Letter to the Editor
Begich’s plan
Published Monday, July 7, 2008
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To the editor:
Fairbanks has an energy crisis on its hands. Last winter was just a precursor to the reality that we are going to face this winter with heating our living spaces. I am glad to see that Mark Begich, the U.S. Senate candidate, has released an energy plan that offers solutions for the hard issues Fairbanks is facing.
As our energy costs have skyrocketed, Mark has stepped forward to provide leadership on the most important issue facing our communities. Mark has insisted that any natural gas pipeline proposal include spur lines to service Interior Alaska. He favors development of ANWR and extending development of our natural resources. In addition, Mark believes that we must solve this long-term problem by increasing our dependence on renewable resources.
Our congressional delegation needs a member that has immediate and long-term solutions and that person needs to be Mark Begich. He will provide Fairbanks with a national voice, fighting for our needs.
Community Discussion
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hmmmmmm
sounds like the typical hum-drum.....
give us real meat and potatoes proposals...than I'll vote for you
just saying 'im gonna open ANWR' and 'I am gonna power the interior for free with windmills' is not enough.....
give us your detailed plan, man...i'm sick of hearing things like
'I stand for change' but then getting nothing more....
Please - just tell me the truth - - I can take it...show me you are a man/woman of your word....give me real solutions AND hope....then you will have my vote
looks like another scripted letter to the editor.
I seem to recall Governor Tony Knowles promising the same thing but he couldn't get his plan to Drill in ANWR through the Senate or House of Representatives.
This is one of the MANY reasons that I cannot and will not vote for a Democrat (except, possibly, through "not voting" for the Republican Nominee/Candidate)...
More hot air, when will we ever get someone with the guts to just say in detail what his/her real plans are, not just what they THINK we wont to hear? Perhaps the King idea was not so bad afterall....
The last time I checked, Mark Begich was running as a Democrat. Also, the last time I checked, the democrats in both houses of congress have voted against drilling for more oil and increasing the number of nuclear power plants or oil refineries. And because the democratic party is beholden to it’s save the polar bear, save the whales, protect the spotted owl extremist environmentalist masters; I doubt they’re even going to approve the building of more hydroelectric power plants, because they might harm the little fishes.
Furthermore, while democrats keep repeating this nonsense about renewable energies, they’ve yet to suggest how poor families in the inner city are supposed to afford $20,000 solar power systems. Nor have they suggested how renewable resources, which account for a meager percentage of the nation’s power generation, can ever be the main source of power.
Basically, while democrats like Mr. Begich have pointed out the republicans’ lack of answers to the energy problem, they yet to come up with any feasible ideas of their own. Mr. Begich is a typical democrat and sending him, or any republican candidate, to Washington D.C. is not going to make any difference.
Here's a thought...
Let's take 350 million (the FlintHills purchase price) out of the Permanent fund and buy the oil refinery in North Pole.
Most of the stock is state royalty oil anyway. We could then run the refinery with Alaskan owned oil, for the benefit of the people of Alaska.
There's enough royalty oil to provide all the energy we need, and still make jet fuel, naphtha, kerosene, etc. to sell to the Air Force, the airlines, and the Asian Rim countries.
It would be a profitable concern, and would pay back the 350 million into the Permanent Fund over time.
Sounds like a typical campaign for votes ... not impressed.
Another thought....
When companies successfully bid and get oil leases, whether state or federal, there should be a time limit within which they must start to improve and ultimately bring oil (or gas if we ever get that pipeline built) to market from that lease.
Failure to do so should result in their forfeiture of that lease back to the leasing entity. If the leasing entity has to go to court to get that lease back, then that company can't bid on leases for a specified period of time.
HOWEVER, if the company were able to be mature and operating with integrity, and determined they couldn't meet the deadline in an economically viable way, they would then be able to return the lease to the leasing entity... no harm no foul... and would not be barred for bidding on futute leases for whatever specified time was decided on.
Hmmmmm
i'm just not ever going to vote for an anchorage liberal.
After reading the lettter it sounds to me like Mr. Begich has not read AGIA which requires that any gas line have spur lines for in-state take off and he does not know our Congressional Delegations have forwarded legislation in every session to open ANWR for drilling. Could our potential Senator be so uninformed about the State of the State or is the Letter just to let us know that he agrees about Alaska issues as a get to know you introduction?
Where does he stand on social issues like gun control, health care, abortion, gay marriage, and the environment? What are his thoughts on the war on terrorism, National Defense, and the BRAC process? Is he a fiscal conservative and does he have a plan to reduce the national debt, increase the value of the dollar, fund the government, and save the world without raising taxes?
That's a lot to ask from a potential Senator, but to get people to agree on the easy no-brainer issues is not a stretch. I want to know where he disagrees or agrees with his party's stance. We deserve to know what issues the candidates are not in agreement with our personal views before we cast a vote. I know a Junior Senator from Alaska will not have a lot of plans, but I think the torch is going to be passed if we have a strong candidate to replace our Senior Statesman.
I remember just how much promises from prominent Democrats were worth when, after promising utopia to get elected and then, after a short time in office, Governor Cowper said: "Things are a lot worse than I thought. All promises are off."
Mayor Begich is a graduate of the same school. Promise the world to get elected. Then, "refine" your position after you get in office. Same thing is now happening with Obama now that he has won the Democrat primary.
Clio~
I see one problem with your suggestion. It makes too much sense! Commen sense seems to go away the further up the power ladder you move.
Change the name from Begich to Stevens in the letter and it would still be accurate. Hot air trivia to get your attention....your vote I suppose. Name a candidate from Alaska who ain't for opening ANWR. What Alaskan candidate will not support a supply of natural gas for Alaskans from any pipeline being built? It's that time of year folks. The bull starts now and it won't be over until we cast our vote. Right now I'd like to vote for that quiet candidate in the corner who wants to give it a try and won't promise you anything he/she can't possibly deliver. My vote may be wasted but I'll feel better when I leave my mark in the ballot box.
You want to see Begich's vision for Alaska, go check out Anchorage. What a joke
To the common person this election may come down to simply meat and potatoes. In my own experience I wonder do I give up one thing to pay for another. I no longer am able to go on vacation because it is too much money. I wonder at this rate do I turn off the heat just so I can eat. I got rid of my car which was like an anchor around my neck and bought a bus pass. Will I no longer be able to afford to ride the bus because the prices go up? It a good thing this state has subsistance or I might starve. I'm ready to go get a few more blankets. I'm ever thinking about a wood stove. ...Daniel A. Berry
Clio -
there is a time limit on the leases and they do go back to the government when not acted upon....
Look it up
Then we need to shorten the timeframe!
Mayor Begich is anti-gunner. He may have pulled out of NYC Mayor Bloomberg's "Mayors Against Illegal Guns", but I bet you he still believes government should restrict our 2nd Amendment Rights.
http://alaskapride.blogspot.com/2007/02/...
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