Breaking like a clap of thunder out of a clear sky, announcement by the Alaskan Libertarian Party that Joe Miller is running on their ticket for US Senate really electrifies this campaign. Suddenly, true constitutional conservatives and Republican Party Platform adherents have someone they can rally behind.

Simultaneously, it has stimulated visibility of the long-standing, widening gulf between the left-leaning GOP leadership and the mid-to -right-leaning party base. Mirroring the national Republican Party, Alaska’s Good ‘Ol Boys Club has long brushed aside their own official platform and bullied the party toward liberalism. They repeatedly demonstrate to all who pay attention that their primary loyalty and effort is not to the jealous upholding of their party platform principles, but the tenacious maintenance of their iron grip on party control and power, principles be damned.

GOP party bosses’ regard for party politics and power over principle is plainly on exhibit as a matter of open record. The most cursory glance reveals their continued enthusiastic backing of Lisa Murkowski, whose track record is voting counter to the GOP platform and more consistently with the Democrats than all but one other US senator identified as Republican. Attempts by some of the true conservatives remaining active within the party to officially censure Murkowski for her consistent anti-party performance have been forcefully put down by GOP powers.

On the other hand, those same powers recently censured and damaged Lora Reinbold for her very straight-up adherence to GOP platform principles. Then just a few days ago party bosses openly threatened Amy Demboski for publicly announcing she will back the Alaskan Libertarian Party’s US Senate candidate because he sticks to principles that line up with the Republican platform.

Go figure!

Many loyalists to the conservatively constructed Republican Platform now find more commonality by gathering under outlying tents. One is the growing Alaskan Republican Assembly, “the Republican Republicans.” The poster child of State Republican Assemblies’, Ronald Regan called them “the conscience of the Republican Party.” Another tent is the surging Constitution Party, this election represented by six running for state office. Their platform is very similar to the Republican’s. When asked to explain the difference between Constitution party and GOP memberships, leading Constitution Party candidate Pam Goode stated, “Essentially, the main difference is this: we mean it!”

Another gathering camp whose core values are close to the GOP’s is the Alaska Libertarian Party, the ones who are presently banded behind Joe Miller. Note: Something these local libertarians would be quick to point out is this: Alaska’s Libertarian platform is much closer to the Republican Platform than is the national Libertarian Party’s. Most notably, the Alaskans veer from tenants of the national platform which so many conservatives take staunch exception to.

Former Republicans have gravitated to several other groups such as non-party-aligned Independents and Can’t-Take-It-Anymore Fed Ups who have thrown up their hands and given up on voting, period.

To make it very simple, every one of these outlying groups believes in and practices platform principles far closer to the Republican Platform than do so-called “Republicans” who run the GOP and their RINO senator.

Now turning from GOP Good ‘Ol Boys grime to focus on something bright and exciting to those on the right: true conservatives of all parties and non-parties now have a U S Senate candidate in Joe Miller who sticks tighter than bark on a birch as an unbending Constitutional, rule-of-law adherent and is as uncompromisingly conservative— both fiscally and socially—as they come.

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Donkeys, Elephants, and Rinos! Fitting names for the zoo like behavior of many in Alaska’s political environment where Democrats are running as Independents and Democrats claim they are running as conservatives, leaving Alaskan’s confused with their heads spinning as they try to make sense of it all. This mix-up likely stems from politicians and candidates not adhering to political party platforms which adds to the confusion regarding the definition of a libertarian.

What is a Libertarian? A Democrat, a Republican, a conservative or a liberal? How do you get to the truth and to the core of a candidate in order to understand who they “really” are? Many vote R or D out of tradition without understanding what their respective candidates actually stand for.

In order to understand our form of government and the division of parties we must begin with Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution. It states “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government…” It is my belief that in order to maintain and strengthen our freedoms, individual civil liberties and success we must sustain our Republican form of government. And, over time, it has become overwhelmingly apparent that this is best done through the implementation of Libertarian principles.

As I reflect upon my own upbringing, I have always been fiercely independent and self-determined with an eager desire to venture out into the world to pursue my own interests. Probably not that much different from most people. In many ways I attribute my internal compass to my Alaska Native Aleut heritage and the influences of my parents and grandparents who instilled their deep cultural Alaska Native roots in me.

Something I began to understand much better in my 20s was that a lot of people across all demographics shared many of the same feelings and beliefs. Naively I wondered if they were Aleut descendants too? Silly, I know. But, it became evident that we are naturally Libertarians, seeking to be free, independent, and respecting the freedoms of others. Being a Libertarian has always been natural for me. Being a Libertarian is being grounded in simple principles of liberty, personal freedom, individual responsibility, self-determination, and self-reliance, kindness, peace, and the utmost respect for life.

Let me correctly define what a Libertarian is in order to give clarity and correct stereotypes that have been made by non-libertarians about our philosophy.

First, there is a big difference between political party affiliation and philosophical beliefs. Just because one registers as a republican does not make them conservative. Take a look at the voting records of our elected officials and you’ll see what I mean. Republicans often self-ascribe as conservatives when many actually aren’t. Many that identify as conservatives often read parts of the Libertarian platform and comment, “that sure sounds conservative.” In fact many conservative principles are actually derived from Libertarian principles not the other way around.

Political party affiliation allows you to be a part of a group. Party registration is simply an association. And, when you consider that this is done completely outside of the authority of the parties, there are limited controls and standards applied to membership. Within that association however you will have many flavors of philosophical perspectives. The primary political affiliations include Democrat, Republican, and Libertarian. Political Ideologies may include but are not limited to Liberal, progressive, conservative, moderate and Libertarian. Libertarians are the only political party that describes its philosophy and the name of the party with the same term and this sometimes causes some confusion.

Libertarians believe in the idea of individual liberty, limited government, free market economics, constitutional government, adhering to the strict enumerated powers of government, self-reliance, the rule of law, and peace. These are just the tip of the iceberg.
Libertarians strongly believe in the rights guaranteed in the United States Constitution protecting life, liberty, and property. Libertarians defend each person’s right to engage in any activity that is peaceful, doesn’t encroach upon the freedom of others and encourages the diversity that freedom brings.

Libertarianism is often misunderstood and incorrectly defined by people on the right and left. Libertarians are not some hybrid of republicans and democrats. Libertarians are not a concocted half-breed of political ideologies and dogma. Libertarianism, plainly stated, is the counterpoint to both the liberal and conservative perspectives.

Democrats and Republicans love to define, wrongly of course, what a Libertarian is, who we are and what we believe. This is done to diminish our influence and ideological strength as a strategy, drawing Libertarians into their parties, for self-aggrandizement. Almost always, republicans, democrats, and the media purposely or ignorantly wrongly state the Alaska Libertarian platform, policies and positions. This leads to some libertarians to in fact themselves misunderstand true libertarian principles.

I refuse to stand idly by while those with deceptive political intentions try to define who we are and what we believe.

Myth VS. Truth about Libertarians:

MYTH #1:
Libertarians are pro-abortion. (We are not. That is a liberal Democrat position)

– We stand with the Declaration of Independence that proclaims that humanity is endowed with certain unalienable rights, including life.“

MYTH #2:
Libertarians are Pro Same Sex Marriage (We are not. That is a liberal democrat position)

– We believe that it is an improper role of government to “grant” permission and charge a fee for a licenses to marry anyone.

MYTH #3:
Libertarians are Pacifists (We are not. Pacifists are Pacifists and not libertarians.)

– We believe in the Non-Aggression Principle (NAP) and stand with the U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 8, Clause 11, often referred to as the War Powers Act, that a declaration of war is the authority of the Congress, not the President.

MYTH #4:
Libertarians are Anarchists (We are not. Anarchists are Anarchists and not libertarians.)

– We believe in the constitutional form of republican government that is laid out in Article IV Section 4 of the US Constitution. We believe in limited, defined, government.

MYTH #5:
Libertarians promote drug use through legalization. (We do not. This is a liberal democrat position.)

– Legalization is advocacy for access through permission from government with a fee or tax levied. This is not liberty, it is permission.

MYTH #6:
Libertarians pursue legalization of…

– We support the Declaration of Independence that demands that government does not over regulate. A prominent grievance by our Founding Fathers to King George was that “He has erected a Multitude of New Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their Substance.” Our nation was founded on the principle that government, in most cases, ought to leave us alone.

In Conclusion, the Alaska Libertarian Party differs from the National Libertarian Party platform in two distinct ways. Alaska does not address abortion or personal relationships. In addition some semantic word changes exist which are slightly modified to meet the needs of our unique lifestyle and cultures in Alaska. Additionally, Alaskan Libertarian candidates are free to define their degree of national integrity or “border control.”

Government should be a last resort not a first resource!

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Terrence Shanigan is the first Alaska native to be elected as Chair to a major recognized Party in Alaska. The Alaska Libertarian Party is proud of this distinction. He is a veteran, retired Alaska State Trooper, Alaska Native Aleut, former President of the Native tribe of Kanatak and Tribal Judge.

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

The People’s Natural Resources, and revenue from their extraction, are to be managed by the legislature for the “Maximum Benefit” of the people.

ALL revenue from the development of AK Natural resources (not just the Permanent Fund (PF)) is ultimately ‘owned’ by Alaskans who are ‘shareholders’. The Governor does not have the constitutional responsibility of using Alaskan’s natural resources. The determination of what is “maximum benefit” for the people is made by the Legislature. The Alaska Constitution has a built-in safety of the PF (and arguably its earnings) requiring a vote of the people. The Governor’s recent initiatives to influence the spending authority for permanent fund earnings have generated a recall effort and litigation, either of which could hurt more than help. I certainly do not want the courts to be making decisions belonging to the legislature, and the legislature needs the collaborative help of the Governor to make the spending cuts to balance the budget … something that will be difficult if he is in a defensive mode.

Over time Alaskans have developed a constitutional system designed to divide every penny from natural resource revenue into two distinct categories: money appropriated by the legislature (general fund) and money only appropriated by a direct vote of the people (the constitutional PF). Both categories serve the same constitutional purpose: The people’s “maximum benefit”. The defining difference is government spending power of the PF is forbidden.

Arguably, the PF is ‘owned’ by Alaskans (in common) at a different level than other natural resource revenue. Obviously the definition of “ownership” has nuances, but in this context, it is at least clear that, unlike any other State, there is a property right and responsibility beyond legislative access tied only to residency. The constitution further creates the authorization for investment of the PF and for the legislative appropriation of return on investment earnings, without biasing its use for dividends or as general fund revenue.

The legislature subsequently passed laws authorizing a dividend to be appropriated equally to each resident from the PF earnings on investments of the PF, the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). These earnings are held in an earning reserves savings account (ERA). The legislature determined only a portion (50%) of the annual earnings can be distributed as PFDs, the rest has been growing the ERA to its current level of nearly $9 billion. This extra ERA growth has become the huge irresistible ‘plum’ the Governor and advocates for more government spending are after.

All ownership “nuances” are eliminated when the PFD checks are written. Taking the ER before it becomes personal property eliminates the accountability that would come with a traditional tax. Spending without this accountability link has created the most expensive state government in the USA.

The PFD is taxable personal property and is meant to be managed and used by Alaskans under the inalienable rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States of America. Taxes are only politically feasible when voting Alaskans are content with the size of government.

“Restructuring the Permanent Fund”; “Protecting the Permanent Fund”; “Capping the Permanent Fund”… are code phrases for taking some of the coveted ERA and placing it directly into the general fund, just like the other 75% – the “spent” monetized natural resources. Simply ‘taking’ the money before it is personal property is not an option without a vote of the people who own it. It is not the right time to add ANY tax burden to Alaskans, but especially ‘taxes’ not clearly understood or specified in the constitution or state law. It IS the right time to make the cuts necessary to balance the budget while we have some transition money available in another savings.

I am still trying to process the Governor’s recent comment that the veto somehow allows him to be the one to blame, thereby allowing the legislature to support his proposed revenue bills in the subsequent special session? It seems to reveal an incredibly low view of legislators. The implication is we make our decisions based on fear of blame rather than on the values and principles for which we were elected. I can only speak for myself, but I voted for the PFD appropriation in the budget for Alaskans to receive full PFDs because it was the right thing to do. I highly value the need to pay dividends to the owners (Alaskans) of the investment capital as promised.

Need for a Careful Decision with a Deliberative Process

The recently touted legal argument that the legislature MAY “legally use PF earnings” is accurate in the narrow sense of the words, but worthless! It doesn’t answer the real question of whether it is constitutionally or logically appropriate. Only the legislature makes the determination of what is “maximum benefit” for Alaskans. Our responsibility is to make clear laws to do the right thing — not to find a loophole allowing us to appropriate without a deliberate public process. Debate on this ‘legal opinion’ is a waste of time at this point. The legislative GF expenditure for PFDs is based on exactly the same legal authority and jurisdiction as would be the approval of spending from the earnings for any purpose. If the legislature chooses to spend the earnings merely to keep government afloat, potential consequences include:

* Dividends will be capped or eliminated at some indefinite point when perceived needs warrant it.

* The PF investment board will encounter political pressure, beyond just the pressure to get the best monetary return.

* Misunderstanding of Legislative intent regarding use of the earnings reserves to settle future potential litigation. (This may have huge implications, for example, on the settlement of future retirement benefits shortfalls)

The point is simple. We have put MOST of the total natural resource money into the government checkbook to pay for government, and we have truly prospered in the pipeline era. The prosperity includes that which comes from jobs and services paid for with the high government spending. Now things are changing. Declining oil production and unexpectedly low projected prices have abruptly emphasized we cannot sustain our spending.

The next step must be to answer the question about ownership of the PF Earnings and propose a plan to keep us on the ramp to a balanced budget, a plan causing the least pain for most Alaskans. Alaskans could obviously choose to spend PF earnings to “extend the glide-slope” to bankruptcy or balance, but it must be just that — a choice of the people, not Governor imposition.

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Primary Elections are important! But, don’t be tempted to vote for a candidate based on partial truths, errors, or false implications. I am honored to be the sitting legislator of District 10 and am seeking re-election. The pursuit of and desire to become a public servant is an honorable part of our Constitutional Republic. However, I challenge my opponent to do so with extreme care, to not compromise accuracy for a short-term gain, to speak honorably.

I believe it is my responsibility to refute some of what is being stated in this campaign season. I invite you to visit the legislative archives and State law to verify these clarifications.

* I, Wes Keller, have in fact served as an Alaska State Legislator for NINE years. My first budget vote was in March, 2008. This was a memorable event for me with 29 Republican Majority “Yeas”, and 10 Democrat “Nays”; this was before the huge oil revenue drop.

* I am running for my FIFTH term. 2008 was my first election cycle.

* I am NOT in favor of term-limits for State level legislators. Each year there is more to learn and progressive learning provides more insight, experience, and makes us better communicating legislators as we work together. A State representative has a built-in, robust term limit every two years (re-election). US Congress term limits, on the other hand, are a completely different animal. I fully support Congressional term limits and welcome any opportunity to explain this further.

* My voting decisions are based on who I am in terms of values. It has been liberating and freeing to be true to myself, and thereby represent a majority of my constituents. It is my job to be transparent on voting decisions so constituents can decide if I do in fact represent them. I DO NOT vote based on party line, but my values align very well with the traditional Republican Party platform. I am pro-life, pro-family, pro-small business, and pro-limited government – and, I work grounded in the foundational values of American Constitutionalism. It has been an honor to be part of the Majority Caucus, whose consensus plan is determined each election cycle by the majority caucus of each house. This “consensus plan” is a compromise team to enable budget passage. This is why it is so important to make sure your legislator’s values represent your own. It is naïve, at best, to vow to not vote for a budget, or to promise to not join either the minority or majority ‘team’ (caucus). The bi-annual hope for us conservatives is that Alaskans will send enough strong conservatives to shape the consensus plan, to make the spending cuts we need. We are at a critical time in Alaskan history, and we need effective, experienced conservative legislators representing all Alaskans.

* The Governor made the decision on the PFD veto without the Legislature’s approval – It seems to be, in a “knee-jerk” reaction to the Legislature’s attempt to block revenue measures. Special Session agendas, in this case, were set by the Governor. The bills “handled” were approved/requested/negotiated with the Governor. An individual legislator CANNOT dictate what the Governor does and the Governor CANNOT dictate what the legislature decides. Each legislator MUST WORK with the other 59 legislators to come to a collective agreement.

Some general clarifications:

Alaskans are increasingly aware we do indeed have a fiscal crisis and are asking why? How did we get to spending more per capita than any other state? Are we going to have to liquidate or downsize some of our ‘crown jewels assets’? If so, which ones: Education (K-12 and UA)? Social Services (Medicaid, Food Stamps, etc.)? The Ferry system? Obviously, none of these would be beneficial to get rid of completely, so there is give and take in how to encompass the best major reform for the majority of Alaskans. I will fight to keep government limited, cut extra spending, and keep what most benefits Alaskans.

Constitutionally, it is the Alaska Legislature (NOT the Governor) who carries the responsibility for spending decisions. Spending decisions are a product of legislative consensus in the budget process. The budget process is a product of years and years of legislative rules and laws, and it is a slow process to change. Spending level reductions are directly tied to:

1. available revenue (we cannot spend what we do not have), and

2. the willingness of Alaskans to re-elect a majority of conservative spenders.

Nothing happens quickly or efficiently in a republic (by design). We must balance the budget BEFORE any new taxes – for sure BEFORE spending PF earnings.

The source of “All political power is inherent in the PEOPLE” (Art 1, Section 2). It is the voter’s decision whether they want an experienced legislator or ‘new blood’. I respect this power, and believe it is very, very wrong to intentionally mislead voters to either end. I will respect voter choice even if I believe they have been misled, but am obligated to try to eliminate confusions. Alaska is small, so every constituent has the ability to contact their legislator directly. Your voice, or lack of, DOES define Alaska.

The truth is I believe I am the best option for my constituents to best protect the interests of Alaskans. The Alaska Family Council | Alaska Family Action also believes this. The following is a recommendation from them:

“This one is a no-brainer. There are 40 members of the State House of Representatives – and not one has worked harder and more effectively to advance conservative principles than Wes Keller. Wes is a soft-spoken and self-deprecating man – but when it comes to supporting pro-life and pro-family policies, he is a rock star. His experience includes nearly 10 years in the state House, and also eight years serving as Chief of Staff for former Senator Fred Dyson, another champion of conservative and Christian values.”

* “Do you support school choice? Wes Keller sponsored the constitutional amendment (HJR 1) to make school choice possible.

* Do you support protecting religious liberty? Rep. Keller sponsored the most serious bill to prevent government discrimination against people of faith (HB 325).

* Do you support stopping Planned Parenthood from indoctrinating public school students? Rep. Keller sponsored a bill (HB 192) to keep them out of our schools.

* Do you support legislation to rein in liberal, activist judges? Rep. Keller is the ONLY House member who has made serious efforts (HJR 33, HB 200) to reform our out-of-control judiciary.

* Are you opposed to abortion? Rep. Keller has sponsored and co-sponsored numerous bills to increase protections for unborn children.

* Support family values? Rep. Keller sponsored legislation to try and keep pornography out of our public libraries.”

“Alaska is full of candidates who thump their chest about being “pro-life” and “pro-family” – especially during election years – and then go down to Juneau and do absolutely nothing to move the ball down the field on those issues. Wes Keller is that refreshing exception – a man with a strong moral compass and the courage to act on what he believes. Perhaps it goes without saying, but Rep. Keller has returned our candidate survey, and is solidly in alignment with AFA on every single one of our public policy goals.”

“Rep. Keller faces off against three other Republican opponents in the August 16 primary: Steve Menard, Andrew Wright, and David Eastman. Menard and Wright have not responded to the AFA candidate survey. To his credit, Eastman has responded to our survey, and indicates strong agreement with most AFA priorities. Regardless, this primary is not a close call: exchanging Wes Keller’s 18 years of battlefield wisdom for an earnest but untested candidate is not a smart trade. We need to send Wes Keller back to Juneau, so we can keep this savvy and courageous leader working on the issues that matter most.”

“Share this information with friends who live in District 10: Mat-Su Borough (Meadow Lakes & other Wasilla-area precincts, Houston, Willow, Susitna, Trapper Creek, Talkeetna).”

All State documentation can be found at https://akleg.gov/index.php.

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.