GOVERNOR TRAIN WRECK…. The Republican Party’s base loves Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R). I can’t relate to their affection, but I recognize her popularity in right-wing circles.
That said, anyone who fails to realize that Palin is hopelessly confused just isn’t paying attention.
HANNITY: The price of oil is going up again. It’s not quite at $140 a barrel, but it’s certainly on its way up to $70 and $80.
PALIN: Yeah, well and I thank God it’s not at $140. You know people say, “Hey, Alaska! 85% of your state budget is based on the price of a barrel of oil. Aren’t you glad the price is going up?” I say, “No!” The fewer dollars that the state of Alaska government has, the fewer dollars we spend. And that’s good for our families and for the private sector.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Alaska residents pay almost nothing in taxes, because the state relies so heavily on oil money. If the price of oil goes up, Alaska gets more money. Palin argued on Fox News that would be a bad thing.
The problem, of course, is that Palin doesn’t understand why she opposes government spending. In general, the Republican line is that it’s important to limit spending so to keep taxes low and prevent deficits. But that doesn’t apply to Alaska at all — it already has exceedingly low tax rates and no budget deficit at all.
The governor, in other words, wants Alaska to have less money, just for the sake of having less money. Palin is the only governor in the country who can see her state’s budget go up considerably — giving Alaskan families more, and helping fuel the state’s private sector — without raising taxes a penny.
But Palin doesn’t want that at all, because she doesn’t understand the basics of how government works.
No one this conspicuously unintelligent should be in a position of power or authority.
