Palin puts her political aspirations ahead of the needs of Alaska again. Absolutely nobody is surprised.

Gov. Sarah Palin is refusing to accept more than 30 percent of the federal economic stimulus money being offered to Alaska, including dollars for schools, energy assistance and social services.

The news Thursday drew anger from those who accused Palin of putting her national political aspirations ahead of the state's interests, and admiration from others who say she has courage to turn down money that would expand government. The state Legislature will have an opportunity to override her decision.


Palin is not taking about $288 million of the $930.7 million that Alaska is due in the federal stimulus. Palin said she is accepting the federal stimulus money that would go for construction projects, but not funding directed at government operations.

"We are not requesting funds intended to just grow government," Palin said. "In essence we say no to operating funds for more positions in government."

The biggest single chunk of money that Palin is turning down is about $170 million for education, including money that would go for programs to help economically disadvantaged and special needs students. Anchorage School Superintendent Carol Comeau said she is "shocked and very disappointed" that Palin would reject the schools money. She said it could be used for job preservation, teacher training, and helping kids who need it.

Palin said she's sure that her decision on the education money will draw the most heat, and that she wouldn't be surprised if the Legislature tries to change it. "It is a matter of discussing with our lawmakers if the expansion there is something we're willing to pick up the tab for when the federal dollars dry up, when they no longer flow into Alaska," Palin said.

Anchorage Democratic Rep. Les Gara argued that it's bad governing not to do things he said would improve schools and reduce the unemployment rate for two years just because it might not last forever. Gara suggested that Palin is pandering to voters outside Alaska in order to further her own national political ambitions.

"I'm worried the governor is taking this sort of national political stance, which is that she's going to be the opposite of Barack Obama on everything," Gara said.

Every scintilla of evidence available demonstrates that when Sarah Palin received the phone call asking her to be John McCain's running mate she washed her hands of Alaska, and the people of Alaska., and cannot stand the fact that she is back among us.

While she was out meeting throngs of mentally challenged supporters, the messes she left behind her, like Troopergate and babygate, served as the rain on her national parade. Because of that she grew to resent us even more.

She can barely manage to spend even an entire month on Alaskan soil before she has to fly off and bask in the spotlight of the national media.

Has there EVER been a Governor who has spent less time in their state? Ever?

The only money that she wants to accept from the federal government is money that will help her appear as if she is moving the gas pipeline forward and that can be used as a campaign tool for her next foray into national politics. But when it comes to the REAL needs of our fellow Alaskans she treats ALL of us like she did the native people of Emmonak. We simply do not matter.

If we cannot further her political aspirations or provide her more time in front of the cameras then she simply have no use whatsoever. If you bring up the national media and have them film her giving money to the poor, she will do it. Film her doing her job, and she will. Film her being a human being , and she will act the part. Right up until the camera runs out of film.

In Sarah's world SHE is not here to serve us, WE are here to serve her.