Palin Against Big Oil? Think Again

Do you know where the proceeds from opening up protected lands in Alaska go? Big Oil, of course. But more surprising is another group of beneficiaries: every man, woman, and child in Alaska (if they have lived in the state more than one year). The state constitution of Alaska stipulates that the revenues derived from selling and leasing public lands and resources are to be shared equally between all Alaskan citizens.

Just last year Alaskans received dividend checks of $1600 for their complicity in the exploitation of their state's natural resources. In other words, rising oil company profits and rising oil prices are desirable politically and economically in Alaska. They aren't against Big Oil, rather they have more to gain from continued reliance on oil in the United States and abroad than residents of any other state in the union.

While we are drowning in the consequences of continued reliance on oil from sources domestic and international, residents of Alaska are salivating at the potential of complete and profound exploitation of all of their natural resources. It means money in the bank and food on the table, while for all the rest of us it means quite the opposite.

Why would someone in Alaska want to protect ANWAR? That doesn't get them a penny more in their dividend check at the end of the year. Just look at Palin's immediate family: there are 5 children, 1 soon-to-be-born grandchild, Palin and her husband. That is 8*$1600, or $12,800, a year for their family and that is without the large-scale expansion in drilling that Palin and McCain support.

Unbelievable profiteering on the misfortune of the masses. Not to mention a cynical view on protecting the natural beauty and ecological integrity of their own home.

Your Saddened Unfaithful Servant