Posted by
Ron Devito on Thursday, July 23, 2009 6:35:12 AM
Over the past two days, Governor Palin has signed a number of resolutions and two pieces of legislation. They are:
Legislation:
SB 177:
Sport
Fish Guide License and Kenai River Management Area bill, which extends
sunset for sport fish guide program and addresses harvest data
collection (Palin, 2009, ¶1).
SB 125:
SB125
"Aerospace Corp bill, which encourages development of the industry in
AK as we capitalize on our strategic location on globe" (Palin, 2009,
¶1).
Resolutions:
Tenth Amendment
HJR 27: Alaska is a Sovereign State.
"Alaska
State Legislature hereby claims sovereignty for the state under the
Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all
powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government
by the Constitution of the United States" (Schilling, 2009, ¶6).
"Be
it further resolved that this resolution serves as Notice and Demand to
the federal government to cease and desist, effective immediately,
mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated
powers (Schilling, 2009, ¶7).
Energy
HJR 25: "
Classify Hydroelectric Power as Renewable Source" (Palin, 2009, ¶1).
HJR 28: "Oppose
Restricting Oil/Gas Development; we urge President to promote US
resource development. Pretty simple, Mr. President and Congress: choose"
(Palin, 2009, ¶1).
HJR
28, sponsored by Representative Craig Johnson, advises President Obama
and Congress against the adoption of any policy or rule, the passage of
any legislation and the issuance of any executive order that would
restrict energy exploration, development and production in federal or
state waters around Alaska, the portion of the outer continental shelf
within 200 miles of shore or within the continental United States
(Resolutions, 2009, ¶3).
“Alaska’s oil and gas resources can and
should be a major part of the implementation of any creditable energy
plan for our nation,” Governor Palin said. “The question is simple: Do
we want to increase the production of clean and safe energy in America,
with the additional jobs that would create here? Or do we want to
remain dependent on foreign countries, some of which don’t have our
best interests at heart?” (Resolutions, 2009, ¶4)
Foreign Policy, North Korea
HJR 12: Mid-Course Missile Defense
System "AK's system the only operational system defending against long range ballistics [missiles]. This
records concerns with threat of North Korea attack and questions
military cuts; we must be more than baffled by Fed's priorities; we
must take action" (Palin, 2009, ¶1).
House
Joint Resolution 12, sponsored by Representative Nancy Dahlstrom, urges
Congress to support the ground-based mid-course defense system. Alaska
is home to the largest ground-based mid-course defense missile shield
in North America. Because of its geographical position and proximity to
potential targets, Alaska plays a critical role in national security
and in the defense of American allies (Resolutions, 2009, ¶1).
“It
is critical that we continue to develop the global missile defense
network,” Governor Palin said. “The threat from North Korea is real.
Now is not the time to be cutting these programs. Alaska’s strategic
location and the system in place play a critical role in defending the
nation” (Resolutions, 2009, ¶2).
Commentary
Both
pieces of legislation continue the pattern of focusing on matters that
affect constituent's daily lives. The aerospace legislation in
particular is good for Alaska and ties in well with the missile defense
resolutions.
Resolutions are essentially position statements.
They do not have the force of law, but many resolutions, later on do
become the basis of legislation that is signed into law. If that
happens with the resolutions Governor Palin signed, it would be a
positive step for Alaska and our nation. We hope that Lt. Governor
Parnell (soon to be Governor) and Alaska's legislature will pass bills
that are in congruence with the aforementioned resolutions.
When
we read Governor Palin's Tweets, her release, and the World Net Daily
article, we see pure, un-adulterated Reagan Conservatism at work. In
her Tweet on domestic energy, Governor Palin says, "
Pretty simple, Mr. President and Congress: choose" (Palin, 2009, ¶1), harkening back to President Reagan's
Time of Choosing speech.
Governor Palin's position on North Korea can best be described as "Peace through Strength" or its antecedent: "
Si vis pacem, para bellum," as exemplified by her 14th cousin -- President Theodore Roosevelt.
Alaska
joins a growing list of states asserting their Tenth Amendment rights.
By doing so, and by Governor Palin signing that resolution, she has
executed the principle of a small federal government, empowering state
and municipal governments, and public-private partnerships.
References:
Governor Palin signs House Resolutions. (July 22, 2009). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1975
Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). "SB 177 Sport Fish guide/harvest data collection legislation" Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2771153482
Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). "HJR 25 Hyrdro-electric" Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2782593405
Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). Position statement on domestic energy. Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2781061731
Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). HJR 28 oppose restriction on oil/gas development. Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2781033227
Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). North Korea. Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2779511086
Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 22). HJR 12 -- Mid-Course Missile Defense Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2779453090
Palin, S.L.H. (2009, July 21). SB 125 Aerospace Corp bill. Twitter, AKGovSarahPalin. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://twitter.com/AKGovSarahPalin/status/2771097957
Schilling,
C. (2009, July 21). "THE SARAH CHRONICLES. Palin to feds: Alaska is
sovereign state. Constitutional rights reasserted in growing resistance
to Washington." World Net Daily. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=104524