Heyyy… You Got Socialism in My Socialism!
Now there are those of you out there who may have noticed that there are quite a few Alaskans complaining about those dang socialists out there in the Lower 48. Socialism is a four letter word in these parts. Yes, siree.
But this time of year, all those people hope you are looking the other way. Why? Because after a few moments of filling out a form and sending it in via mail or online, those Alaskans take their place in line to receive a big fat check… the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), Alaskans’ guilty pleasure. The permanent fund dividend check ranges from several hundred to a couple thousand dollars depending on the year and what oil revenues are like. In addition to the PFD, when Sarah Palin was in office, she handed out a check for $1200 to every man, woman and child in the state as an energy rebate. But those days are over. Now we’re back to just the one check. I know. You may now play a tiny violin.
The fact that this whole arrangement – taking profits from the state’s resource development and dividing it up evenly among the state’s residents looks an awful lot like… (looking both ways and whispering)… “socialism,” seems to be conveniently overlooked by most people, including the ones that cry the loudest against socialism.
But in an attempt to be evenhanded, it should be pointed out that we do get our socialist checks in a very old-school conservative way. You apply early, you get your check early. You apply later, you get your check later. You apply too late, and you are out of luck. Period. Too bad, so sad. Early bird gets the worm, effort is rewarded; laziness not so much. Hand holding? I don’t think so. Anyone who needs their hand held doesn’t deserve free money. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get it together. Our socialism is tough, man. No mercy.
But, wait… This year will see some changes in the rule book. First, more and more Alaskans are applying for their checks online, so the rather large paper booklet with lots of application forms included generally gets tossed in the trash. So this year to curtail waste, the booklets are no more. Now Alaskans will get a little 4-page pamphlet with only one adult and one child’s application and instructions telling them where to go to get more. Presumably this inconvenience will drive more people to the online application.
And there are other changes. This year everyone will get their PFD check on October 7. It’s not like past years when early birds got the check first, and later, more disorganized folks had to wait. This year, the playing field is level - early birds and slackers alike will be rewarded at the same time. No preference for the prepared. You can apply on the first day, or you can be in a cold sweat, speeding to the airport post office at midnight on the deadline day. You get your check on October 7th either way. We are all special.
But wait, there’s more. All that money we save from not printing and mailing the booklets? Does it go back in the coffers? No. It will be used to take out advertising to remind everyone to apply for their free money. You see, a lot of people forget to do that, and then they get their applications in late and complain when they don’t get their checks. Yes, the residents of the great state of Alaska have to have their hands held at state expense to remember to get their free cash.
So, what is going on here? Why are there no people in the streets with torches and pitchforks and tea bags demanding to know who put the socialism in their socialism?
I just don’t know what this world is coming to.
Did sarah mess it up ? ?
AKM Loved this article especially because I have been saying the same thing since palin was picked and started this socialism BS and not like us,we are a different breed. Good work This article IMO should be linked to HP
I remember my sister telling me about the state wanting to stop the PFD’S.they put it to a vote and lost cause to many people wanted to keep it as it was,and since it helped them make it thru the winter she said thank God. She said the state tried to get votes by saying everyone would get a very big check to make up for no future checks.LOL .I see nothing wrong with the PFD’S but than people should admit that it is what it is a sharing or redistribution of wealth from oil companies to people both rich and poor.
OMG! Too funny! You are describing my adorable college students! (mostly Freshmen but not all). And then you are describing all the lengths we teachers have to go to to get our students to be responsible when we move to the not-so-paperless environment (it ain’t paperless because now … it’s the students who have to print the paper, not us! Whoppee!)
As for the one Oct. 7 mailing date? Whose idea was that? Would it not make more sense to portion out the work (say, a 3/31 mailing, 7/31 mailing, and a final 10/31 mailing for all those that have their stuff in by a certain deadline) than have it all happen at once? I know. I don’t know how the department functions. I don’t know what I don’t know. There may be a perfectly logical reason for this.
Has anybody asked the people that actually have to distribute these checks what they think?
Except I do know know they won’t have a lot of sympathy for folks who don’t get their stuff in on time.
As for Socialism, well, if that’s the way it works for y’all up there, I am not going to make a stink. It’s y’all’s business. (Amusingly enough, a couple years ago on a local newspaper blog here in SoFla, a very right-wing commenter suggested that if Fla. would just drill offshore, Fla. would have no more property or sales tax, just like Alaska! To which I went, “You gotta be delusional…”)
And I also expect to see next to no one attend the Tea Party Convention this Feb. because presumably all the people interested in attending are claiming their taxes are too high. One would think, with their financial situation being so dire, that they would not be able to afford the over $500 registration fee not to mention additional travel and lodging.
The hypocrisy is staggering and why oh why do not more people see what is plain in front of their faces????
Good news. A level playing field awaits us in Conservative Socialism.
Well, it’s a good thing but–what kind of perks do the oil companies get in return? Not that they need them, but you know how the game is played.
When private enterprise is involved, you know it’s a quid pro quo.
I still don’t understand why AK gets more back in Federal money than it pays in Fed taxes – and then turns around and writes checks to everyone. I know the oil money is from a “different source”, but really, money if fungible.
Grandma68 Says:
Well, it’s a good thing but–what kind of perks do the oil companies get in return? Not that they need them, but you know how the game is played.
When private enterprise is involved, you know it’s a quid pro quo.
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Yep , when sarah was down in Giddings , Tx. last summer and them pipeline pals chunked 40k in S-Pac all in ONE day. Then she tweeted about the awarding of 198 mil. in contracts……..quid pro quo ??…..nah , not sarah.
I’m curious…do the progressives in AK have to tiptoe around and keep their beliefs a secret/keep them behind the computer screen? …for fear of getting their windows egged or cars keyed or ‘shot’…as ‘those’ sneak around collecting their check in the dark of night and can’t stand us in the lower 48…just wondering how it works up there…you wouldn’t want to provoke the unreasonable!…I suppose.
If sarah was a REAL ” Maverick ” and truly lived by her words…
When she showed up as the KeyNote Speaker ( and role model ) at that Tea-Bag Convention in February she would declare that she was NOT going to accept any of this ” Socialist ” money…” It’s Dirty ! ” and tell them to stick it..%$#@*&$% !
Would she do it…? NO way.
She could split it up among Her fellow Tea-Baggers there as well.
( Shannyn might suggest THIS scenario on the radio)
Come on, Socialism has been going on in Alaska long before the permanent fund. Alaska has been feeding at the Federal pig tough for as long as it’s been a state. Taking money from other people to take care of you and yours, via the Federal tax and distribution system is socialism. The same people who raise a stink about liberal socialists are the first to Stand in line at the Federal trough. A majority of the people in the State depend on Government money for their livelihoods be it a government job, benefits or a job in an industry that depends on Government money to stimulate it such as construction. Why do you think Ted Stephens and Don Young were in power so long? Alaska is a socialist State. Period.
Being an Outsider, my opinion doesn’t matter, but there’s a funny memory of Scarah saying something about it (the PFD) being “kinda Socialist.” Maybe it’s on YouTube, I’ll look. Health and peace.
Military bases and their support industry are another big government job provider in Alaska. And don’t forget the Native Corporations and their bidding advantages for government jobs. That has to be some sort of Socialism too.
Have they ever tried to pass casino gambling in Alaska??
I wish the PFD would just go away. I really resent people who talk smack about the government (Dem govt, of course) while holding out their hands for their PFDs. Particularly given the cuts to fire/police/libraries/schools/etc, and no freaking state income tax!!!!!!!!! No sales tax!!!!!!!!! Pitiful little property tax — big deal! Can’t get by without a PFD? Sorry to hear it, but even at my lowest-paid college job, I could. It was nice, but being born & raised in AK, I got by, as did my parents and grandparents, without it, and am getting by without it now that I don’t live in AK.
The PFD has been one of the worst things in AK. And whenever I hear some redneck loser saying “it’s OUR oil” I want to gag. Native Alaskans, okay, but the rest of us caucasians, even those like me who have had family in AK 50+ years (or the many who’ve been in the state prior to statehood), have absolutely no claim to the oil. That’s socialist/marxist talk!!!!!!
And I think it’s heinous that transient military families apply for them and get them. Part of the deal with the PFD is you are saying that you have been living in AK for a year and will be living in AK indefinitely. There are very few military families that can say that — unless your retirement is imminent and you are planning to stay in AK, there is no way to meet that bit of the requirements.
SMR –
Glad to see ya.
Thanks for puttin’ it in perspective.
ya know…these are the same peeps who complain about the $600 stimulus I got…after I turn almost 50% of my income over to federal, state, property, insurance and sales taxes. (yes…I have to pay 7% tax on my vehicle insurance!)
creeps, every single one of them.
SMR, always appreciate what you have to say. Don’t be such a stranger, even being in Canada.
PFD checks are the most progressive forms of sharing around. Kudos to Jay Hammond for thinking this one up.
Money is proportionately most useful to those with the lowest of incomes and gives the people a share of the corporate activity.
I do think perhaps after two children, the PFD amount should be reduced for additional children. (Though the amount should be divided evenly for all children in one family–just reduced overall.)
Rewarding extra large families is not particularly good policy in a world of overpopulation.
Not too impressed with the theory that advertising will increase participation over direct mailings.
Excellent info SMR, thanks!!
justafarmer -
Dang !! And then ya got snakes in the henhouse also.too.
austin…yes I do…and raccons & possums….
so sadz….
I’d like to remind everyone that the original idea of the PFD was to be given only to Alaskans that were in the state prior to statehood (as I was) and then, obviously, the PFD would self destruct at all the old timers died off. So that was the intent and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Then along came a young attorney, new to Alaska, and filed a discimination suit on the basis of treating the residents unequally … and he won. There were a lot of angry old timers, but a lot of happy newcomers then and now. The state never intended that it go on forever, but just try taking away something after you have been given such a gift (free money) for every man, woman and child. Now who in their right mind wouldn’t like that?
raccoons, even…
sigh…
I forgot to add that there are no property taxes for anyone over 65 and for awhile, anyone over 65 also received a check for $200. a month., but that one they have done away with last I knew.
justafarmer –
Snakes = belts and boots
Possums and racoons = coats
snakes, possums, raccoons = critter stew or BBQ!
renegade…I will get a property tax break when I turn 65. Hope I live that long…
justafarmer -
Keep comin’ here and it’ll be peachy keen…..
The first thing I did this morning was online applications for my husband and me. No hand-holding needed in THIS household.
I wonder if my fellow Alaskans are disappointed that Sarah the Socialist isn’t there to hand out the extra $800 million dollars ($1,200.00 for every Alaskan man, woman and child) in the name of “energy rebates” like she did last year? LOL!
Alaska is a state where communities may choose ‘home rule’ when they develop their charter and take on many of their own chores… or not.
Juneau is a home rule city and taxes itself-primarily via property taxes and sales tax (currently at 5 %) on all things including food and services. Seniors may apply for sales tax exemption and they get a 50 % reduction in property tax.
There is revenue sharing and capital funding for certain things from the state but we are much more on our own than many from Outside are familiar with.
All that being said I’m mostly with SMR- not a proponent of the PFD.
While it IS considered , as Moose Pucky says, a progressive way to distribute wealth , the cognitive dissonance AKM notes has become deleterious to the state as far as I am concerned. the sheer number of folks a-snooze on state issues except for demanding their free-money should never be at risk is painful.
The October date has something to do with a formula for determining performance of the fund in the year and calculating the dividend… and for those who need it, winter is best. We have a lot of seasonal only employment here still and winters are long. Some commercial fishermen have to make most of their income in 12-16 short weeks for the whole year.
I don’t apply for so do not receive a PFD. I don’t care if others do BUT I do wish the gone gov and her ilk would abstain as well… for the very reasons AKM has outlined here…
You can keep your socialist PFD and we will keep our capitalist royalty checks for the land we actually own.Here in Louisiana as in the rest of the Lower 48 ,if you have oil and gas under land you own,you can sell or lease to a company interested.We have 5 acres,got a $4,000 per acre lease signing bonus last year,when the gas starts to produce,we will get royalties,as will our neighbors who also own land that has gas under it.Why should someone living in an apartment 90 miles away who does not have to pay taxes ,insurance and take care of my land get money for the gas under it? The state owned,and local community owned land here in Louisiana that is producing gas,has been leased and that money is being used by the state and local communities to provide services,etc,not to buy a big screen tv for someone who doesnt even own any land.
Socialism a four-letter word? Not when you spell it C-A-S-H.
I just want to thank all the Teabaggers out there who believe socialism is a four letter word and do not want the government interfering in their lives because by their sticking to their belieifs and not being hypocrites, I am going to get a huge pfd check this year. Why? Because the amount of the pfd will vary depending on how many people sign up for it and the teabaggers are not going to sign up this year. Why? Because you can’t get more socialist than sharing in the wealth of the oil revenue with everyone else and isn’t the government interfering in your life by giving you free money instead of making you work for it? I know that all of them including the local Rush Limbaugh wanna be’s (In hate speech as well as waistline) will lead the charge to just say no! Just sayin.
I wonder if Sarah Palin is applying for HER dividend this year, and for her minor children, and for Todd, now that she is rolling in dough from her book deal and from SarahPAC and the other endeavors she undertakes to make money…..is that info we can get under the FIA?? Just sayin’ … if she’s SO against socialism, perhaps the buck should stop there.
If you think that PFD is free you should listen to Shannyn’s last guest Senator Bill. You are paying up to $400 per year extra for your gas. I think the lower 49 also pays higher prices at the pump to give you your “free cash”. There is no free lunch.
The oil companies just make the royalty one more item on the cost side of the sheet. They still get the profits they want by charging us all more.
I also to would like to see this story on HP. Especially how scarah raised the fees for the socialist redistribution of AK wealth. Also good story for KO and/or Rachel on a slow news day.
I wonder if the push for everyone to apply on the web will negatively impact those who live in rural Alaska where internet access might less available? Will it be more confusing for the older folks who aren’t as too tech savvy? I know what happens when working with my mom and in-laws when it they have to use the web for medicare!
A fan in CA: The oil industry doesn’t own Flint Hills!
Why isn’t Alaska required to pay back all the federal aid they recieve from the other 49 states before handing out free cash like an ATM shaped like a socialist sacred cow????
BigSlick: Excellent question! Many here are afraid exactly THAT will happen.
Alaska should get more from the federal pot than it puts in. (As do Canadian northerners, a bit.) Think of it as something y’all earn for living in the dark half the year and putting your house on the line between Putin and us more Southern softies. Uninhabited lands are hard to defend. You deserve some subsidies.
It sounds as if most of the posters on this site are from the lower 48 and know nothing of Alaska. But they sure have a lot of opinions. We all have opinions and most of them Stink.
How about all the social engineering that goes on within the IRS code? Tax returns would be short and simple if we weren’t redistributing wealth that way. That’s what all the exemptions, deductions, and credits that make it so complicated do, yet I haven’t heard much about that from the tea parties.
Funny also, how some of the folks screaming about socialism were only too happy to collect state reimbursements for energy audits and related home improvements.
I wonder how many of them have collected unemployment checks or food stamps at some point, and I’d be really curious to know what percentage are on medicare or using a CHIP. How many of them received federally subsidized student loans or Pell grants (maybe a different name now) for higher education?
There’s plenty of socialism going on out there – and isn’t at least some of that a good thing, since the Bible directs us to love our neighbors and help the less fortunate?
39 A fan in CA
“I think the lower 49 also pays higher prices at the pump to give you your “free cash”. There is no free lunch. ”
——————
Whether you buy fuel which originated on the North Slope or Texas or California or wherever , you pay your part of the royalties owed to the property owner, private or public.The difference in Alaska is that a portion of the royalties collected on leases of state land are the primary source of revenue for the state and a portion are invested and managed to distribute directly to citizens of the state.
The Alaskan state constitution insists that resources be managed for the benefit of all Alaskans. This, the PFD, is considered a piece of that- whether i agree or not.
Senator’s Bill’s latest study of fuel prices here has to do with our instate refinery ( Flint Hills) and what appears to be price gouging on their part.
I’m getting a little weirded out by many of the comments here. It’s one thing to make fun, as AKM has, of the gone gov and her dingbat take on socialism in relation to the facts of life here… esp. the PFD.
It’s a whole nother world to get off into some of the flights of fancy I’m seeing here… about Alaskans and Alaska…
AKM: ” Why are there no people in the streets with torches and pitchforks and tea bags demanding to know who put the socialism in their socialism?”
For the same reason why adults knock down a little kid in front of them to grab the candy thrown out at the parade……or elbow their neighbor in the eye to grab the foul ball at the major league baseball game….or stampede into Wal Mart on Black Friday…..
Pitchfork-worthy ideology has little do with it.
@ 14 austintx – The subject of casino gambling has come up, along with some proposed changes to state law that would make it possible, though I don’t know where it stands now.
@ 20 Moose Pucky – I agree with you. Postcards seem to work pretty well, but regular advertising is a waste of money. The local media usually cover the PFD deadline for free, anyway, as a public service.
ValleyIndependent and austintx-
this is the status of casino stuff…
http://www.chiefezi.net/news/default.php?action=fullnews&id=3
is OT excepting the ‘socialism’ inherent in shared profits for the benefit of the group…
Apparently there are those that are offended by people outside of AK posting on this thread. With all due respect, if it wasn’t for the intelligent people in AK that repeatedly elected Sarah Palin to various posts, I would never have bothered with you folks. I am thankful for the various blogs that have exposed the flawed opinions and values of Sarah Palin and her followers.
I know a day late and a $25 short. I gave $25 out of every family members PFD to charities.
This kind of socialism is ubiquitous up here and I am sure the tea baggers don’t even think about it.
Thanks, Alaskapi.
It is funny. It is also reminiscent of the Medicare and SS folks who are complaining about socialism.
Particulary, since, on average, they are receiving more benifits that they paid for.
I don’t really have a problem with Medicare or SS, just the two faced lie that it is not commune-ism