The longest journey starts with the first step

By Dave Stieren
Staff Writer
The Alaska Standard

It’s called a tipping point. Our friends at Wiki define it as “the levels at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable."  It can be any event, series of events, or occurrence. It’s what makes the young nervous man ask the pretty girl out once he musters the courage, or the point where a young couple take the plunge into home ownership, or a chronic complainer gets so fed up, they decide to do something about it. It’s the distinct point in time, where someone stands in front of a camera, and declares their passion to move the state forward. It is the point where the selfless and the selfish clash, and only outsiders can determine which faction is the ultimate winner.

Sitting in the Alaska sun, with the yard mowed, the tea brewed, and the earphones on listening to Sinatra allows a certain level of introspection that are one of life’s fleeting moments. I had such an experience Saturday afternoon, while getting my normally pasty tummy burned Hawaiian red. What makes someone, anyone, decide to cast off the duties of the day, be it work, home duties, time with friends or family, and decide to open their lives to the spotlight of public, elected service? What was then private citizen Sarah Palin doing, when she decided that the governor’s office represented the nearly holy duty she needed to heed, to serve her fellow Alaskans, and then, 3 plus years later, tipped her to deny her once passionate faith? What makes a small business owner, a retiree, a teacher, employee, fisherman, make much the same choice? In an era where we hate politicians, what would possess someone to make the leap?

There are many answers I suppose. Some have run for office to right a wrong, and found once in office there was so much more to be done. Some run for office because that’s all they’ve ever done, as a “real” job was not something to interest them. Others perhaps, want to give back to a state that has allowed them an environment to be successful. Some are just narcissists, who thrive on the attention of being at all the right places, and knowing all the right people. And there are indeed some, who have the duty of running and holding office for the sole purpose of ensuring their sponsoring interests are fed and kept well. I gotta tell you, it can’t be for the money, or at least, it shouldn’t be.

If you are looking for some hidden meaning in these words, well, keep looking. As Jay Ramras said, defending himself from some very crazy and/or uninformed folks, “We are citizen legislators!” Yes you are, and as such, what penalty or sacrifice are we to expect from our neighbors, while we castigate them for making the sacrifice many of us are unable, unwilling, or too cowardly to make ourselves? The amount of stock Ramras owns in BP is ant dung compared to the shares of Exxon, Conoco, and other stocks the state owns in our Permanent Fund holdings, or the salaries paid to legislators or their family members by some of these very companies. Ramras owns a successful small business, and yet, whether you like him or not, serves the state. We have legislators who have faced and beaten cancer and other health issues, and have not walked away from their commitment. We have elected officials serving at all levels who use their position to further their own personal agenda, and perhaps will carry us along a bit on their way to their dreamed about finish line. Perhaps their self created tide will float all boats, or perhaps swamp many to float those of their biggest supporters.

In the next 30 days or so, Alaskans should begin to hear from those whom we may or may not have heard of, all voicing their interest in running for office. Perhaps next year’s primaries and general election will elicit a bit more of interest from the voting public, as all economic indicators show the days of wine and roses may be behind us. Perhaps it is time that we consider voting for citizen legislators that have hired and fired people. Perhaps we should look at someone who has poured cement and fixed the roads, as opposed to someone who’s been talking about it for years. Maybe, just maybe, we should look at more than just the name. Maybe a person should be a called a liberal or conservative by their voting record, and not their party affiliation. Perhaps a conservative who supports right to work legislation, a hard look and a willingness to make tough decisions on the funding of state retirement programs, and desire to be a conservative voice as opposed to being liked should be given a shot. It’s a tough journey, but someone has to take the first step.