Every time former Constitutional Delegate and Statesman, Vic Fischer, hears the ConocoPhillips’ ad declaring them, “Alaska’s Oil and Gas Company” he cringes because of the affront the ad makes to our constitutional values. He knows better than any living Alaskan, that “utilization, development, and conservation of all natural resources for the maximum benefit of its people” was never intended to maximize the benefit to an oil company in such a way that they could claim to be our company.

Unlike eight of his fellow Republican Governors who have put the interests of their residents ahead of party politics, Governor Sean Parnell is refusing to accept federal funds for expanding Medicaid to 37,000 needy Alaskans.

Although no fan of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, Governor Chris Christie from New Jersey explains his decision to accept the Medicaid expansion in typical blunt language: “It is now the law of the land, and I will make all my judgments as governor based on what I believe is best for New Jersey.”

Rarely have I gotten to experience the intersection of history over the years let alone in the course of one day. From watching President’s Obama Inauguration on Martin Luther King Day to taking in the movie Lincoln that evening, I had a full day of historical connections last Monday and what a treat it turned out to be.

The consumer engine of our society has a way of meshing the holiday season into one linked constant spending spree starting with Halloween and ending with New Years. Sandwiched in the middle is Thanksgiving which seems to take the brunt of all the new ways to lure consumer extremism. Black Friday followed by … what’s this flooding my Inbox … Cyber Monday. With all these new days created to spend, it feels more like ‘Thankspending’ instead of a day to take stock, give thanks and gather with loved ones.