Daily News: "Sarah Palin's Alaska, a welfare state"

[Knightskye]

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


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.

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.

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

[akforme]

so lets take one of the lowest populated states and do a per capita with one of the highest. Why don't we do it by square miles. Ak: $2.04 / NY $275.75

Not that I don't agree with any of these, but this is what nypost calles reporting? Talk about screwed news.

[libertythor]

I wonder what the figure is when you discount the highways and military bases. Lower population states like Wyoming or North Dakota are naturally going to receive more than they pay in because of Interstate highways that cover the length of them and military bases.

The cost of a military base in New Jersey is absorbed by more people than the cost of a military base in Alaska or Montana.

Also Alaskans almost elected Joe Miller, somebody who would have worked to reduce the pork. Those New Yorkers should have donated to and supported him.

[Knightskye]

so lets take one of the lowest populated states and do a per capita with one of the highest. Why don't we do it by square miles. Ak: $2.04 / NY $275.75

But New York has a lot more people per square mile.

Could someone explain the oil company welfare check thing?

[libertythor]

But New York has a lot more people per square mile.

Could someone explain the oil company welfare check thing?

That has nothing to do with the federal government. The State of Alaska receives a share of the oil profits and gives 1,000 dollar dividend checks to each man, woman, and child who is a resident. A part of the funds are invested in different assets and securities so that the profits can be used for this. Another part is used to run the entire state government and not have any income or sales tax.

This is a states rights issue and has nothing to do with the New Yorker's complaint about federal funds.

[MN Patriot]

Could someone explain the oil company welfare check thing?

Here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Permanent_Fund

The 3 years I lived there was the lowest amounts ever. Just my luck. :(

Compare this to Norway, where each person has about $100,000 worth of investments thanks to oil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Petroleum_Fund_of_Norway No wonder Norway is such a successful socialist country.

[james1906]

Here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Permanent_Fund

The 3 years I lived there was the lowest amounts ever. Just my luck. :(

Compare this to Norway, where each person has about $100,000 worth of investments thanks to oil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Petroleum_Fund_of_Norway No wonder Norway is such a successful socialist country.

Norwegians get about $30k when they graduate high school so they have time to dick around and figure out what to do with life.