POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE

An Alaska political earthquake high on the Richter scale was announced in Washington DC today. Alaska’s Senior Senator Ted Stevens was served with seven federal felony indictments. Obviously, an indictment is not proof of guilt. I hope a jury finds no guilt – but “Uncle Ted” may have a tough row to hoe. Whatever, it’s only fair to credit Senator Stevens for the many benificial things he has done in the past for Alaska.

I took the photo at the right was taken July 11th, as Senator Stevens was addressing a joint session of our Alaska Legislature.

The political scandals in Alaska have been devastating to our state. Indictments, convictions, people going to jail, and rumors of more to come, have weakened the Foundation of Trust of government in Alaska. It’s not only devastating, it’s sad. That Trust must - and can - be rebuilt.

I’ve sponsored, and have had enacted into law, better and tougher ethics legislation. I’m proud of these new ethics laws, and I’ll continue down the path of supporting better laws. Maybe new ethics legislation may will assist the “ethically challenged.” Unfortunately, no law will fix the unfixable.

If any good is to come out of this mess, it may be some reaffirmation that no one is above the law, be they a millionaire, a member of congress, a state legislator, a captain of industry, or the guy next door. That’s the ideal. It doesn’t always work that way, that’s reality. But equality under the law in the United States – and Alaska – is better than anywhere else in the world.

Alaska has recovered from earthquakes before, and rebuilt foundations. I have faith that, when all this is over, Alaska politics will make us proud. One shouldn’t be in politics, unless they are an optimist. And I am.