Sarah Palin's true reality: 'Free' Alaska is a welfare state that enjoys generous federal subsidies

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by Michael Daly

Make sure to check out the premiere of "Sarah Palin's Alaska" Sunday night.

After all, we helped bankroll it.

I don't mean the new reality show.

I mean the state.

Alaska gets $1.84 in federal spending for every dollar it pays in federal taxes.

We in New York get just 79 cents on the dollar.

Which means we subsidize Alaska even as it enjoys a $2 billion-plus budget surplus.

Even as New York faces a huge deficit that will require ever more painful cuts.

And, on top of a budget surplus, Alaska has a special fund drawn from oil profits that doles out dough to every resident annually.

The check this year is $1,281 for each and every person who has resided in Alaska for a year. Those who die or are born in the midst of a year still get the full check.

The amount is liable to federal taxation, but that same $1.84 back for every dollar comes into play for the state as a whole.

All told, oil-rich Alaska tops the list of states that get more back than what they give.

So, how's that subsidy, welfare-y thing working out for ya, Sarah?

Apparently, pretty well, as she tells it on her new reality show.

"I love Alaska," Palin says in the online promo. "I understand the uniqueness of this land. It's about family and community."

She adds, "I'd rather be out here being free."

In real reality, Palin quit being governor because it would have required her to spend too much time in Alaska rather than in the lower 48, where she can promote herself and her agenda.

As shown in the reality show, Alaska has abundant wildlife and vast open spaces, but precious few voters.

However much or little Palin may like the great outdoors, there is no question that she loves a big crowd.

Grizzly bears don't laugh or cheer when you tell jokes about mama grizzlies, but those Tea Party crowds sure do.

Anyway, the only reason she is doing the reality show in the first place is to get paid and appear before a big viewing audience.

Maybe there will be more reality shows featuring other big names in the Tea Party who call for cuts in government spending even as their home states are subsidized by the rest of us.

There could be Sen. Jim DeMint's South Carolina, which gets $1.35 on the dollar.

There could also be Sen.-elect Rand Paul's Kentucky, which rakes in $1.51.

Compare those states to two that are in financial crisis and suffer an even worse balance of payments than we do in New York.

California receives only 78 cents on the dollar.

And New Jersey gets just 61 cents, though it does have a hit reality show.

The fans of "Jersey Shore" include the younger Daly girl, who expressed some surprise on hearing that Palin is participating in a reality show.

"You don't want Snooki in the White House," my daughter noted.

Just imagine the Situation in the Situation Room.

Only Palin is no Snooki and the Alaska show may actually further what seems to be her ultimate ambition.

In every state, class is almost as much a factor in our politics as race. The show may help convince even more white working people that Palin is one of their own. The subtext is that liberals are elitists, which is at least partly true.

Palin clearly harbors hopes that such passions will carry her into the White House.

If not, she can just go back to Sarah Palin's Alaska and enjoy that subsidy welfare-y thing.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/11/14/2010-11-14_palins_true_reality_free_alaska_is_a_welfare_state_that_enjoys_generous_federal_.html

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Screenshot from her new show:

[sly_wolf 199]

Screenshot from her new show:

Jenna is much better and I would vote for her over this one anytime

[Ban Hammer 13,474]

In real reality, Palin quit being governor because it would have required her to spend too much time in Alaska rather than in the lower 48, where she can promote herself and her agenda.

all states are lower than alaska in latitude. that should be 49, not 48, unless the author of this drivel is living pre 1959.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

[alienlovechild 75]

Alaska gets $1.84 in federal spending for every dollar it pays in federal taxes.

We in New York get just 79 cents on the dollar.

Which means we subsidize Alaska even as it enjoys a $2 billion-plus budget surplus.

Even as New York faces a huge deficit that will require ever more painful cuts.

Pretty bad article that does nothing to explain why some states get more back from the federal government than they pay in taxes.

Here's a hint, Palin didn't start it. . .

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Here's a hint, Palin didn't start it. . .

To be true to her rhetoric, she would have sought to end it, though. Did she?

[alienlovechild 75]

To be true to her rhetoric, she would have sought to end it, though. Did she?

You mean just like must liberal congressmen support military bases and defense industries in their states yet rail against high defense spending?

In any case you don't know why there are donor states to begin with so my main point stands unchallenged and again Palin is in the vast majority as nearly every pol brags about getting money from DC so it's pointless to attack one person who isn't in office now anyway.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

...my main point stands unchallenged and again Palin is in the vast majority as nearly every pol brags about getting money from DC...

Well, most politicians that brag about getting money from DC don't attack the federal government like Palin does. She's talking out of both sides of her mouth and it's fair to point that out. Her rhetoric isn't met by her actions. Plain and simple.

Edited November 17, 2010 by Mr. Big Dog

[Mnemosyne 4]

There should also be a 'Free' Russia. After all, Alaska and Russia are neighbors.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

There should also be a 'Free' Russia. After all, Alaska and Russia are neighbors.

And Sarah can see that Russia from her back porch. How can we allow her to look at a suppressed nation?

[Mnemosyne 4]

And Sarah can see that Russia from her back porch. How can we allow her to look at a suppressed nation?

How can Palin even become a topic every single day?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

How can Palin even become a topic every single day?

She's ridiculous enough. And there are enough even more ridiculous people out there taking her seriously. That's how.

[sly_wolf 199]

She's ridiculous enough. And there are enough even more ridiculous people out there taking her seriously. That's how.