. Many of them are eyeing our PFD.

My dear fellow Alaskan, I plead with you to take this matter seriously because our PFD is our wealth and inheritance. If you allow these people deplete our PFD, we will have no revenue to back us up. You may encounter some people who laugh at you and say you are so poor, that you have to count on your dividend check every year. But we all know PFD is more than a dividend check, it’s our shared resources. The perfect balance between private and public sectors, we must have 50-50 or no deal.

Furthermore, we must require that our shared dividend be restricted from direct general fund transfers. The CBR is a protected account that should be used for earnings account transfers to the public sector. Federal matching is their request, but not from our mineral rights which should not be used to pick winners and looser, but to benefit all.

Without the PFD, we have nothing. Do you really want to see our state go bankrupt because we are subject to the deep state in Juneau?

We need to register to vote and vote these PFD thieves out in this election cycle particularly in Primary Election during August 10-18, 2020 when all challengers are up facing the incumbents so we can save our PFD and our state.

Alaska, it’s time to rise up and break our yoke and take control of our state by voting them out. Time to fire AKLEG!!!!

To Consume or Not

Contributed by Joe Ford

Tired of the malfeasance and thievery taking place at the highest levels of our federal government?

Tired of seeing your tax money go to people that already have too much money and don't pay taxes anyway?

Tired of seeing the federal government spend billions of your money annually on stupid wars and even stupider weapons systems?

Then stop buying stupid stuff!

Consumption is 70% of our economy and it is that money that gives our inept leaders the big stick to travel the world beating poor people with.

Been stuck in your house for the last month chompin' at the bit to get out there and resume recreational consumption? Please reconsider.

I understand the regular rat race allows little time to dig deep into current issues and gain an understanding of the nuances underlying this system but we've been shut down for a month.

Plenty of time.

Log off FortNite, tune out of Netflix, ignore all the outlets of distraction promoted, with a greasy, million dollar smile, by our  mainstream "journalists" and find sources that offer real news and detailed analysis of the lies and corruption we're being fed by the people driving this train wreck.

Real information is as hard to come by as getting a handle on pentagon expenditures.

That is by design. Relevant reality does not serve the system.

If Fox News viewers knew the many ways they were being fleeced, the Tea Party would all become Independents.

If mainstream media viewers understood the reasons they can barely keep their heads above water, political heads would roll.

If red states realized the many ways they were being screwed, they might turn blue… maybe pink.

Nobody in power wants that 'cause that would be the end of their power.

Big corporations and the CEOs in charge get to divvy up a half a trillion dollars of aid money, not to mention the trillions being passed out behind the curtain, through a program with loopholes big enough to drive private jets through on thier way to secluded retreats to wait out the pandemic while we get a thousand bucks for some beer and some Hulu.

I wish Trump would retreat to his gaudy New York digs to ride out the crisis. I wish he would invite Pence and the entire congress to join him in the tower. Bring your families. Entice them with free accommodations and an open bar. Reality-based pols would decline the opportunity, but Moscow Mitch and his crew would gladly join Pelosi and her sycophants to feed at another trough. Then we shut the city down, cut their supplies and bar the exits. Make a no-fly zone like 911. Check back in a month and see if the virus left anyone alive.

Start over.

I live in a bus. I opted out many moons ago. This virus has given 2.5 billion people a taste of what they can live without. Factories have shut down, airlines hardly have any costumers, the cruise industry has come to a halt and the oil industry can't find a place to sell their poison but look, you can see the sky again. We can breathe easier. Pundits pining for a return to "normality" have a skewed vision of what normal could and should be. Capitalism is competition. Where would cooperation take us?

Some Talk, But Won’t Hold The Line

Contributed by Lance Roberts

We’ve reached the end of the legislative session and have learned the same hard lesson we learn every year. There are many politicians who talk good about what they’ll do, but when push comes to shove they won’t do what’s right. Let’s go over what happened recently in Juneau.

Alaska is in the middle of the virus scare: businesses are being shut down and many people are out of work. The governor asked the legislature to pay back some of the PFD money that wasn’t paid in the past to help out the people of Alaska. On March 23, the Senate refused to pay back any of the money owed by one vote, but Sen. Mike Shower was able to get an amendment passed for a $1,000 stimulus check in the spring (the PFD in the fall had already been cut down to 22% of the Earnings Reserve withdrawal, $1,000). The vote was 12-7, but one senator changed her mind but wasn’t allowed to revote, so really it was 11-8.

The House refused to give any stimulus or larger PFD, though it made sure to increase the budget for government. A conference committee was called between the two, and three of the RINOs - Republican-in-name-only - and one of the Democrats voted to yank that $1,000 stimulus check out. So, don’t expect any help from the State.

It’s actually much worse than that. They put a poison pill in the Conference Committee bill substitute that said if the conservatives didn’t vote for the funding to come out of the Constitutional Budget Reserve, then not only would the PFD be cut in half to $500, but they also wouldn’t fund the coronavirus response money. That’s right, they gambled and blackmailed over your lives. It was the cruelest, most malicious thing I’ve ever seen come out of Juneau, and that’s saying a lot. Senate and House leadership led by Bryce Edgmon, Steve Thompson, Cathy Giessel, John Coghill and Click Bishop were instrumental in making that deal with the devil.

The usual response in a rational environment would be that when it got back to the Senate, those who voted for the stimulus would vote no on concurrence with the substitute, and they’d have to go back to negotiations. What happened was the all-too-usual thing in Juneau: Three of the senators - Peter Micchiche from the Kenai Peninsula and Josh Revak from Anchorage, both of whom voted against paying back the PFD, and David Wilson from the Mat-Su - changed their stands on this and voted for concurrence.

In the House, the Democrat-led majority easily passed the concurrence vote. It was questionable whether the House would give into blackmail, since just three days earlier it had put out a press release saying that it committed to protecting the Constitutional Budget Reserve. When the dust settled, the blackmailers had got exactly the 30 votes they needed. All of the Republicans from Fairbanks in the House and the Senate voted for this monstrosity. Oh, it gets worse. The vote didn’t just tap the last of the money in the CBR, it also stopped a “reverse sweep” from happening that would have put money from state accounts (slush funds) back into the CBR.

They just passed the largest budget in Alaska history.

Two years ago, we changed out 25% of the legislature, and it looks like we’re not done yet. On critical issues in the last two years we were always within a small margin of votes, many times just one vote. I would like to encourage those who are tired of our legislature spending our future into the grave to step up. Many of those incumbents need an opponent to remind them that the people still care about what is going on and hold their feet to the fire. Alaskans need people there who really care about them.

Letter to Gov. Dunleavy

Contributed by Paul Johnson

I am writing to propose a plan to get Alaska’s economy back up and running on an intrastate basis. The Nonessential Interstate Travel Ban Mandate MUST remain in effect until there are reliable treatments for Covid-19 and a safe vaccine can be found. The Intrastate Travel Ban SHOULD remain in effect until the end of April, which should expose all of the existing cases in Alaska, as of now.

At that point, every Alaskan should have been tested and cleared either way. If that is the case, the intrastate ban could be lifted, with provisions for communities on the highway system to only shop in their communities (a simple I.D. check to match community w/address) in order to stop the inter-community hoarding. Then Alaskans could start serving Alaskans again, just like before the “Pipeline Days”.

Remember, back when all we had was the fishing industry (gone for this summer) the timber industry, the coal industry (test everyone first) and tourism (also gone for at least this summer) and we got along just fine? It was a circular economy with the same few hundred million changing hands on a constant basis. Alaska’s money wasn’t going “outside” at the rate it is now, with the advent of the WWW, Amazon and the like, either.

I’m not suggesting succession from the Union, as many have in the past. I’m being bluntly realistic. The North Slope is shutdown thanks to the oil company’s ignorance of the local hire laws and the State’s lack of enforcement of those laws. Bristol Bay has already come to the realization their season is shot and the natives of Western Alaska won’t be fooled again, by the white man’s lies. As noted before, the cruise ships and airlines aren’t coming back for at least a year, either. So why try to force the issue and “invite” Covid-19 back into Alaska, WE SHOULDN’T!

What you SHOULD be doing is looking out for the wellbeing of every Alaskan, getting out ahead of this and embracing a “New Normal”. You SHOULD also be making plans on how to protect the Bristol Bay Fishery. With no one out and about, the Chinese & the Russians are going to RAPE it. Covid-19 has fundamentally changed how the entire planet has to do business, at least for now.

A key component of this is to keep the Nonessential Interstate Travel Ban in place for as long as it takes to fulfill the two basic parameters noted above, treatment and a vaccine. It would be foolhardy to “invite” this deadly virus back into Alaska without, at least, the former in place. Other states would be wise to follow along. That’s up to them. I’m concerned for my fellow Alaskans. Plus, we have a geographical advantage over the Lower 48, and the rest of the world for that matter. We control the ports, airports and rail way. We just can’t keep letting slope workers from outside slip from one plane to their Prudhoe Bay flight, unnoticed, anymore. Or let China Air Cargo pilots go wandering through our largest city, INFECTED. Every single case of Covid-19 in Alaska today, can be directly traced to TRAVEL to and from the outside. STOP THE TRAVEL, STOP THE VIRUS.

Those who do choose to, or have to leave Alaska and return home, would be subject to the 14-day quarantining already in place, upon their return. However, this would be a monitored quarantine at that person’s expense. This would cause people to think long and hard if this is actually “Essential Travel”. It would also root out a lot of snow birds who collect PFDs. And seasonal, out of state, lodge operators. (Alaska’s money leaving Alaska.)

Finally, imagine Alaskans getting to enjoy Alaska for themselves. The charter boats, the train, Denali, hunting, fishing and RV-ing, all without the hordes of tourists running around. Due to ongoing social distancing rules, combat fishing would have to be outlawed though. In my eyes, that’s a plus too!

If we all pull together and support one and other, we can do this. We did it before the pipeline and all that oil money, we can sure as hell do it during Covid-19. The business’ tied to the tourist industry could cut Alaskans a break. After all, we’re the only ones that will be keeping them afloat this summer. So what do you say, Alaska for Alaskans or, I just want things to get back to normal?

Those days are GONE, step up to the plate. Choose Alaska for Alaskans! We will be a stronger, healthier, happier, state for it.

Legislature’s Mistake Will Cost Alaska & Alaskans

Contributed by Lawrence D. Wood

I sent an e-mail to the entire legislature awarding the Noble Order of the Blue Falcon with a left-handed salute to those legislators who voted to remove the emergency multiple PFD payments contained in the governor’s COVID-19 aid package.

The emergency declarations and the fall-out from the COVID-19 emergency are now hitting Alaskans hard. Businesses are being destroyed, employees laid-off, the misery and deprivation from this emergency are having a draconian effect upon Alaskans. A family member was laid-off in Conoco’s cessation of its drilling operations on the North Slope. Friends have been laid-off from their jobs, because of businesses having to shut their doors by edict.

If Conoco has stood down, there will be worse news to come. The recovery we were enjoying from the 2014 oil price crash is shattered.

The recent oil price crash is part politics, but also, very much so, a matter of declining demand due to economic inactivity. The price crash was about OPEC and the Russians halting the U.S. oil production and regaining market share in a failing global economy.

There are those in the Legislature who believed the PFD money would be squandered by those in the Bush for drugs and booze. In their infinite wisdom, they chose to allegedly save a percentage of the 15% of Alaska’s population that is Native from themselves by penalizing all 730,000 of us and insuring the destruction of the economy. That was painting with a rather broad brush with respect to penalizing the many for the sins of a few.

I understand that there was some confusion by some of those legislators regarding what was meant by the COVID-19 aid in the justification for Noble Order of the Blue Falcon citation issued. I was referring to the multi-payment proposed from the PFD amounts still owed and the current PFD. These are the only monies that would have given a direct benefit to a shattered economy and allowed Alaskans some degree of solace and hope in what is a very confusing, fearful and draconian response by government to this emergency. That money would have gone directly to the people to pay business for needed goods and services.

In this emergency, no one is in a position to squander a dime.

Further, it is believed that money, issued under the governor’s emergency declaration would have been subject to federal repayment for all or a percentage thereof as part of the federal response, given the existing federal declaration of emergency. Senator Cathy Giessel and Speaker Edgmon and the rest of the elitist snobs may have played the Grinch without cause

I was dumbfounded that both former Governor Sean Parnell and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich could possibly agree on anything, but they did in proposing a multiple payment plan, and that plan, or the governor’s or one proposed by Sen. Costello, or even this peasant, should have gone forward. No. Can’t be done. Yes, it could have.

Senator Giessel and Speaker Edgmon and others chose to destroy the economy of the state and cast great misery and consternation upon all, because these elitist snobs thought someone would squander a dime?

How arrogant of you Giessel, Edgmon, etc. You penalize the many for what a few might do? You would let people, families, kids suffer deprivation, because you think someone might squander a dime? Incredible!

Further, what joke that attitude is! Alaska is in 51st place in 4th grade literacy amongst the states in education, and 50th in public safety, jobs and opportunity.

How many billions have we spent to achieve those lackluster achievements? Many of you were responsible for those failures. You just kept shoveling the money into a hole, without demanding accountability.

It’s Time For A Spending Cap That Works

Contributed by Ben Wilterdink

Alaska is in the midst of a perfect fiscal storm. The coronavirus has forced the temporary closure of many businesses throughout the state, and global events have pushed oil prices – and state revenues – to near historic lows.

Even before the present crisis, our state faced large budget deficits and tough decisions about how to make ends meet. Just as Alaskans have come together to solve past crises, so too will these current challenges be overcome. But as Alaskans look to the future and develop plans for an economic recovery, it is essential to minimize uncertainty and prioritize stability. That’s why adopting a functional limit on the growth in state spending is essential for long-term economic success.

By limiting the growth of state spending, Alaskans can ensure a stable and sustainable state budget that greatly reduces the risk that sudden changes in revenue needs will leave businesses and individuals picking up the tab. Moreover, a functional limit in the growth of state spending decreases the temptation to dramatically increase spending when economic times are good, creating new budget expectations that are difficult to maintain during inevitable economic downturns, something that our state has struggled with in the past. Maintaining a predictable state budget, and the steady tax climate that accompanies it, greatly reduces the kind of uncertainty that discourages long-term investment. That kind of investment is the foundation of sustainable economic growth and development.

Technically, Alaska already has a constitutional spending cap in place, but the formula used renders it basically meaningless. Since its enactment in the 1980s, the cap has done nothing to control growth of the state’s actual spending, even during years with our highest levels of revenue.

While more than half of states currently have some form of tax and expenditure limit, the most effective is Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which constitutionally limits spending growth to the rate of inflation plus estimated population growth. The stable budget and tax climate created by TABOR has served Coloradans remarkably well. Over the past decade, Colorado’s gross state product (GSP) has grown by 45.5 percent, personal income has grown by 59.5 percent, and non-farm payroll employment has grown by 15.8 percent.

By comparison, during the same time period, Alaska’s GSP growth was 0 percent, personal income growth was 33.5 percent, and non-farm payroll employment growth was 0.3 percent. But it’s not just Colorado that has benefited from a functional tax and expenditure limit. Nationwide, states with tax and expenditure limits have outperformed states without them in GSP growth, personal income growth, and employment growth.

Based on the difference in economic performance between states with functional tax and expenditure limits and those without, a recent study estimated what Alaska’s economic outcomes would look like if a functional tax and expenditure limit had been adopted in 2008. The results are striking. If Alaska’s economic indicators had tracked with the outcomes experienced by states with functional tax and expenditure limits, our GSP would be $20 billion higher, personal income would be between $4 and $5 billion higher, and we would have 25,000 more jobs.

While Alaskans can’t retroactively adopt a meaningful spending limit, we can ensure that those economic benefits are captured going forward. Right now, the state’s economy is being squeezed from every angle and securing long-term investment will be a key component in charting a path out of the current fiscal malaise. Adopting a functional constitutional spending cap can provide the certainty necessary for sustainable economic development far into the future.

Ben Wilterdink is a Visiting Fellow at the Alaska Policy Forum and a resident of Anchorage.

God Bless America

Contributed by Wes Keller

Which will we recover from first, the COVID-19 virus, or the “financial solution/help/cure” for the virus?

It seems the “cure”, even if it was motivated in good faith to help elderly and vulnerable, may turn out to be worse than the disease! The unprecedented shutdown of the global economy has been willingly, almost eagerly, imposed by all of us, driven by a combination of fear and compassion. An enemy could not possibly have destroyed our economy to the extent we have done it to ourselves – in record time!

The impact of the unanimous decision to devalue the American dollar by printing 2.2 trillion new ones is incomprehensible. (2.2 trillion is approximately the number of seconds in 1,000 human lifetimes!... Ask SIRI!). This “cure” leaps into unknown, uncharted waters - a VERY COSTLY untested drug without clinical trials! Now, we watch for contraindications! It will likely produce spectacular harm to the American dollar, and to Americans who have grown to trust it!

While the overwhelming compassion, resiliency, and innovation we see in our threatened neighbors is heart-warming, we need to be alert for those who will exploit fear and greed for selfish gain by pretending to help. Could our government slip into this category if we are not careful? We need to be very slow to surrender more of our freedoms to an even larger government in exchange for pretense of providing security it cannot deliver!

Here is the simple formula for personal recovery from the “cure” (or the disease) I recommend:

1.      Take advantage of your self-imposed isolation to contemplate your worldview: Your “philosophy” on the source of government (God and His laws)

2.      Acknowledge God when you encounter your blemishes and weak spots (you will!) and dare to admit them.

3.      Adjust your own worldview, even if you have to tear it down to the starting point: Does God exist? Or not? If so, what does He want? Then rebuild. You have been given complete religious freedom to pursue answers. This is America! Nobody can force you to follow my advice or not. It is super encouraging to hear reports of this happening. Listen for them.

Consider our nation’s founding values. They do not place false faith in human government! The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of rights, and Federalist Papers make it very clear they had “faith” in something greater than the new government they were creating. Historically, we know we have depended on the “Creator”, “Supreme Judge”, and the moral absolutes (“Nature’s Law”). We know human government cannot deliver what is available from “Divine Providence”. We also know our faith is misplaced if we trust security from human government.

Consider, and be thankful for America’s exceptional prosperity. It CAN be recovered! America is the product of subscription to the very highest and best source of law. America stands tall compared to all other nations! Because of just laws, our cities are graced with parks, arts, cultural centers and world-class marketplaces. Our plains have become the source of food and goods, including crops and herds to fill our supermarkets. Our meats and grains are consumed world-wide! We produce and export vast amounts of energy from natural resources. We travel the globe in cars, buses, and airplanes. Our manufacturing, technology and science sets global standards. “Made in America” is a label to be proud of… a boast of the highest quality.

We are free! We are a beacon to the world held high by the Statue of Liberty. We have enjoyed generations of security. Nations determined to destroy us have themselves been destroyed. The Bill of Rights confirms our constitution respects everyone’s potential. It is no coincidence this review of “blessings” is suspiciously similar to the blessings recognized by Christians or Jews!

The conditional blessings promised in scripture to an ancient mid-eastern nation are still the desirable goal. Check out the promises recorded in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, 4:1-14 and Leviticus 25:18-22! While you read it, deal with the fact these blessings were specifically conditional; the consequences of obedience to “good” laws. Our Declaration of Independence presumes our foundation to be on the very same premises (laws) given to ancient Israel: “Nature’s law”, “Nature’s God”, the “Supreme Judge”, and “Divine Providence” all refer back to ancient truth… There is truly nothing new under the sun.

Contemplation on the source of law is called “jurisprudence”. Resulting thoughts are unavoidably “religious” thoughts. Consider, the constitution prohibiting the establishment of religion presumes the influence of religion. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary characterized “religion” as a relationship with the one true God (http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/religion).

As you know, this has ironically become a point of contention in the “maintenance” of our civil and criminal law (the job description for our legislatures).

Our road to recovery is inescapably tied to religious thought and renewal. John Adams wrote what was commonly understood and confirmed by virtually all other founders: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious [God-fearing] People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other”.

The “cure” for the “cure” starts with you!

Wes Keller

www.WesKeller.com

Corona Phenomena

Contributed by Huhnkie Lee

I was wondering whether I should title this article as it is, or as ‘corona la la land’.

It is because I was driving down the street and it was empty, like Alaska once was and I liked that.

But at the same time, I went to Walmart and couldn’t find a kitchen towel and I didn’t like that. But it was interesting though, like, zombie apocalypse or something.

We Americans are, surely enough, really enjoying this corona news of the day, it’s like addictive.

So, what’s going on here? Are we like, being in an amusement park, on a rollercoaster ride, or are we watching a horror movie, craving for a vicarious danger or simulated harm, knowing that we are all safe and sound behind the seatbelt and harness, behind the silver screen or something? Are we faking the fear just for the sake of having some exotic fun like, enacting the secular doomsday prophecy?

The sad thing is that we don’t get to see politicians these days quoting Mr. President F.D. Roosevelt’s, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” So why don’t politicians say it?

One blind spot of democracy is that politicians fear people. It could be a good thing or a bad thing. So, when people fear coronavirus, politicians fear it too, because politicians fear people. Ergo, politicians would never say, “Hey, coronavirus is nothing to be afraid of,” because if they say so, they will be unpopular and they will not be re-elected in the next election cycle. Politicians, they act like, a scared employee. A politician, whether s/he is a Republican or a Democrat, whether s/he is the President of the U.S. or a city council wo/man, a politician is always mindful of what people think of s/him. In other words, in democracy, a politician is not a leader, but a leadee, who get led by people, by the majoritarian, mainstream, by the herd, by the wagon to jump in and chime right in.

So… What should we do about this coronavirus? Anybody? Hmm?

If you ask me, I say this, “What should we do about coronavirus?”

Nothing. Yes, absolutely nothing. Why? Because, there is nothing special about coronavirus. So many Americans are afraid of coronavirus because they’re scientifically illiterate. Even so called “scientists” are afraid because they don’t know how to apply their knowledge to the real world situation, or they’re just afraid of the people en masse, just like politicians are.

So, let’s do some science. A virus is like, a very small quasi-organism with a protein coating that encapsulates a piece of DNA or RNA. A typical virus looks like a moon-landing space ship in a college biology textbook.

Fortunately, our human bodies, as well as plant or other animals, have immune system. We have white blood cells that produce so-called antibodies. An antibody is a protein complex that molds itself against a protein that is foreign to the host organism. When an exotic material comes into a person’s body, s/his immune system respond by producing antibodies in order to capture and surround that extraterrestrial matter. So an antibody is like, a custom-made handcuffs, so to speak. To capture that piece of strange protein foreign to a person’s body, it takes some time to learn and adapt for our immune system to prepare against a brand new pathogen. Coronavirus, it’s just latest.

So, what should we do about coronavirus? Nothing. My recommendation, just live your life as before. Go to work, do healthy diet, do regular exercise, do personal hygiene. Yes, do clean the bathroom, do the laundry, vacuum the carpets, bathe your pets, etc. Then you will be fine.

All these politicians in NY or CA… They are like, fearmongers, right? Shutting down the entire state? Stay at home?

Like many of us in the U.S., I think that’s not a good idea, forcing people to stay at home. Because, biologically speaking, your immune system weakens if your body is inactive. If you stay home 24/7, you will not be as healthy as you go out in active fashion. Health is all about blood flow in your body, a good rest, lean and fibrous nutrition from beans, veggies, etc.

Like many people in the world, I am blessed to have experienced some difficulties in my life back in the days, which roughened and toughened me. I’m a veteran of the U.S. Army and have been deployed in Afghanistan. I’m also, so privileged to be an Alaskan! I’ve been living in this fantastic place with fantastic people. We, we Alaskans are like, the last Americans. We’re like, the last free people in this country.

We’re tough people, you know. Coronavirus? Ha ha ha. That’s what I’d say. It’s a joke. Come on, guys and gals. It’s all in your mind. There’s nothing special or different about coronavirus. It’s all from fear of the unknown.

Then please, know. Learn biology. Stay in school, go Wikipedia or other websites. Learn about exercise, diet, hygiene. Ok? //!-)

Cosmetic Modifications for Dogs

Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates

Although it is not uncommon,  altering a dog’s body surgically is a very controversial topic. The surgeries involved in these modifications are ear cropping and tail docking. Organizations such as the American Kennel Club require certain qualifications for a purebred dog’s appearance and these are related to the function that the dog provided originally. 

For many of these dogs, this means ear cropping and docking tails. The American Kennel Club refuses to change their expectations for these dogs’ appearance, despite public opinion to stop these requirements.

A consequence of the change in the appearance of these dogs is that they are viewed as more aggressive. Dobermans, great danes, schnauzers, brussel griffons and boxers are some of the dogs that are viewed as dangerous as a result of these surgeries. Even the dogs’ owners are seen as more tough.

These procedures are cruel and inhumane. A human being has a choice about whether or not they decide to have cosmetic surgery, but a dog cannot do so. Typically, these dogs are just 8-12 weeks old when they have these surgeries imposed upon them. The pain and trauma is monumental and the psychological impact is equally dangerous. Dogs use their ears and tails to communicate and are damaged when they can no longer do so.

Many countries around the world have made tail docking and ear cropping illegal. However, the United States is not so humane and restrictions are rare.

And We Weep

Contributed by Robert Lyons

Tomorrow will come, until then unite

The fright of this fight leads to sorrow

Horror the death, lest we forget

We've met much before,

Towering hearts, we still stand

Spanning this land of power

Together apart, it’s a lot

As we grieve the empty spot

 of our fellow countrymen lost

This great sacrifice, will it suffice

Now we strive to beat the enemy

As we hide to alleviate the spread

We watch the numbers of the dead

And we weep...

Forever & Wherever (A Public Service Poem-Song)

Contributed by Wendy Brooker

A public service poem-song, an important message:

This is to share a poem-song I wrote for my kids when they were younger to let them know that no matter what was going on in our lives or in the world around us, they were loved. It’s called “Forever and Wherever”.

It’s important for people, especially children, to feel they are loved, especially when things aren’t going smoothly for whatever reason. I know there are families staying home, spending more time together, and maybe getting on each other's nerves. I hope this might help. Recite it (or sing it) to your kids. It might not be a bad idea to recite it or sing it to your siblings, spouse, or significant other either...

I love you when I’m happy.

I love you when I’m sad.

I love you when I’m proud of you.

I love you when I’m mad.

I love you in the night-time

and each and every day.

I love you – oh – so very much,

more than I can say.

I love you when you’re dirty.

I love you when you’re clean.

I love you when you’re sweet and kind

and even when you’re mean.

I love you right-side-up and upside-down

and sideways too.

I love you – oh – so very much

because I’m me and you’re you.

I love you when you’re healthy.

I love you when you’re sick.

I love you when you’re in my way

and when you’re way too quick.

I love you when we’re cuddled close

and when you’re far from me.

I love you now, forever,

and wherever you may be

If you’re interested, I recorded the simple melody I used when singing it to my kids and uploaded it to YouTube (the only thing I’ve ever youtubed). Look for Wendy Brooker, Forever and Wherever. Or make up your own melody!

OPTIONAL LINK: https://m.facebook.com/WBJustWondering/

(I’m not selling anything, just hoping to share this with whoever it might help)

Aureole

Contributed by Robert Lyons

I heard that a new cold front approaches

A killer flow of social inevitability

I heard the crushing blow as the bull buried its horn

Lose we all must to weather the storm

Shelfs lay forlorn, the herd stampede

Selfish to believe that you can see

When a thief in the night intends to conceive

A plan to make short work of we

But barren markets because of greed?

Empty stores from stupidity?

Shame on the people of this great country

So in need of unity, so lean in close

And hear these last words

Wash your hands, all is well

Is that true? Might as well be

Nobody can tell because the blizzard blows

Think about this

I heard the mushers were worried about the snow

Adopt Toffee

Contributed by Judy, Clear Creek Cat Rescue

All in warm, sweet camouflage, caramel and brown sugar, Toffee is a beautiful calico. She is maybe a year or two old.

Toffee is a little lover girl. She is affectionate and snuggly with her family. She does okay with the other critters in the house, but she would be fine if she was the only one. She was found outside, abandoned or lost and she was instantly purring to be inside with a family. She would like a yard to play in during the warm times. But she very much is hoping for a forever loving family who will never lose her or dump her. It's time for joy and cuddles for this sweetheart. 

She's in Wasilla. All adoptions will be done in safe mode, with no human-to-human contact. Please Call 980-8898.

Burchell Wellness Ambassadors: Promoting Health by Engaging Youth

Contributed by Noel Crowley Bell

Covid-19. It’s a fact of life that’s truly hard to escape. In the news, on our social media feeds, evident in the sparse traffic along our roads and the face masks that are gaining prominence as we move about undertaking our essential activities. For the record, this article is not directly about Covid-19. It is how a significant, serious respiratory virus disrupted a specific opportunity for activism by motivated local students while simultaneously highlighting the importance of their now cancelled event.

This article is to congratulate the hard work done by Burchell High Wellness Ambassadors. The Wellness Ambassadors are 9-12 graders who have chosen to invest in themselves and their fellow students by engaging in extracurricular activities to support the overall health and wellness of their peers and their school. I had the privilege of meeting with a select group of these students who, among other activities, have been amazing in the work they’ve undertaken to educate their peers on the importance of not using tobacco.

While traditional commercial tobacco use has been steadily declining in recent years; due in part to information and education with youth; the rise and use of e-cigarettes by youth has risen dramatically. In 2017 10% of high school students in Alaska smoked cigarettes while 15.7% used e-cigarettes. Compare this only 3.5% of adults in Alaska use e-cigarettes.1 This, along with other facts that point to ever increasing youth tobacco use of e-cigarettes, highlight the value of having youth leaders who are able to provide information about the importance of good health by sharing facts about the dangers tobacco use presents with their peers.

Burchell students did just that. They began by investing time working with Kris Green, Youth Tobacco Specialist of Cook Inlet tribal Council. Kris worked with students on the health risks associated with tobacco use and coached them to pilot a peer to peer tobacco curriculum they then taught to incoming Burchell 9th graders in the fall. School administrators like Jody Soeder, RN, their school nurse assisted in this, giving the students great support along with Principal Lincoln and Vice Principal Hietela.

In addition to this important work, the Wellness Ambassadors found time to organize and be involved in the National day of Youth Counter Tobacco Advocacy; Taking Down Tobacco, (formerly known as Kick Butts Day). 2020 marks year 25 for this day of youth led activism. Taking Down Tobacco is a project of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, as stated on their website, is “the leading advocacy organization working to reduce tobacco and its deadly consequences in the United States and around the world”.2 One important way this work is accomplished is through education and information provided to youth leadership in the U.S. and worldwide culminating in the annual day of advocacy each March 18.

Prior to Covid-19 health mandates the Wellness Ambassadors launched a call for entries from fellow students throughout the Mat-Su School District. They asked students to share the reason(s) why they believe they can #BeTheFirst tobacco free generation by Taking Down Tobacco. Winners were chosen and postcards printed in anticipation of engaging in outreach events to other schools on March 18.  Wellness Ambassadors were excited to share their knowledge and information with other students on that day, making sure other youth are aware of the dangers of tobacco use and how adolescents are most at risk. This is a short list of what they would have shared:

Nearly 9 out of 10 cigarette smokers first try cigarette smoking by age 18, and 98% first try smoking by age 26. Each day in the U.S. about 1,600 youth under 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette and nearly 200 youth under 18 years of age become daily cigarette smokers. In 2018, 67% of high school students and 49% of middle school students who used tobacco products in the past 30 days reported using a flavored tobacco product during that time. Results from the 2018 U.S. Youth Behavioral Risk Survey revealed the number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes rose from 3.6 million in 2018 to 5.4 million in 2019—a difference of about 1.8 million youth.3

It’s important to share that the disease which prevented the Wellness Ambassadors from engaging in their counter tobacco day of advocacy presents a danger to those currently using tobacco. Inhaled nicotine, through vaping or traditional cigarettes, weakens the protective lining of the lungs, paralyzing the tiny hair cells (cilia) that sweep the lung clear of foreign particles. Smokers already have widespread lung inflammation and micro-scarring that exacerbates the pneumonia firestorm caused by any virus – especially one as rampant as Covid-194.

In closing, thank you for the opportunity to share this story; it’s important to highlight the good work and efforts by our youth and talented local artists who invested their time to share why it’s more important than ever to I#takedowntobacco.

1 https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/smoking-region/tobacco-use-alaska-2019

2 https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/about

3 https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youth_data/tobacco_use/index.htm

4 https://tobacco21.org/covid-19/

Senior Education Classes: May 2020 Schedule

Contributed by Linda Myers-Steele

Senior Education classes are offered free (except for occasional supplies as noted). There are no tests, no grades and no homework. Wasilla Senior Center, 1301 Century Circle, Wasilla hosts the classes at no charge, and all the presenters are volunteers who are experts in their field!  Please join us: senioreducationwasilla@gmail.com.

The following scheduled is planned for May 2020. However, classes will be held only if the mandate to limit gatherings has been lifted due to COVID-19 concerns. Watch for local notices.

MAY 2020 SCHEDULE:

Independence Mine History & Operations

Tuesday, May 5th, 3:00PM-4:00PM

Learn about this local treasure located in the Hatchers Pass area.

Spring Gardening & New Thoughts About Extremely Warm Summers
Tuesday, May 12th, 3:00PM-4:0PM
Presented by Linda Myers-Steele, Master Gardener

Book Club “I Read What I Want To Read”
Tuesday, May 19, 3:00-4:00 p.m.(Meets every third Tuesday until May 2020)

Share a book summary and learn from others of interesting books. 

Facilitator: Andi Nations, Retired Public School Educator/Non-Profit Facilitator

Senior Education classes will be closed for the summer with plans to resume a schedule after Labor Day, September 2020. 

Adapt & Overcome

Contributed by Michael Consalo

It’s been a crazy few weeks to say the least, but I’ve been impressed with the creativity and flexibility of business owners.

While many are forced to shut their doors, it would be easy to give up and say, “Well, what can I do?” The true mark of who we are is not what we do when things are going well; but rather, when things are down. Will we fall under the pressure, or change and reshape ourselves? Even diamonds start as coal right?

As a business owner right now, it’s tough to navigate the proper protocols for Covid-19 and to even make sure that your business is “essential”.

Despite these challenges, one shop changed their whole business model over a weekend! Sara Squartsoff-Mckinley with Paint Nights with Sara just recently moved into a new location to host as many as 45 people, but when the Covid outbreak began, her business was forced to close their doors.

Instead of giving up, Sara went into action creating paint kits for kids with instructions, paints, brushes and a small canvas or piece of wood to paint, all delivered to your home for a reasonable fee of $15. She also recently released a new step by step video tutorial series called “I Paint with Sara”. Each week, Sara creates new videos and posts them into a group, in which members subscribe, that are great for all ages and levels.

Bringing art and color into people’s lives has always been a passion for Sara, and she is a great example of how you can be creative and roll with the punch, during tough times. You can find out more about Sara, her products, and her studio on her website, www.paintwithsara.com. Stay safe out there Alaska!

Playground Equipment Closure

Contributed by Mayor Bert Cottle

With the arrival of warmer weather and weeks of social distancing and indoor isolarion, the parks and playgrounds will become a source of additional entertainment and activity. However, we must still observe the governor’s mandate on gatherings and social distancing.

Playground equipment in our parks will be off limits effective immediately due to the inability to effectively and efficiently sanitize all the common “touch” surfaces that are exposed to the public and especially our children.

The parks will remain open for other activities, and we encourage our citizens to get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine that comes with this time of year. Walk, run, bike… Be creative with normal activities while still ensuring you keep six feet apart and don’t share common surfaces.

The measure listed above will be in effect until further notice.

As always, we encourage our residents and businesses to follow our best practices and to expand ways of social distancing so that the risk of community transmission is minimized.

The City is constantly evaluating for the future and will announce other measures as they become necessary and possible reopening as conditions allow.

We will get through these trying times if we all prepared mitigate exposure and support each other from a safe distance.

Thank you all for your flexibility as we navigate this together.

Sincerely,

Bert L. Cottle

Join Us in Support of Frontline Workers’ Mental Health

Contributed by Ben Rowell, Highway 3 Angler

While many of us are are quarantined at home and practicing social distancing, our frontline service workers are heading to work each day, putting themselves and their loved ones at-risk to help others in need and protect our communities.

As anglers, we are optimistic by nature. We recognize these are trying times, but we’ll get through it together. We also know the feeling of calm and rejuvenation that time spent on the water can bring someone.

That’s why Highway 3 Angler wants to partner with you to thank our frontline service workers by providing them the opportunity to enjoy time on the water with their loved ones this season.

Highway 3 Angler is seeking partners, individuals or businesses, to purchase a fly fishing float trip or a scenic float on a Susitna River tributary at a significant price reduction for our frontline service workers.

Here is how it works:

Purchase a fly-fishing float trip for two for $300 (regularly $500) or a scenic float for $225 (regularly $300) for a frontline service worker. Tell us if you have a specific type of frontline service worker you would like to receive the trip (medical, police, fire, food service, government, etc.) and we’ll use our contacts in those fields to identify a recipient. You may also tell us if there is a specific person, group, business or organization you’d like us to work with. As the gift giver, Highway 3 Angler will stay in touch with you throughout the process so you can be confident  your dollars were used appropriately.

Each trip purchased enters you into a drawing for a Yeti Loadout Bucket, including Loadout Lid and Loadout Caddy. Who doesn’t need one of those?

Thank you for your support and for thinking of our frontline service workers during these unusual times. Stay safe and stay healthy. We’ll get out on the water together as soon as it is safe to do so.

For more details on the partnership, visit highway3angler.com/thank-you.

MTA Providing Public WiFi Hot Spots to Keep Area Residents Connected Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Contributed by Jessica Gilbert, MTA PR Manager

Locally-owned and operated technology/communications cooperative, MTA has partnered with the City of Wasilla, the City of Palmer, the City of Houston and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to install “drive-in” WiFi hot spots in various parking lots that allow residents to connect while still respecting the need for social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

WiFi hot spots currently set up include:

·         Curtis D. Menard Center’s South Parking Lot

·         Matanuska-Susitna Borough Administration Building’s East Parking Lot

·         Houston Fire Station 9-1’s South Parking Lot

·         Palmer Library’s Front Parking Lot

·         Big Lake Library’s Parking Lot

“The need to close public spaces like libraries has left those who don’t have internet at home and who rely on hot spots without any way to get online. We wanted to work with the community to create a unique solution,” said Michael Burke, CEO of MTA. “We work every day to make sure we’re equipping members of our co-op and our community with the technology and resources they need to continue leading a connected life during this crisis.”

In addition to the public WiFi hot spots, MTA has taken a number of other actions to address this crisis, including temporarily suspending service disconnections, supporting students and educators with temporary service upgrades at no extra cost, and completing installations of new equipment without MTA specialists entering members’ homes.

For more updates and resources on MTA’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, including additional hot spots that may be built moving forward, please visit www.mtasolutions.com/covid-19/.

2020 Wasilla Community Clean-Up Days

Contributed by Joan Klapperich

(Please follow all COVID-19 mandates and limit all close contacts (people outside of a family unit) to be farther than six feet from each other to prevent the spread of the virus.)

All the winter snow is melting fast, and some of those bare areas are revealing some unsightly trash!  Get the family out of the house and help brighten the local parks, right of way, and public lands around Wasilla.  Take pride in beautifying your local community by picking up that ugly trash  and participate in the area wide City of Wasilla Clean Up Days May  4th – 9th!

How it works:  Pick up your free yellow ALPAR (Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling) bags  at the following locations: (or use any trash can liner you may have)

Wasilla City Hall:  (Finance Foyer), Menard Sports Center, Wasilla Museum, and the Wasilla  Chamber of Commerce.    

Families are required to provide their own personal protection and safety gear to pick up trash alongside the City streets, parks, and public lands.  Don’t forget to secure your load if needed by tarps, ropes, bungees, nets, and/or straps during transportation to the dumpster! 

Fill your yellow ALPAR bags and take them to the dumpster (it will be labeled Clean Up Days) located in Iditapark by Wonderland  in the parking lot next to the basketball courts off of Nelson Avenue.

Drop off your bags  during these designated times:  5pm – 7pm daily May 4-8th, and from 10am – 2pm on Saturday May 9th.   The dumpster will be  monitored  to prevent any household garbage, car parts, appliances, or hazardous materials from getting into the dumpster. DO NOT drop off any unattended bags at the dumpster site.  Items not allowed in dumpster:

Acid                                                                       Pesticides

Adhesives                                                           Photography Chemicals

Antifreeze                                                          Poisons

Batteries (NiCad, Lithium, etc.)   Printer ink Cartridges

Caustics                                                                Propane Tanks resins

Disinfectants                                                      Transmission Fluid

Engine Oil

Floor Wax

PCB’s (and PCB Ballasts)