[Grovenet] Fwd: McCain's dangerous choice

[David Morelli]

On Aug 30, 2008, at 7:26 PM, Walt Wentz wrote:

>> Dear MoveOn member,
>>
>> ...
>>
>> Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background:
...

Sarah Palin has the potential to provide some information to the  
Republican party to change some of their Reaganesque theories,  
although I doubt that she will.

She could explain to them that it is possible for a state to have an  
independent streak and still accept Federal money with federal strings.

Alaska relies upon the federal government for about 25% of the state  
government's budget.

Alaska relies upon additional federal spending of $9 Billion directly  
into the state economy, about $14,000 per capita.

She could explain that society can present an independent facade even  
when 26% of the Alaska work force is government workers.

She could explain that a state can still have a positive business  
climate even after the governor balances the state budget by raising  
taxes on the corporate sector.  For perspective, 88% of the  
unrestricted revenue in the Alaska state budget comes from oil  
corporations, and that is 42% of the total budget.  There are few  
taxes levied on individuals and the total contribution is small.

She could point out that some states already have half (or more) of  
the population on public funded health systems.

Alaska has 15.6% of the population with some claim to Indian Health  
Services, 17.1% of the population with some claim to Veteran's  
Administration services, 26% of the population as government workers  
with claim to military medical or government worker medical  
benefits.  As well as the services covered by the 26.8% of the state  
budget for state Health and Social Services.

While she should be aware of the shortcoming of each, she should be  
in a good position to suggest corrections.

On the other hand, she shouldn't suggest that science classes be  
opened to Creationism unless she is prepared to allow scientists to  
ridicule the source of the Creation Science theory as inconsistent,  
unscientific mythology.

David