She did cute governor's expenses but she also reduced state earmark requests by 80% in 3 budget cycles:
Posted on 11/24/2010 9:57:14 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
To be in the public eye is a double-edge sword. When an opinion is formed and shaped as fact then spread by all forms of social media like a pandemic, how can anyone shake off what's false?
In the case of Sarah Palin, there is rarely an article that paints her formidable achievements above the notorious and farcical anecdotes they’d rather publish (after all, what sells better?). How many people, let alone moms or women, can claim all of this in a mere 46 years: first female Mayor of Wasilla, first female Governor of Alaska, first female Vice Presidential candidate on the 2008 republican ballot with John McCain, acclaimed author, news commentator and documentary show host?
While these are certainly a cascade of “firsts”, what inimitable achievements has she accomplished that no other politician can claim, whether male or female? What does the public really know about her?
I recently received a viral email that is the impetus of my article. The chain mail is attributed and verified to be written by Dewie Whetsell, a colorful yet “ordinary” man who decided to voice his opinion about how misunderstood Sarah Palin is. For the past 45 years he has lived in a commercial fishing town in Alaska giving him insight into the world of Alaskan politics. He does not profess to be politically worldly. From his humble perspective, having served as a firefighter for many years, he merely blogged about several of Sarah’s achievements which ended up going viral and even made it into her book, “Going Rogue” (on page 405).
So here’s what I’d like to share with you, verified by FactCheck.org. Is this enough to open your eyes and perhaps have cause to reform an opinion that may have been shaped too quickly by only one-side of the sword? The Press does NOT always equal truth if you didn’t know that by now. These achievements show her ability to be fiscally smart, have the courage to go against big companies, and to shape the future of our environment. How many of you do that in your own home on a daily basis?
1. She fought the big Oil Companies - Sharing Oil Profits: In 2007, the Alaska Legislature adopted a Palin proposal to raise the taxes that oil companies have to pay on their profits from a base rate of 22.5 percent to 25 percent. The oil companies opposed the tax hike, but Sarah persevered. Ultimately, the revenue generated from the tax increase added significantly to the state’s surplus budge, allowing Palin’s administration to issue a one-time rebate of $1200.00 to eligible state residents in 2008. This is in addition to an annual dividend check ($2069) residents receive as part of the state’s oil wealth.
2. She cut the Fat: During her term as Governor of Alaska, Sarah sold the former Governor Murkowski’s jet which was purchased during his time as governor. She also opted not to have a private cook in the governor’s mansion. She cut earmarks by 22 percent, no small feat where adding to the fat is a way of life in most state politics. Some sources have that figure as high at 85%.
3. Set a high production goal for renewable energy: President Obama promised to require 25 percent of the country’s electrical energy be generated by renewable sources by 2025. Sarah Palin set a higher production goal for the state of Alaska, at 50% of electrical energy from renewable sources by 2025. By multiple accounts, Alaska is well on its way, with close to 25% of its electricity coming from renewable sources - TODAY.
Beyond her record as governor, her record as mayor was also formidable. Her records consistently show she was non-partisan, exposed both republican and democrat wasters and illegal activity, and that she was in direct and constant contact with her constituencies.
If you balk at reading her book, "Going Rogue", (or her latest book, "Sarah Palin: America by Heart") at learning about her accomplishments, and doing the factual research you ought to, then how open minded are you really? I believe the media has done a number on her, smearing her name because it sells.
And whether you like it or not, Sarah Palin is shaping the future of politics in America and is perhaps polarizing more than just the Alaskan tundra. She's a lesson in American politics. When we look back in world history, it is those polarizing figures who helped change the face of a nation. Whether fact or fiction, keep an open mind and get to the root of the story with your own fact-checking.
Bttt
The 85% cut was governor’s expenses. In other word Gov Murkowski spent 85% more on himself to do his job
x’s that 1,000 - and then we can literally wipe out the scourge that resides in this country right now.
Thru her PAC or what?
She deserves a fair shake. A dollar or two from every common person who identifies with her will create a wave no politico can endure.
No, her campaign for president. I’m not a fan of PACs and PAC money.
I'll keep that in mind. My wife and I are suffering our own personal Great Depression, but I think that even we can spare a couple of bucks to support Sarah's quest for the White House.
You bet'cha.
When McCain added Palin to his ticket, reporters converged on Alaska, and left no stone unturned. They couldn’t dig up anything on her. Since they couldn’t find a skeleton, they came up with....”She pretended to be prego to cover up for her daughter’s teenage pregnancy”. I mean, come on. It’s been unbelievable how the media has an all out war on her and her family. I don’t ever remember hearing candidates’ children being reported about on the news the way Sarah Palin’s children have been.
First female vp on 2008 republican ticket, maybe, but not first female vp candidate, at least in modern times. Remember Geraldine Ferraro?
A History of Palin Accomplishments: Part 1, Wasilla City Council 1992 – 1996
A History of Palin Accomplishments: Part 2, Wasilla Mayor 1996 – 2002
A History of Palin, Part 3: Oil and Gas Conservation Commission 2003 – 2004
The Integrity Gap, Part I of III: Gov. Sarah Palin
Maybe as President she can do that Nationwide.
Each Alaska resident had been getting about 2 grand , with her tax hike each citizen got 3 grand or so without getting out of bed. Cool free money.
The writer says the oil companies were against the hike . Gee, do you think so? I bet those sneaking oil companies tried to pass it on to their customers.
Instead of bailing out corporations like Obama, the Oil tax is a shake down like Jesse Jacksons ,the difference is it is being done in the citizens name.
Own any oil stocks in your portfolio?
Extracting a state income tax of 25% from oil companies but a maximum of 9% on other corporations and zero on individuals does not seem conservative. Is she a gorbal warming believer? She does agree with Obama that government and not the market should determine how your electricity is generated.
Why is a law mandating a percentage of energy that must be renewable a good thing? I didn't like it when Obama talked was doing it, did you?
Alaska's renewable energy seems to be hydro and biomass generating. Bio mass as in burning wood. Is that a source of co2 emissions? Fine with me, but one of the stated purposes in Alaska renewable program is the reduction of green house gases. I don't see either of these accomplishments as conservative nor even good government policy.
You need to go back and read Alaska's constitution about who owns its natural resources and how profits are divided among Alaska' citizens through royalty payments.
Get a clue.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, sir!
She did cute governor's expenses but she also reduced state earmark requests by 80% in 3 budget cycles:
The operative word is Republican. Ferraro was a dem.
Saturday Night Live influenced a segment of clueless people to think that Sarah was like Tina Fey.
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