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Monday, December 3, 2012

About Why did Palin charge Alaska an allowance while she lived at home

Why did Palin charge Alaska an allowance while she lived at home?
"Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has charged her state a daily allowance, normally used for official travel, for more than 300 nights spent at her home, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. An analysis of travel statements filed by the governor, now John McCain's Republican running mate, shows she claimed the per diem allowance on 312 occasions when she was home in Wasilla and that she billed taxpayers $43,490 for travel by her husband and children. Per diem payments are meant for meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business. State officials told The Post her claims — nearly $17,000 over 19 months — were permitted because her "duty station" is Juneau, the capital, and she was in Wasilla 600 miles away. The governor moved to Juneau last year but often stays in Wasilla and works 45 miles away, in a state office in Anchorage." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080909/ap_on_el_pr/palin_travel_expenses In my experience, you use the per diem allowance when you're on a business trip to pay for hotels and meals. If she's choosing to live at her home in Wasilla and work in Anchorage, I don't see why she's charging Alaska a per diem allowance for that. She has a home there, so there's no lodging costs, and she can buy and cook meals at home just as easily as if she were in Juneau. Yet she charged the state nearly $1000 per month on top of her usual salary. Can anyone explain why Palin would do that? I understand it's technically legal because her "duty station" is Juneau, but I don't see how she can justify it to the taxpayers.
Elections - 17 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
nobody can explain it. gotta make money somehow. they only made $125,000 as governer..........homie gotta eat!
Answer 2 :
She's a crook like McCain
Answer 3 :
I'd like a response from the other side, but you can jump to any conclusion you want. She could have killed someone with an axe, but I still won't vote for Obama.
Answer 4 :
Isn't that her duty as a Republican?
Answer 5 :
If this is the bes thing that can be found to complain about, she has no problems. BHO has been running for President for 4 years now, and nobody in the media raises questions about his ties to William Ayers, his lies about how much he worships Rev. Wright, his 4 years at Columbia that he won't release. Gov of a state comes with perks, that is one of them. She billed the state one fifth of what the previous Gov did for travel, and still people bitch and moan. Are all of the people that walk to work, yet still accept a car allowance check from work wrong? No, it's part of your pay and there is nothing wrong with accepting it.
Answer 6 :
she the next george Bush, corrupt is her middle name. McSame made a insane decision
Answer 7 :
Because she's so hot and precious.
Answer 8 :
Because this is just another example how she uses her office to abuse her power. Heaven help America should she and McCain get into office. I don't want to think about how she'll abuse her power with the second highest office in the land. Once again, she's proven herself to be a liar. Talking about not wanting pork spending, yet she's using her office to get thousands from her constituents.
Answer 9 :
Why did Palin charge less than her predecessor who was a democrat? You answered your own question. Keep looking Skippy, you're not there yet.
Answer 10 :
Political leaders have to entertain people for work purposes and is isn't uncommon for them to host meetings in their home. this makes the expenses allowable. If my husband brings clients home for business purposes I am allowed to be reimbursed for those expenses or to write them off of my taxes. Democrats don't work enough to have seen how this happens.
Answer 11 :
She will justify it by stating how much she cut expences since the last administration "Overall, Palin's travel spending pales in comparison with that of predecessor Frank Murkowski, who charged $463,000 for air fare in 2006. Palin charged $93,000 in 2007." from the same link you gave us but.... I still think its wrong...just saying that will be her response....
Answer 12 :
This is a Catch-22 for Alaska's govenors. By law, they are allowed to collect a per-deim when living outside the Juneau area. Palin, like many govenors before her, have remained in the Anchorage area and do work at the state house there. It is perfectly legal to collect this per-diem , however, you will be jumped all over by your political opponent for talking it. Per-diems are technically used to cover travel expenses, so it's hard to justify them when you are living at home.
Answer 13 :
Whoever wrote that article should be asking what is allowed by Alaska state law, what was Gov. Palin's travel budget, what has past precedent allowed, and why did the state's accounting office, comptroller or whatever, approve them for payment. Compared to her predecessor, I bet Gov. Palin was probably following rules for travel that had been used in the past. This sounds like the kind of crap that a journalist on a mission writes when there is nothing to write about! 6 minutes ago - Edit - Delete
Answer 14 :
Same reason she took, and sought, more federal government handouts to alaska than any other state get's per capita.. then with the overwhelming budget surplus after taxing oil companies.. she gives Rebate checks to every Alaskan with OUR MONEY. That's right... they could have used the oil taxes to get the stuff done they asked the federal government for. They take federal money, don't need it, and then pass it out to their citizens to boost approval. They say it's coming from the oil companies to fool the Alaskan people into wanting to drill. I wanna know this... if we drill in Alaska, are the Alaskan people going to get even more 'rebates', or are they going to start paying for their own infrastructure instead of taking what little money is left from the federal budget?
Answer 15 :
How can any politician justify the tax burden that they put upon tax payers? Check out the expenses put upon us by our representatives and senators for travel and luncheons. And this per diem was allowed by law for commuting from Wasilla to Anchorage. Just something else the leftist can make an issue of.
Answer 16 :
She did it because she COULD. Seems there were no challenges to her ostentatious/outrageous behavior. That said, The public needs to focus on the issues and not the superfluous activity of the politicos. The McCain/Palin ticket is more of the SAME as they follow in the footsteps of the Bush Regime. Do not be diverted from the critical issues such as basic civil rights, survival, maintenance of Constitutional Rights, employment, budgetary constraints, limiting "pork barrel projects " that are enjoyed by the select few, health care, education, fair wages, enforcement of welfare to work projects, limiting health care and other perks to politicos who are elected officials,decrease the bloated numbers of civil service employees along with their lucrative salaries.
Answer 17 :
Typical small town family values at work
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

About University hosting ROTC vs. traditional school for academics

University hosting ROTC vs. traditional school for academics?
Can I be accepted in a school for academics that does not host ROTC? How will that work? I live in Anchorage and plan on doing my Academics in a university close to where I live. The University that hosts ROTC is 400-500 miles away from where I live. I would like to know how exactly will that work out before I start completing my green to gold scholarship application. Thanks!
Military - 2 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
You'll definitely need to find a closer university. My school is a "satellite," meaning that we have enough cadets for a company but we have to go to another school for battalion stuff. The other school is 20 miles away and even that is a hassle. Your situation would just be impossible.
Answer 2 :
Impossible. You will either have to be apart of a "satellite school", be enrolled at a University with an ROTC program, or just stay in school and go to OCS later down the road
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Friday, August 3, 2012

About Alaska : Fairbanks : Finding work and camping out

Alaska : Fairbanks : Finding work and camping out?
I will be moving to Fairbanks and wanted to know what kind of work i can find there. Also, i have heard not so great things about Anchorage. Will Fairbanks be better ? And i sleep in tents. Is it easy to find a spot to pitch a 1-person tent near where work is ?
Other - United States - 3 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
Personally, I like Fairbanks compared to Anchorage but it's up to you (both have pros and cons). Can't really tell you about employment (Fishing industry FTW! xD) It really depends on a lot of thing. I would suggest trying to locate a job before moving. Unless you have a financial backup :o ...And tents o.O Why in the world o.o.... Any-who I suppose.. just make sure your company knows your doing this so they don't kick you off the property (Watch out fr thoose Alaskan CREEPERS :<) . But let me tell you something buddy :3 You are going to be a Popsicle. Just remember Alaska isn't for everyone. Alaska's pretty hardcore xP
Answer 2 :
I live just south of Fairbanks in North Pole. If you get work at any of the restaurants - be to ask everyone where they live and where they are from. It is not unusual for college age kids from Europe to come here - they will rent a cheap apartment and 15 people will split the rent in a two bedroom apartment. They are packed in like sardines in sleeping bags - but - at least it is dry and away from the mosquitoes. Fairbanks is a small city. You will not find many places to sleep in the open near where you work. Good chance you will have trouble with drunks. Me - I would bike back and forth to the homeless shelter near 23rd street and Cushman ave. before I slept in the open around town. North Pole is pretty quiet. Just North of the new hotel is a wooded area people camp out at - it is quiet and there has never been trouble there. There are 4-5 fast food places, video shop, super market and hardware store you could work at. Nothing to do at night - but - it's a safe and nice town. Good luck
Answer 3 :
As for work I would check the classified at the local paper the News-Miner: http://classifieds.newsminer.com/browse/index.php Not sure what you have heard, but I have found Fairbanks a great place, although I actually live in one of the many residential underlying areas. There is Fairbanks the city, downtown and the main center area of population. Then there is the Fairbanks North Star Borough , which is huge and includes the farther residential areas. AS for camping, right in town there are some campground but they will charge a fee. Out of town you may find places, but check to make sure you are not on private property, trespassing is highly frowned on. Fairbanks does not have great public transport and getting from a place you can camp to a place you can work will be an issue. And although the summer is warm fall get cold quick. I would not recommend coming here without some money saved to live off. And you will need to show some fund to travel though Canada, if you drive
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Sunday, June 3, 2012

About To Homeschoolers in Anchorage, AK: Break in October

To Homeschoolers in Anchorage, AK: Break in October?????
Alaska Bible College (where I attend and work) is planning on doing a campus experience called College Days in October, focused on homeschoolers in the Anchorage area. We would like to set it on a holiday or break, so that your students would not have to miss school. Is there a designated break in October that would be best to set it on? Or does every family or group have their own breaks? Help!!!
Home Schooling - 2 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
There are no designated holidays or breaks; every homeschooling family decides for themselves when they want to take time off from 'doing school'. You'd be better to go ahead and pick whatever dates that best suit you, advertise it in good time and then any interested homeschooling families can simply incorporate your event into their own schedules and plans for October. Most homeschoolers would not be worried about 'missing school time' as there is no obligation on them to study on set days or during set hours; that's one of the beauties of homeschooling! Home-educating families will either find a way of incorporating your event into their 'learning schedule' or they'll spend the time with you and just move any lessons to another day.
Answer 2 :
It would be different for every family. The best thing to do would be to set the date and announce it soon so that homeschool families who are interested will have time to plan a "break" for that time period
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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

About Where is the best place to work in Alaska

Where is the best place to work in Alaska?
I think I'm going to move to Alaska for the Summer for a nice change of scenery but I'm not sure what area I would want to live in. I've been reading about Anchorage which seems nice but I don't real want to live in a big city, I was going more for the wilderness perspective. ANy info on Alaskan cities would be appreciated!
Other - United States - 3 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
There are really only two places that will provide you a reasonable base for an entire summer... Anchorage and Fairbanks. And frankly, these general areas have the most summer jobs. Calling Anchorage a "city" is a relative term..!! But I understand your concern, 'cause in the summer it is overrun with cruise ship tourists that bring in the $$$. There are suburbs around Anchorage (Eagle River for instance, or Girdwood-a ski resort town about 30 minutes down the Turnagain Arm) that will give you more trees and less people, and still give you access to infrastructure. Being the central pulse, a lot of roads radiate out of Anchorage to other places you can go for hiking and great scenery, including the Kenai Peninsula (Turnagain Arm, Homer, Seward), and the road to Glenallen and the Canadian border. On this road, there is great and scenic hiking, such as the Matanuska Glacier right from the road, or take the detour to Valdez. You can even drive to Fairbanks through Delta Junction which is very beautiful. Fairbanks is the other town you may want to consider if you want less tourists yet still have some infrastructure. People here are friendly, very independent. They brag about % wolf in their dogs, and many mushers liver here so this should give you some idea about the place. You are right on the artic circle, so the sun NEVER goes down in the summer. Denali is close by with its hiking and wildlife, but I don't think the hiking or scenery is as beautiful around Fairbanks as it is around Anchorage and the Kenai peninsula, because you are inland, and the permafrost layer is closer to the surface so the trees are stunted. There are a lot of motels and lodges at the entrance to Denali Nat'l Park that may have jobs. Juneau and Sitka are secluded but you have to fly in/out or take the ferry. They do not give you access to decent roads, you will be bored in a few weeks. There is a town on the road between Anchorage and Denali (Mt. McKinley) called Talkeetna. It is quite bohemian, and was the model for the tv sitcom "Northern Exposure". A lot of mountain climbers start their trek there, and there is a GREAT airplane company called K-2 which will fly you around Denali...absolutely amazing. They fly the trekkers to the base camp of Denali. Other towns require you to stay put unless you fly in/out of them. The problem is when 20% of the population has their pilot's licenses, this tells you that much of Alaska is inaccessible and things are extremely far apart. At least in Anchorage or Fairbanks you will be able to drive or charter a flight to see other parts of the state. There is one town on the Katmai Peninsula you may want to consider as a base if you are into Brown Bear/wildlife photography or great fishing, and that is King Salmon. The motels and lodges there may also have jobs. No matter where you stay, you should book NOW to see Katmai National Park and view the brown bears at Brook's Lodge (Kodiak/grizzly/brown are all the same species) as space is limited. You will share the viewing towers with a lot of National Geographic and Discovery Channel photographers. There are Inuit (Eskimo) towns on the western coast (Nome or Kotzebue for instance), but I'm sorry, I have no idea what it would be like to live there. and what you could do for an entire summer, or even find a job there. If you don't go in summer, consider going in the end of February when it starts getting light and warmer to experience dog mushing (great fun), the Iditarrod, ice carving, etc. I love Alaska in the late winter! Please be aware that hiking in the wilderness in Alaska poses a lot more danger than the lower 48, make sure you read up on safety! Things you don't think of like 90%+ of foxes carry rabies there, the huge swarms of mosquitoes, etc. Bears and moose are everywhere, and if you don't lock up your food tightly in camp, you will have wildlife visitors within 24 hours guaranteed! Hope this helps.
Answer 2 :
peggy's cove, n.s.
Answer 3 :
Valdez is the place for you!!! It is mostly surrounded by mountains and has a small hospital, 4 restaurants, bar, thrift store. A job would be a waiter or working on the boats or oil cleaning barrels. Lot of land to hike and water to boat
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