Semantics.
Essentially you are arguing that Alaskans shouldn't be able to decide at what price they will part with the oil they own.
But it's theirs, and they can dictate the price.
You sound like Chuck Schumer.
Actually obfuscation of simple issues, a la Chuck, seems to be more of your bag. Not mine.
If you don't like the price, don't buy it. But stop acting as if you have a right to pay whatever price you name for something that belongs to someone else.
Part of Alaska’s constitution - put together when they said “sure - we’ll be a state” is that the natural resources of Alaska are the property of Alaska’s citizens (the “state”). I think it is the only state that does this. The citizens own the mineral rights, logging rights, etc. In Louisiana the land owner may or may not own the mineral rights, but if he does, can sell the rights to the oil company.
Hence the $2,200 annual check, plus last year’s extra check to cover higher fuel, plus no taxes, etc.
Also - the revised tax system that Palin pushed through on the oil companies gives incentives for exploration and development, increases competition, as well as taxing the companies more. The old tax code was formed under allegations of “good old boy” graft giving BP(?) a better deal over others with allegations of kick-backs if I recall some of the articles I’ve read.
Also - the natural gas pipeline that had been considered back during the 70’s embargo (30 years ago!!) was pushed through by Palin. I’m pretty sure she didn’t hold a gun to the various private companies that have already started work on it (mainly geotechnical and environmental studies to date).
That is exactly what is happening.
"BP said it would develop projects on federal land, which is not subject to Alaska's taxes"
Conoco-Phillips said it will not invest 300 million previously budgeted.
And the biggest kicker is that the oil companies have said screw Palin, we will build our own pipeline.
Murkowski wanted to raise taxes on the oil companies and use the money to build the pipeline. The oil companies were ok with that.
Then Palin tells the voters, "we deserve more". Vote for me and I'll raise taxes on the oil companies and give it to us deserving Alaskans, which she did. Then she would build the pipeline and force the oil companies to use the pipeline at an exorbitant cost, with proceeds flowing back to the state.
Here's another article that better explains Palin's tax scheme.