What Would YOU Ask the Candidates?
~(L-R) EthaBerkowitz, Hollis French, Bob Poe
I listened yesterday to Bob Poe on “Studio 1080″ on KUDO 1080am, and then I listened to Ethan Berkowitz on Dan Fagan’s show on KFQD 750am. Then Sean Parnell announced his plan for a huge scholarship program. Then Rob Rosenfeld stepped out of the race. I’m getting all kinds of lovely invitations to attend fundraisers for the candidates. So, I’ve been thinking a lot about the governor’s race lately.
Each one of the three major Democratic candidates has pros and cons. That’s always the case. And each of us have issues that are “deal breakers.” We may like someone, but a particular position will nudge us to vote a different way. We may choose to vote based on electability, or based on personal contact, or a multitude of different things. Getting elected is both a science and an art.
So, I’ve been thinking about asking some questions of our gubernatorial candidates. But my questions may not be your questions, and my issues may not be your issues. So, I’d like to ask you what YOU would ask our candidates if you had their undivided attention? Then, I’ll go through your questions, and my questions, put together a list, and see what our candidates have to say. They may answer them and they may not, but I’ll let you know either way. And if they do answer, I’ll print their answers over the coming months so everyone can see them.
I don’t know how this election will go, but I do know this. The last time we voted for governor, a lot of us were either not paying attention, or voting based on things other than the content of the answers that were given to important questions. And that didn’t work out so well.
So, what would you ask? You can put questions in the comments section here, or you can send them to me via email to akmuckraker(at)yahoo(dot)com.
What priority will the basic needs of the rural Alaskans get? The elderly? Education?
I wanna ask Poe for a date, but he’s married. =( No questions other than that.
Here is a question for ALL the candidates: “Do YOU know Bob Poe?”
tee hee – I am not in AK, and will leave it up to AK State residents to weigh in.
How do you plan on handling the many complicated issues of Rural Alaska?
How do you plan on ensuring that your constituents needs are taken care of and/or addressed ESPECIALLY in rural AK?
How would you or will you address the struggles that rural Alaskans face, such as the crisis that occurred last winter with rural Alaskans having to choose between heating their houses or feeding their families?
What are your thoughts/opinions on salmon by catch?
How do you plan on addressing the extremely high fuel costs of not only urban but also rural Alaska?
Do you plan on keeping and/or having a rural Advisor? If so who would you choose to fill that position…Mr. Moller or someone new?
There have been a lot of people complaining that elected officials are UNREACHABLE and not listening to the needs of their constituents…how would you address this??
Would you consider having the Rural Sub-cabinets minutes/notes/meetings made open/available to the public?
How would you address discrimination that Alaskan Natives continue to face?
Do you plan on working with the First Nations and AFN etc…to improve the lives of Alaskan Natives.
Do you bake cookies?? (ROFL ook that’s just in there for the fun of it)
Do you plan on traveling to rural Alaska and LISTENING to the people there about their needs/concerns?? AND I do NOT mean HUB communities but real RURAL Alaska?
Will we still be using honey buckets by the end of your term as governor if you are elected??? Ummm do you know what a honeybucket is?? *wink*
Do you fully intend on…if elected…finishing your term as Gov. COMPLETELY??? *double wink* ooh wait that means I just closed my eyes
Ok think I’ll stop there….I am getting a lil bit too snotty….will blame it on pregnancy hormones
lmao @ some of Ann’s questions.
After 50 years of statehood, has state government failed rural Alaska? It seems like the real state government in the bush is actually the federal government. How would your administration govern rural Alaska?
oooh one more….
What do you think about people saying that rural Alaskans should JUST MOVE to Anchorage or anywhere else rather than address the issues of rural AK?
What are some solutions you would offer to the struggles of rural Alaskan villages/communities?
How will you address the massive ALCOHOL problems/addictions etc that are so prevalent in rural Alaska?
How will you address the lack of law enforcement in rural Alaska?
What are your thoughts on weatherization needs in rural Alaska?
Will you take the early warning signs and out cries of rural Alaskans seriously before another crisis occurs this winter or next winter or every winter??
If a crisis does occur and villages need help with food shortages will your administration release government transportation to assist these villages via food drops?
Are you or anyone in your family affiliated with Arctic Cat?? (rofl)
What is your greatest concern/worry that you will face if elected as Gov.?
OOPS I said ONE more huh?
By State, the Attorney General is:
Elected by the voter=43
Appointed by the governor=5
Elected by the legislature=1
Selected by the Supreme Court=1
According to the State Constitution for the Twenty-First Century, Volume 3, edited by G. Alan Tarr, the following is true:
“The attorney general is the state’s lawyer initiating suits on the state’s behalf and responding to lawsuits filed against the state. When separately elected, this poses no problem as the attorney general has separate elective status to do so, but when appointed by some other elected official or officials, the attorney general status may be compromised. For example, there may be times when the attorney general must take action against the governor for what he or she has done or not done. If appointed by the governor, this ability would be compromised.”
Question: Would you support joining 43 other states and electing our AG in AK?
would you consider doing a guest post on Anonymous Bloggers??? (*wink*)
oook last one!!! HONEST!!!!
If elected Governor and you received an email from ME…would you respond??
Tee heee, Ok really I am gonna stop now!!!
geez more and more questions just keep popping into my head…..
How would your administration address the issue of bootlegging in the bush?
How would your administration address the issue of excessive price gouging on products, especially groceries, in bush AK?
Would your administration support putting a price cap on fuel prices in rural AK?
How would your administration fight the battle of FAS in rural AK?
Would you support more AK State Troopers in the bush, and how would you promote trooper response to issues in the bush?
How would you address the issues of domestic violence and sexual assaults in the bush?
If next years commercial fishing is a disaster again on the Yukon how long will you wait before offering assistance?
What are your thoughts on the importance of subsistence issues in rural AK?
What is your stance/opinion on global warming and erosion issues in bush Alaska?
Transparency in government??? yes..no…kinda sorta maybe?
How would you improve education in the bush and increase graduation rates?
Do you plan on living in the Gov. Mansion in Juneau? (*giggle*)
Do you have plans on fighting the mosquito population/over population in AK? (*ROFL ok need to stop*)
What do you think of BLOGGERS??
What do you believe the state should be willing to invest in alternative energy sources, even as you continue to support oil and gas as part of the state’s energy needs?
What proportion of the funds currently allocated to support the oil and gas industry in the state treasure would you be willing to divert to alternative energy providers, developers and research?
How would you allocate those funds among the alternative sources of wind, geothermal and tidal sources of energy?
What role do you see for development of alternative energy in rural Alaska toward supporting the traditions and benefits of maintaining rural Alaska’s viability?
Wow Ann~
You’re truly on a roll my dear….and it’s so good to hear you smile.
Hope that you and the little ones are fairing well…
Will you appoint Ann Strongheart and other concerned native people to a special commission to advise on rural problems? If so would you listen to what they say?
@Cynamen~~
I can’t help myself
they just keep popping into my head.
How about….
Are you afraid of Linda Biegel…aka Celtic Diva?
What are your thoughts on ethics complaints??
P.S. we are doing ok. CC is the epitome of “terrible twos!” babe to be is growing like mad…hmmm swallowed a watermelon comes to mind! Cecelia as a new nickname….
CCC = cyclone CC
13 days before I head in to wait the arrival of this new babe!!! So that’s what 44 days now until my due date…not that I am counting.
Will you institute a new system of communication links so that the state’s citizens can actually reach ALL of the appointed state personnel, such as the rural advisor himself? You know… their office phone numbers? their office email addresses? the actual physical location of their office? the actual mailing address of their state office?
For example, does anyone actually have an office phone number or an office location for the rural advisor? Jus’ wondrin’…
Ann~
Well you just keep right on poppin’…..and oh, how so very exciting that we are about to welcome a new Strongheart into the world.
P.S.>>>>If you don’t mind my asking, where are you “heading in to wait” for the new bundle of joy?
Do you Tweet?
ok I really need to go take a nap and quit this!!
Now the silly questions are starting to surface a little too fast!!
Catch y’all later
What are your plans to get the natural gas off the north slope and into alaska homes where it is needed now.
AKM.. you should really consider looking at Bill Walker also.. he is NOT a republican by most or any republican standards. He is running on the Republican ticket because he knows the democrats will split votes and it would be a waste of time. I’m as progressive as they get and I’ve known Bill a long time. He’s a brilliant, honest, caring man.. He’s spent most of his vacations in small African villages doing volunteer work not for any political purposes (he never planned on being in politics EVER until a few months ago) he goes simply to give back to others on the planet.
He got in the race because he truly believes he can make a difference for this state and I know he would. So please don’t dismiss him just because he’s on the Republican ticket. His ideas and philosophies are progressive and I can assure he would never be in anyone’s (see big oils) pocket. He’s a remarkable person as is his wife (also an attorney) who spends large amounts of her time doing volunteer work around the world as well. He is truly a complete 180 degree turn from politics as we’ve known it up here for WAY too long.
As an added bonus, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who despises Palin as much as Bill does.
I like Bill Walker. I was planning on sending the questions to all the candidates. Hopefully he will respond. The race is getting more interesting all the time. AKM
Question to the candidates:
Do you see either, or both, of your great Alaskan citizens, Nick Tucker, Jr. and Ann Strongheart, playing a role in state government if you are elected governor of Alaska?
@Cynamen,
Due to the fact that I have had to recently create a “Psycho” Folder on my email account to store “psycho” emails I am not disclosing where this new Strongheart will be born
So it will all be a surprise….surprise location…surprise gender….surprise early but not too early delivery (LOL knock on wood)
OK not so much on the gender b/c I will have an ultrasound when I go in to wait and god willing this lil one will let us get a peak between it’s legs so I know what it is
Ok CC and I and unborn are going to take a nap.
Oops…I meant that great elder statesman, Nick Tucker, SENIOR!
Ann~
I understand COMPLETELY….enjoy your nap ~ and your time in wait.
Love ya much!
Oh, so little to add after all of Ann’s questions, except these:
Will you and the majority of your cabinet live in Juneau?
Will you only be willing to consider candidates for your cabinet if they WILL live in Juneau?
Will we be invited over to the Mansion for dinner? (
)
How important is protection of the environment to you? What does environmental protection mean to you?
Ann, you are one amazing woman. In agreement with Tantef, my question would also too be: “Will you appoint Ann Strongheart and other concerned native people to a special commission to advise on rural problems? If so would you listen to what they say?”
Ann, enjoy the ‘sillies’ while you can still blame those darn hormones! Or as my brother used to say whenever I had a bad case- the har har harmones. (corny, I know…:))
If you are INCARCERATED in Alaska, you must not, by state law, be housed in cold, damp, moldy living conditions or other substandard housing. You are not required to haul your drinking and wash water to your cell for personal use, nor are you required to carry out and dump your “honeybuckets” into open sewage lagoons. You have piped clean water, hot showers, flush toilets, some access to cable t.v., and other benefits that are mandated by state law.
To the candidates:
Will you work to help the poorest rural communities achieve the same level of housing, clean water, and wastewater rights for themselves as are currently required by state law for the state’s prison population?
What is the highest and best purpose for ANWR?
How would you promote healthy watersheds and sustainable fisheries?
What is your approach to obtaining access to affordable health care for all in Alaska?
Do you support a state income tax? Why or why not?
How will you facilitate communications between the public and governmental officials in Alaska?
How do stand on aerial killing of wolves?
How would you reduce the influence of big money on Alaskan politics?
How will you choose to support the Alaska Marine Highway system?
Will you bring the main office for the AMH back to Juneau?
@ Ann Strongheart
All excellent questions. This one is my favorite:
“If elected Governor and you received an email from ME…would you respond??”
Where do you stand on Pebble Mine? If you had to choose one, would it be mining jobs, or fishing jobs? Why? Do you understand the science behind the mine?
How do you feel about an all-Alaska gas line?
What potential for business and industry do you see in which Alaska can take a leadership role, that it doesn’t already have?
How do you feel about transparency in government? What do you think about the transparency of the Murkowski administration? The Palin administration? The Parnell administration?
How do you want to see responsible development of oil resources proceed? ANWR? Off shore drilling in Bristol Bay?
What about coal? Do you support “clean coal?” Do you believe there is such a thing as “clean coal?” Do you understand the science and chemistry of coal?
How would you plan to develop and promote the tourist industry?
How will you handle groups that are boycotting Alaska travel because of issues like predator control (wolves and bears), endangered species (beluga whales) and the image that Sarah Palin has created?
Do you have any thoughts on the sustainability of life in Cook Inlet?
How do you think Chevron handled the situation at Drift River when the volcano was active? Do you think we are prepared for an oil spill in Cook Inlet?
4 annstrongheart Says: October 8th, 2009 at 11:56 AM
How do you plan on handling the many complicated issues of Rural Alaska?…
Ok think I’ll stop there….I am getting a lil bit too snotty….will blame it on pregnancy hormones.
____________
I blame it on your intelligence and wit… and a drink I wish you’d share with the rest of us.
What is your position on the proposed Pebble Mine? As well as all the other questions asked here.
I wonder if Alaska treats all its citizens equally, and if not, how would it correct inequalities.
I can’t add anymore..I thought Annstrongheart’s questions were spot on, as well as a few of them being hysterically funny.
I suppose one or two questions that I would like to ask is…are you honest, who pays your campaign bills, are you swayed by insurance companies contributing to your campaign?
Do you have tight abs?
I only asked that last question, cos I luv to see a guv with tight abs!
Potential candidates for governor:
1) Did you go to college and do some professors actually remember you?
2) Does your accent change when you campaign?
3) Can you string three or more words together in a coherent fashion?
4) Can you interview with varied media even if they are not sympathetic?
5) Do you think “open and transparent” is more than a talking point and campaign tool?
6) Can you take responsibility for your mistakes without blaming minions?
7) Will you want to hear the “bad news” in the state as well as the “good news?”
9) Do you thoroughly understand the concept of “separation of church and state?”
If all your answers are “yes” except for # 2 and # 8, then you have passed the very first hurdle for acceptability as a candidate for governor in my estimation.
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Can you please keep your knees crossed.
Will you bring high speed internet to the bush?? That we can afford!
How would you support retention in bush schools? Not only of the students but also the teachers?
Have you ever been to a bush village that doesn’t have running water?? or actually seen some of the houses families have to live in? If not, would you be willing to travel to remote villages in the winter?
What is your definition of accountability in government? How can we hold you accountable?
How would you promote rural Alaskan’s involvement in governing the state?
Would your administration be willing to work with Tribal/City governments to improve living conditions in rural Alaska. If so, how would you do that?
ut oh…CC’s up from her nap….time to go
(((Ann and CC))))
39 Irishgirl Says:
October 8th, 2009 at 3:43 PM
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You got my drift, Girl O’ Irish.
Masculine equivalent of teeny weeny black mini perched on top of red naughty primates.
Need to restore some class and decorum to the governor’s office, if ya know which way my stick floats.
Questions about an all Alaska gasline seem to be popular. I think people have forgotten what they ACTUALLY voted for and passed in 2002, after the Murkowski smokescreens and Palin’s AGIA fiasco that cost us half a billion dollars. For those who don’t remember, here is the exact wording of the bill
Petition ID: 01GSLN
The All-Alaskan Gasline Initiative:
An Act establishing the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority,
to maximize revenues for Alaska and jobs and gas for Alaskans
“This bill would create the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority (Authority) as a public corporation of the State. The Authority would acquire and condition North Slope natural gas, and construct a pipeline to transport the gas. The Authority’s powers would include buying property or taking it by eminent domain, and to issue state tax-exempt revenue bonds. The gasline route would be from Prudhoe Bay to tidewater on Prince William Sound and the spur line from Glennallen to the Southcentral gas distribution grid. The Authority would operate and maintain the gas pipeline, ship the gas, and market the gas.”
This is what Alaskans voted for, a line from Prudhoe to Valdez. This would be well progressed by now (and actually is FAR more than most people know) if it weren’t for Murkowski and Palin being on the take. The infrastructure already exists and the Port Authority is the ONLY faction that has the permits to build this line AND has permits for the gas on the slope. They also have buyers lined up such as Mitsubishi to take all the excess gas that can be produced. There is one person who has worked tirelessly over the last 7 years to see a real all alaska gasline come to fruition, regardless of the smokescreens laid out by the 2 Gov’s.. He never gave up and kept the projects moving forward.. Unfortunately he isn’t listed amongst the people you want to ask questions to. I have referred to him above though. If you really DO want an all Alaska gasline and want it built in your lifetime, there is a candidate that can and will make it happen
1) Do you support Pebble Mine? Berkowitz is on record as opposing Pebble, Poe has given the standard reply of ‘they have the right to go thru the process’ and I have not heard anything from French.
2) Do you support the Chuitna coal mine at Cook Inlet? Are you aware of the mind boggling roads, docks, ‘holding islands, etc. that will support the coal mine? Are you aware that all of the coal will go to Asia, where it will be burned and the prevailing winds will bring all the CO2 and other caca into AK waters?
3) Do you support AK creating its own health care coverage program instead of waiting for ‘the feds?’
Thanks, AKM, for bringing us this opportunity to question the candidates.
I would ask Senate Judiciary Chair and Chair of the Legislative Council why he can’t pass a simple law to prohibit the use of private email accounts for official State of Alaska business…even though the Branchflower Report accepted by the leg council strongly recommended such legislation be passed because the use of private email accounts for official business by Palin and others impeded Branchflower’s investigation.
Please ask them if they will condemn the Pro-Rape republicans who voted to continue the cover up of gang rapers like the employees at KBR. That crowd of 30 includes Dave “Diaperboy” Vitter (R-LA) and John Ensign (R-NV), who had his Mommy and Daddy make a $96,000 hush money payment to his girlfriends husband.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/07/meet-the-senators-who-vot_n_312976.html
I looked at this article this morning when it first came out. I was wondering why AKM had a picture of KO for Alaska governor.
Hahahhahhaa, I just looked at the picture again and realised it is Bob Poe not KO. They do look alot alike.
There are so many good questions posted already, that I will just add:
Thanks to Ethan Berkowitz for his service as minority leader in the State House as an unabashedly Democratic voice at a time when we sorely needed it.
Thanks to Hollis French for putting his reputation on the line during Troopergate and taking the hits for that effort from both sides.
Thanks to Bob Poe for being willing to take his well-honed administrative leadership skills into the elective arena.
Unity and electability.
Division and unelectability resulted in Mayor Sullivan. Alaska doesn’t need to make the same mistake for the next governor’s race. You’re already at a disadvantage with a Republican incumbent.
So you need to work together behind one candidate. And that candidate needs to be the most electable candidate. Make a decision and then work together.
On a good note: Brian keeps motivating me, when I feel ill about the way things are going . Check out Brian on duty- Lower 48
Brian is my big inspiration. He keeps me moving and sane.
http://bilia.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/brian-the-moose-enjoys-breakfast-with-nj-governor-warren-county/
Here’s a few:
–What strategies will you use to address ongoing global climate changes such as the melting of arctic ice and increased shipping traffic in the Beaufort Sea, effects on marine mammals, the melting of permafrost and concomitant changes to the tundra?
–Do you understand rural schools funding and how changes in timber industry potentially affect communities in Southeast Alaska?
–Do you have a vision for the state if and when fish harvests decline dramatically, whether driven by oil spills, global climate change or overfishing?
–Do you believe subsistence is an anachronism or a valid lifestyle?
–How would you stand on gay, lesbian and transgender rights?
–What changes would you recommend to improve and strengthen the University system in Alaska?
–How would you propose to address the epidemic of rape, incest, alcohol abuse and suicide that occurs both in our villages and in our cities?
–How do you propose to address the challenges of VPSO’s and other law enforcement (or lack of it) in the villages?
–Would you be an advocate for a safer fishing industry, and if so, how?
–Are you a member of ANB, ANS? Have you attended AFN in Anchorage? Have you ever spoken at AFN? Would you?
–Would you claim per diem while living in your own home?
–And can you see Russia from your house?
Here_in_PA, Berkowitz looks a bit like Jeff Goldblum, IMO.
All very good questions and some very funny ones.It is just a shame that anyone has to have a “phyco” file and I don’t know what anyone could or would say about Ann