After giving up on any change in Washington, D.C., concerning sound economic practices, I have turned my efforts towards Juneau. Alaska needs to be a safe haven for the people’s future.

Natural gas needs have exploded in the Asian market. Japan will be increasing their desire for liquefied natural gas (LNG) importation, with the reality of risk, to nuclear power. In the world’s fastest growing economies of China and of India, demand for LNG is expanding. Where does Alaska stand in the equation?

As usual, Juneau looks to Washington, D.C., or the mega-oil corporations for answers. The “banks too big to fail” control D.C. and care nothing about what happens to the people of Alaska. As for the oil corporations, we only have to look to Exxon Mobil behavior to see how Alaskans are treated by these multinational oil companies.

Fortunately there are small companies (wildcatters) coming forward to explore for natural gas in Alaska. We know what Washington will do — attempt to stop any and all development of our natural resources.

What will Juneau do? I spoke with Alaska’s Speaker of the House Mike Chenault last month. In summary of our discussion, he expressed how most state politicians and special interests look to Washington, D.C., for government handouts for economic success.

The federal money bag is empty. It is time Juneau politicians follow the dictates of the 2002 voter approved All-Alaska Gasline. Develop our resources and sell them to the world.

Juneau politicians need to understand, the people will hold them accountable for the future. Not just in the election process but through other processes for not following the peoples’ will.

Ray Southwell

Nikiski