Long term perspective …

Please join me at a fundraiser for Representative Charisse Millet next Tuesday (September 18) from 5:30 – 7:30p at LaMex Dimond (8330 King St.)

I am realizing something this election cycle.  Its not a universal truth, but is more common that not.

Candidates that have grandchildren or another long term stake in this state are focusing much more than others on long term issues.  For example, concerns about the “fiscal burden” that current spending levels are creating for future generations (as UAA’s Institute of Social and Economic Research puts it in a recent paper) play prominently in the campaign materials of those with a long term stake.

On the other hand, candidates that are not as connected to future generations are using most of their time talking about all of the great projects they have delivered and plan on continuing to deliver going forward.  They aren’t focusing on the effect those projects are having on future generations, and when they talk at all about Alaska’s developing fiscal crisis, they usually suggest that its only a “revenue” problem, rather than what it is — a combined revenue and spending problem.

One candidate that understands the long term issues better than most — and perhaps is articulating them better than all — is Charisse Millet.

“Declining oil production and the current level of  state spending are on a collision course.   We can avoid a fiscal catastrophe by encouraging all forms of responsible resource development and limiting state spending.”

Please join me in supporting her campaign.  Start, if you haven’t already, by coming to listen and participate in the event next Tuesday.