Originally Posted by Boo

Looking forward to the PFD is one thing. Using it as a means of existance is totally irresponsible. Counting on it is another. Anyone that "spits" out babies just to get another check is so piss poor at math that they need to get a clue. I know I cannot feed, cloth and otherwise support a kid on $1500 a year (thats $125 a month) especially in Alaska. Yes, I understand that there are total morons that think its a good idea to make babies to increase their "PFD fortune". BTW, the PFD for 2004 (which could have been quoted earlier instead of the much higher HISTORIC value of 2002) was only $919.84. Raise a kid on that.

The best thing the oil revenues do for Alaskans is allow us to be state tax free (well for now anyway).

I understand that the oil in ANWR is not going to be enough to allow for North America to be free of its dependencies. I do believe that at least exploring and knowing what is is available may provide us oil in an emergency, such as a long term war, at least.




(more housekeeping)I agree that oil dependency cannot be solved by the oil in ANWR. If anyone is openly stating that it will, can, or should cover our complete needs then I have not read or heard about it. Lets try to keep this for what it is. A natural resource in an arctic area that with todays technology can be removed with minimal impact and risk. The big difference between drilling in Texas and drilling in Alaska is our roads melt in the summer and will disappear if we no longer need them.


I work with people in Prudhoe Bay and Valdez daily. Their purchase orders even have requirements on shipping containers and packing materials.