Not fat cats nor majority
I have watched Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer shake hands and give speeches all over this state. I have watched her sing "God Bless America" at the opening of a small local football game and I find several admirable qualities that distinguish her from Frank Murkowski. Fran is articulate, intelligent, well spoken and informed on the issues. More importantly, when she talks about Alaska and its residents it is with true concern, compassion and empathy. I also find that she inspires me to be a better human being and a better Alaskan. When Frank Murkowski speaks I hear corporate America and fat cats from Washington, D.C., talking and telling me how to vote. On Nov. 5, I am voting for Fran Ulmer.
Many races across the state are being run on the premise that you should vote for a candidate simply because he/she is a member of the Republican majority. This argument is fundamentally flawed in that it assumes the Republicans will maintain the majority when there is hope for a more moderate coalition and in that the Republican majority has been good for Juneau and Alaska.
I don't believe the Republican majority is good for Alaska. The Republican majority has refused to address the fiscal gap and refused to address the subsistence issue, going so far as to not allow the very people who put them in office to vote on the issue. The Republican majority so poorly funded schools across the state that the Superior Court found that the legislative funding of schools was inequitable and discriminatory. The Republican majority voted against inflation proofing education funding and continually votes against full funding of health care benefits costing the state more money by failing to prevent problems before they occur.
Unfortunately, the Republican majority members vote and endorse candidates based on party affiliation. I want a representative who gives thoughtful and intelligent deliberation on issues before voting, not someone who just tows the party line. On Nov. 5 I am voting for Tim Grussendorf not because of his party affiliation but because he is the most qualified candidate for the job. He has deep roots in Southeast Alaska and is proud of his background as a fisherman, legislative aide, husband and father. I believe that a vote for Tim Grussendorf is a vote for a brighter future for Alaska.
Christine Hess
Juneau