Is Sarah Palin still a resident of Alaska. Mostly likely not.

So the other day, as all of you well know, Mark Begich questioned whether or not Sarah Palin was still a resident of Alaska, and therefore eligible to run for his Senate seat. This resulted in an an angry and indignant flurry of Facebook and Twitter posts from the Wasilla Wendigo.

But IS Mark right?

Of course we know that Palin has spent a significant amount of time out of the state. But was it enough time to no longer be considered an Alaska resident?

That is somewhat hard to determine.

However in Alaska we have the Permanent Fund Dividend which EVERY Alaskan loves, and EVERY Alaskan makes sure to take advantage of as it is usually worth somewhere between 700 to 1000 dollars.

Now the eligibility requirements for receiving this money are as follows:

To qualify for a 2013 Permanent Fund Dividend you must be able to answer yes to all of the following statements.  

I was a resident of Alaska during all of calendar year 2012; 

On the date I apply for the 2013 Permanent Fund Dividend, I have the intent to remain an Alaska resident indefinitely;  

I have not claimed residency in any other state or country or obtained a benefit as a result of a claim of residency in another state or country at any time since December 31, 2011; 

I was not: 

• Sentenced as a result of a felony conviction during 2012; 
• Incarcerated at any time during 2012 as the result of a felony conviction; or 
• Incarcerated at any time during 2012 as the result of a misdemeanor conviction in Alaska if convicted of a prior felony or two or more prior misdemeanors since January 1, 1997  
• If absent from Alaska for more than 180 days, I was absent on an allowable absence; and 
• I was physically present in Alaska for at least 72 consecutive hours at some time during 2011 or 2012.

Pretty clear and easy to understand don't you think? And pretty flexible as well.

Essentially if Palin is not absent for MORE than half of the year, has not claimed residence in another state, and was not locked up for breaking the law, she gets this money free and clear, no strings attached (Besides paying taxes on it). And we all KNOW how much the Palin family likes to get free money!

So of COURSE she would have filed for the 2012 PFD, right?

Nuh uh, not right.

Following a thread that showed up in my comments section (Thanks by the way.), I did a little checking. 

I went to the PFD data base, downloaded the PDF for those receiving checks this year (You are welcome to do the same.), and guess what?

That's right!

Here is the list of Palins for whom there are apparently NO barriers for receiving the PFD: 

PALIN BRISTOL 
PALIN DIANA D 
PALIN FAYE IRENE 
PALIN JAMES DEAN 
PALIN JAMES FREDERICK 
PALIN KYLA GRACE 
PALIN LUZVIMINDA SERENO 
PALIN MIRANDA 
PALIN PIPER 
PALIN TODD 
PALIN TRACK 
PALIN TRIG 
PALIN VICTORIA ROSE 
PALIN WENDY ANN

Did you notice whose missing? I bet that you did.

As you can see Willow is also MIA. I would assume that is because she was in "hair school" though there IS an exception made for residents attending college in other states so I am not exactly sure WHY she is not listed.

So I think THIS explains why Palin got her panties in a twist when Senator Begich called into question her residency and whether or not she qualifies to run for a Senate seat here in Alaska.

Because she DOESN'T!

And that also means, if Todd Palin IS spending enough time in Alaska to qualify for the PFD, and the Grizzled Mama is not, that a certain blogger was right way back in 2009 about the state of their marriage.

Hmm, do I sense another Facebook post coming?