2008 - a Year We'll Remember

The hegemony over Alaskan politics by a Republican Party machine whose motto has always been "Me First After the Big Oil Companies Get Theirs" is about to end. The Federal probe into the corruption of our political system by cynics who have been constantly creating special deals for friends and family at your expense is about to throw out its next set of indictments. Chances are that they will reach higher into the ranks of sitting and former politicians and other prominent figures in Alaska and elsewhere than they so far have.

The house that Ted and Don and Frank and Randy and Lyda built is coming down. This is sad in so many ways. All five of the people I just mentioned have done some good things for us. In Ted's case, he has done many good things for people in other parts of the USA and the world.

But the house has to come down. The first pallet of 2x6's in trying to control the building of the new house was set down yesterday by GOP big oil's newest cutout figure, Rep. Kevin Meyer (R - Conoco-Phillips). Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux and Gov. Sarah Palin both have announced they intend to introduce ethics proposals.

Where are the Democrats? Three, count them, three Republicans are out there with ethics reform plans. The Democratic Party has supported the Alaskans for Clean Elections initiative, but few Democrats serving in office or running for office have been forthcoming in support of the initiative.

I'd like to see Rep. Mike Doogan come up with something, uh, revolutionary. Former Rep. Ray Metcalfe already has, by proposing that APOC be abolished, and that a new regime outside of the executive and legislative branches be put in place to police our now nationally famous political customs.