Analyzing the Freedom Orientation of Existing State Populations

By "Tennyson"

The political predisposition and climate of each of the 10 FSP candidate states is an important element, worth tracking and factoring in to our overall decision. One FSP member opined that, "EVERY state in this country contains a large majority too disgusted/apathetic to vote. And an overwhelming majority of those that DO vote are too confused/ignorant to make a consistent expression of their political disposition."

Like a good many generalizations, there is a degree of truth to that statement that should be acknowledged, but like all generalizations, it is best not to make life-changing decisions based on it.

Most people would question the assertion that the "overwhelming majority" (itself an inherently subjective term) in this country falls under the "confused/ignorant" characterization, but trying to prove or disprove the veracity of the statement is not a worthwhile exercise. Suffice to say that there are many people today who make conscious decisions not to participate and/or vote. Many people today proudly proclaim that they neither register nor vote, and have ready-made reasons why. Whatever their reasons, and whatever we individually may think of their reasoning, it indicates that at least some thought went into their decision.

However, all of this is peripheral to my central theme. Voter "apathy," "disgust," "ignorance," and "confusion" are not correct factors to focus on or gauge. We must discover a method of measuring a voting population's "predisposition." And while it would be helpful, indeed great, to know why the non-voters chose not to vote, such an investigation could easily become a rabbit hole diverting us from more important measurements.

In short, it is the voters amongst the voting age population (VAP) in the candidate states who warrant scrutiny.

Let me throw some numbers out. In the United States, the numbers breakdown as follows:

196 million eligible voters.
146 million registered voters.
96 million who actually voted (49 percent of eligible voters).

The above figures are helpful, but have limited utility. Let's move on to a more important subset of information. In the 2000 elections, the voter turnout within the 10 FSP candidate states breaks down as follows (from highest turnout percentage to the lowest):

STATE	2000 VOTING AGE POP.	TURNOUT (# Votes)	TURNOUT (PERCENT)
Maine	968,000	652,418	67.4
Alaska	430,000	276,749	64.4
Vermont	460,000	293,206	63.7
New Hampshire	911,000	567,715	62.3
Montana	668,000	411,083	61.5
North Dakota	477,000	288,321	60.4
Wyoming	358,000	213,759	59.7
South Dakota	543,000	316,262	58.2
Delaware	582,000	327,507	56.3
Idaho	921,000	494,470	53.7

Why would Maine and Idaho, two states with quite similar voting age populations (VAP), have such a marked disparity in voter turnout? Proportionately, approximately 130,000 (10.7%) more decided to vote in Maine than in Idaho. Were the voters in Idaho "apathetic"? "Disgusted"? Were they disenfranchised or less civic-minded? What does this raw difference in numbers, some 130,000, mean for the FSP? Can we capitalize on this? If so, the information should certainly be factored in.

Better yet, and more salient to the issue regarding political predisposition/climate of each of the 10 candidate states, what can we conclude from those who did vote? Consider these figures (collected from http://www.fairvote.org/turnout/prevote2000.htm):

STATE	TURNOUT (%)	BUSH	GORE	NADER	BUCHANAN	BROWNE	HAGELIN	PHILLIPS
ME	67.4	286,616	319,951	37,757	4,315	2,957	N/A	822
AK	64.4	167,398	79,004	22,789	4,254	2,115	737	452
VT	63.7	119,775	149,022	19,810	2,182	728	210	N/A
NH	62.3	273,559	266,348	22,156	2,603	2,723	N/A	326
MT	61.5	240,178	137,126	24,487	5,735	1,723	679	1,155
ND	60.4	174,852	95,284	9,528	7,316	671	298	372
WY	59.7	147,947	60,481	N/A	2,724	1,456	427	724
SD	58.2	190,700	118,804	N/A	3,314	1,664	N/A	1,780
DE	56.3	137,288	180,068	8,288	775	774	107	207
ID	53.7	336,937	138,637	5,077	7,687	3,489	1,155	1,488

Now, these numbers are telling, but before I go on, let me say this: While I would definitely agree with those who warn against automatically assuming that voting for a Republican is better than voting for a Democrat---the equivalent of, say, picking between two lethal poisons---that was not the perceived case in the 2000 elections. Indeed, I think it's safe to say that going into the elections (regardless of what has happened since), few imagined the Bush/Cheney ticket to be greater "Statists" (Big S) than the Gore/Lieberman duet. And fewer still were prepared to argue that Gore, given his horrid record during the Clinton years, would be a better protector of liberty than the politically untested and relatively unknown Bush. One man was the sidekick of a president who did all he could to grow the central government more than any other in the history of the Union. The other was the son of a previous president and was being pitched as a Reaganesque figure who believed in smaller government. Reality has proved different, to be sure, but that was the "tale of the tape" going into the 2000 elections. From a Libertarian point of view, there was little choice in 2000: Few of us opted to vote for Gore.

But what do the numbers above say? For the sake of consistency, let's look again at the two states with the similar VAP numbers, Maine and Idaho:

State	Turnout	Bush	Gore	Nader	Buchanan	Browne	Hagelin	Phillips
ME	67.4%	286,616	319,951	37,757	4,315	2,957	N/A	822
ID	53.7%	336,937	138,637	5,077	7,687	3,489	1,155	1,488

First we need to do some rudimentary grouping: Grouping together Al Gore (Democratic Party), Ralph Nader (Green Party), and Dr. John Hagelin (Natural Law Party) yields a total of 357,708 votes for discernable Statists in Maine.

Similarly, lumping George Bush (Republican Party) together with Pat Buchanan (Reform Party), Howard Philips (Constitution Party), and Harry Browne (Libertarian Party), shows that there was a total of 294,710 votes for discernable Small-Government candidates in Maine. That's 357,708 votes for "Big G" candidates versus 294,710 votes for "Small G" candidates, a difference of 21%. That is, 21% more people voted for recognizably "Statist" (Big G) candidates in Maine, a state that already has a larger percentage of the population voting than the national average (67.4% in Maine vs. 49% for the national average). Not promising for FSP goals is it?

Now contrast the above with Idaho, which had 144,869 votes for the "Statists" while 349,601 voted for "Small G" candidates. That's 141% more votes for recognizably "Small G" candidates in the State of Idaho than for "Big G" candidates. That's almost 2 Ã‚Â½ times as many people in a state that on average (adjusted) had 10.7% less of the VAP participating than in Maine. Not only does this make Idaho a promising candidate for the FSP to begin with, but there is also room to gain additional supporters from the block of non-voters who, for whatever reason, chose not to vote. (Incidentally, Idaho VAP, although much less active than Maine's, still outperformed the national average---53.7% in Idaho to the 49% national average.)

The same analysis could be applied across the remaining 8 candidate states, giving us an additional lens through which to look at our candidates and measure our real chances of success. In short, the "political predisposition" of a state can make a huge difference for us, and these voting figures, measured together with other known factors such as gun control, home schooling, etc. can help us significantly. Thus, with additional number crunching across the 10 candidate states, a picture begins to emerge.

State	Voter Turnout	"Big G" Candidates	"Small G" Candidates	Predisposition by Percentage
VT	63.7%	169,042 votes	122,685 votes	37% Big G
ME	67.4%	357,708 votes	294,710 votes	21% Big G
DE	56.3%	188,463 votes	139,044 votes	35% Big G
NH	62.3%	288,504 votes	279,211 votes	3% Big G

MT	61.5%	162,292 votes	248,791 votes	53% Small G
SD	58.2%	118,804 votes	197,458 votes	66% Small G
AK	64.4%	102,530 votes	174,596 votes	70% Small G
ND	60.4%	105,510 votes	183,211 votes	73% Small G
ID	53.7%	144,869 votes	349,601 votes	141% Small G
WY	59.7%	60,908 votes	152,851 votes	151% Small G

Here we can see that the statement made by politicos and election analysts---that the western "fly-over" states tend to be more conservative, small government states---is certainly true with our candidates. Indeed, the numbers are most revealing when compared against the FSP candidate states in the East.

Although there are Libertarian Party (LP) constituencies in states like Maine and New Hampshire, the overall numbers are more telling. In fact all the eastern states except NH have a strong statist predisposition. And while New Hampshire is putting up a good fight, it would appear their days are numbered as the ongoing influx of statist voters from Massachusetts looking for more affordable homes continues unabated.

There is another way to measure political predisposition in a state, and that is political party registration. Consider these VAP figures for, variously, Alaska, Maine, Delaware, and New Hampshire as of 2000 (with a separate analysis for each state).

(NOTE: * All data is for September, October or November 2000, except Maine, which is for June 2000.
** The parties in the "Other" column are: In Alaska, 19,346 Alaskan Independence and 2,094 Republican Moderate.
*** Dashes mean that the voters are not permitted to register into a particular party, since the particular party is not, or was not, qualified in that state, and the state won't let people register into unqualified parties. A question mark means that the state has not tabulated the number of registrants in a particular party.)

ALASKA:

State	Democrat	Repub	Indep	Constit	LP	Green	Reform	Natlaw	Other
AK	76,561	116,059	248,374	5	6,884	4,260	58	7	21,440

NOTES: Typically independents (Indep) could be nullified, as they tend to split down the middle and cancel each other out. However, sometimes a particular state's registered "Independent" voters tend to lean heavily towards Statist or non-Statist platforms which can be measured again and again. This gives us an indication of the "political predispositions" of the registered Independents as a voting block of the state in question. So let's start:

248,374 Registered Independents.
Alaska Totals:

80,828 voters registered with "Big G" parties.
144,453 voters registered with "Small G" parties.
Raw registered voter numbers: 78% more predisposed to "Small G" parties over "Big G" parties.
Raw 2000 Presidential numbers including Independents: Alaskans voted 70% more for "Small G" candidates.
Difference between 70% and 78%: Margin indicating Independent split between Big G and Small G candidates; that is, in the election Independents tended to vote 8% more in favor of Big G candidates than raw voter registration numbers would indicate. If Independents had split the same way the political party registration numbers had split, then the vote in the presidential election would have been 78% more for Small G candidates instead of 70% more.

MAINE:

State	Democrat	Repub	Indep	Constit	LP	Green	Reform	Natlaw	Other
ME	280,987	265,889	330,430	?	?	2,152	2,879	?	N/P

330,430 Registered Independents.
Maine Totals:

283,139 voters registered with "Big G" parties.
268,768 voters registered with "Small" G parties.
Raw Registered Voter numbers: 5% more predisposed to "Big G" parties over "Small G" parties.
Raw 2000 Presidential numbers including Independents: Maine voted 21% more for "Big G" candidates.
Difference between 5% and 21%: Significant percentage indicating Independents lean towards Big G candidates.

DELAWARE:

State	Democrat	Repub	Indep	Constit	LP	Green	Reform	Natlaw	Other
DE	214,515	171,447	115,228	291	738	473	295	334	351

115,228 Registered Independents.
Delaware Totals:

215,322 voters registered with "Big G" parties.
172,771 voters registered with "Small" G parties.
Raw Registered Voter numbers: 24% more predisposed to "Big G" parties over "Small G" parties.
Raw 2000 Presidential numbers including Independents: Delaware voted 35% more for "Big G" candidates.
Difference between 24% and 35%: Significant percentage indicating Independents lean towards "Big G" candidates.

***
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
>>>>>> The most interesting so far is New Hampshire.<<<<<<

State	Democrat	Repub	Indep	Constit	LP	Green	Reform	Natlaw	Other
NH	224,564	302,138	329,817	?	?	?	?	?	N/P

224,564 Registered Independents.
New Hampshire Totals:

224,564 voters registered with "Big G" parties.
302,138 voters registered with "Small" G parties.
Raw Registered Voter numbers: 34% more predisposed to "Small G" parties over "Big G" parties. (great!)
Raw 2000 Presidential numbers including Indpendents: NH voted 3% more for "Big G" candidates (that's a killer).
Difference between 34% and a 3% swing: Significant percentage indicating Indpendents leaned heavily towards Big G candidates.

Here is a classic example of Independents reversing the Big Party fates and fortunes, and subsequently the fate and fortune of the state. In this case, NH independents made a conscious decision to vote for Al Gore---who was understood to be a hard core left-winger, big government, and UN (New World Order) advocate---over George Bush, who at the time was portrayed as a small government, "local empowerment," anti-NWO advocate.

Looking at the numbers again, this time from the "Registered Voters" perspective, we get similar results where the states in the East appear to have insurmountable Big Government/Statist leanings. The one state that was not East coast, Alaska, registered similar numbers to those of my previous analysis using the raw 2000 Presidential numbers.

I suspect running the "Registered Voter" figures against the western based "fly-over" states would also look similar to the previous numbers. The important thing to note here is that, when using the "Registered Voter" numbers, the eastern states indicate an even heavier bias toward Big Government parties than our first analysis using the total presidential vote numbers.

Either way, there are no conflicts between the raw presidential vote totals and the "Registered Voter" numbers. In fact, the figures support and corroborate each other.

In the end, the FSP must pick from amongst those states that offer a real chance of succeeding in its audacious plan. Population size is critical but political predisposition, judging from the evidence so far, may be just as important. We cannot expect to effect a major change in the prevailing attitude (read "political predisposition") of the existing population in a state. We can only hope to make incremental changes over time. Therefore, the FSP must seek out those groups of people who are most amenable to our beliefs.

The FSP can work with those states that have a large percentage of non-voters (call them the "disgusted," the "disenfranchised," or the "moral abstainers"). They are fodder for our canon.

But far more important are those voters that get out and vote in every election. With respect to them, this much is true: The greatest chasm between the FSP and success is that between between a Libertarian and a Democrat. And the shortest distance between us and success is that between a Libertarian and a Philips supporter (Constitution Party), followed closely by a Buchanan-ite, and then, most importantly, by a Republican.

Rank the States on Your Own Criteria

// Normalize the values to unit volume function norm_vals (vals) { min = max = vals[0]; for (i = 0 ; i < 10 ; i++) { if (vals[i] < min) { min = vals[i]; } if (vals[i] > max) { max = vals[i]; } } range = max - min; for (i = 0 ; i < 10 ; i++) { vals[i] = (vals[i] - min) / range; } } // Calculate the sum of all the parameters for a particular state function sum_states (pop,gov1,area,gov2,ins,inc,vote,dep,fin,tax,blm,efi,pland,job,liv,land,crm,pres,urba,gun,urbc,gov3,nea,geo,ii,weight) { rv = 0; rv += (pop[ii] * weight[0]); rv += (gov1[ii] * weight[1]); rv += (area[ii] * weight[2]); rv += (gov2[ii] * weight[3]); rv += (ins[ii] * weight[4]); rv += (inc[ii] * weight[5]); rv += (vote[ii] * weight[6]); rv += (dep[ii] * weight[7]); rv += (fin[ii] * weight[8]); rv += (tax[ii] * weight[9]); rv += (blm[ii] * weight[10]); rv += (efi[ii] * weight[11]); rv += (pland[ii] * weight[12]); rv += (job[ii] * weight[13]); rv += (liv[ii] * weight[14]); rv += (land[ii] * weight[15]); rv += (crm[ii] * weight[16]); rv += (pres[ii] * weight[17]); rv += (urba[ii] * weight[18]); rv += (gun[ii] * weight[19]); rv += (urbc[ii] * weight[20]); rv += (gov3[ii] * weight[21]); rv += (nea[ii] * weight[22]); /* // Location, locked if ((weight[23] != 0) && (geo[ii] == 1)) { rv += (1.0 * weight[23]); } // Location, isolated if ((weight[24] != 0) && (geo[ii] == 2)) { rv += (1.0 * weight[24]); } // Location, canada if ((weight[25] != 0) && (geo[ii] == 3)) { rv += (1.0 * weight[25]); } // Location, coast if ((weight[26] != 0) && (geo[ii] == 4)) { rv += (1.0 * weight[26]); } */ return (rv); } // Sort numerically function numberorder (a, b) { return a-b; } // The main workhorse function compute(form) { // The current data Pop = new Array(); Pop.push(494); Pop.push(635); Pop.push(634); Pop.push(613); Pop.push(757); Pop.push(796); Pop.push(904); Pop.push(1321); Pop.push(1259); Pop.push(1287); Area = new Array(); Area.push(97105); Area.push(570374); Area.push(68994); Area.push(9249); Area.push(75898); Area.push(1955); Area.push(145556); Area.push(82751); Area.push(8969); Area.push(30865); Ins = new Array(); Ins.push(42.5); Ins.push(38.1); Ins.push(72.5); Ins.push(54.3); Ins.push(68.1); Ins.push(48.3); Ins.push(56.1); Ins.push(47.2); Ins.push(43.3); Ins.push(67.3); Geo = new Array(); Geo.push(1); Geo.push(2); Geo.push(3); Geo.push(3); Geo.push(1); Geo.push(4); Geo.push(3); Geo.push(3); Geo.push(4); Geo.push(4); Vote = new Array(); Vote.push(213); Vote.push(288); Vote.push(290); Vote.push(291); Vote.push(316); Vote.push(328); Vote.push(411); Vote.push(488); Vote.push(567); Vote.push(647); Fin = new Array(); Fin.push(4.7); Fin.push(6.1); Fin.push(4.2); Fin.push(4.3); Fin.push(13.8); Fin.push(8.7); Fin.push(10.9); Fin.push(7.7); Fin.push(8.2); Fin.push(11.4); Blm = new Array(); Blm.push(45.9); Blm.push(67); Blm.push(3.9); Blm.push(6.4); Blm.push(6.3); Blm.push(2); Blm.push(28.8); Blm.push(62.7); Blm.push(12.8); Blm.push(1); Pland = new Array(); Pland.push(47.782); Pland.push(23.77); Pland.push(62.684); Pland.push(7.791); Pland.push(69.186); Pland.push(1.812); Pland.push(91.1); Pland.push(24.52); Pland.push(7.36); Pland.push(29.103); Liv = new Array(); Liv.push(29.72); Liv.push(24.86); Liv.push(28.23); Liv.push(27.63); Liv.push(29.02); Liv.push(25.93); Liv.push(23.98); Liv.push(25.56); Liv.push(31.81); Liv.push(28.53); Crm = new Array(); Crm.push(3518); Crm.push(4236); Crm.push(2418); Crm.push(2769); Crm.push(2332); Crm.push(4053); Crm.push(3689); Crm.push(3133); Crm.push(2322); Crm.push(2688); UrbA = new Array(); UrbA.push(25.5); UrbA.push(44.3); UrbA.push(35.8); UrbA.push(17.3); UrbA.push(25.8); UrbA.push(67.8); UrbA.push(25.9); UrbA.push(46.7); UrbA.push(44.6); UrbA.push(24.6); UrbC = new Array(); UrbC.push(39.8); UrbC.push(21.4); UrbC.push(20.0); UrbC.push(20.9); UrbC.push(26.2); UrbC.push(12.2); UrbC.push(28.1); UrbC.push(19.7); UrbC.push(14.6); UrbC.push(15.6); Gov1 = new Array(); Gov1.push(13.4); Gov1.push(19.1); Gov1.push(14.4); Gov1.push(13.0); Gov1.push(12.7); Gov1.push(9.2); Gov1.push(16.5); Gov1.push(13.1); Gov1.push(7.7); Gov1.push(14.1); Gov2 = new Array(); Gov2.push(9.4); Gov2.push(9.7); Gov2.push(9.1); Gov2.push(9.7); Gov2.push(8.3); Gov2.push(6.9); Gov2.push(10.8); Gov2.push(9.5); Gov2.push(6.2); Gov2.push(9.8); Inc = new Array(); Inc.push(37.9); Inc.push(51.6); Inc.push(34.6); Inc.push(40.9); Inc.push(35.3); Inc.push(47.4); Inc.push(33.0); Inc.push(37.6); Inc.push(49.5); Inc.push(37.2); Dep = new Array(); Dep.push(1.14); Dep.push(1.63); Dep.push(1.95); Dep.push(1.12); Dep.push(1.50); Dep.push(0.86); Dep.push(1.67); Dep.push(1.24); Dep.push(0.71); Dep.push(1.31); Tax = new Array(); Tax.push(9.8); Tax.push(6.3); Tax.push(10.2); Tax.push(11.0); Tax.push(9.1); Tax.push(10.2); Tax.push(10.0); Tax.push(10.5); Tax.push(8.6); Tax.push(12.8); Efi = new Array(); Efi.push(4.41); Efi.push(6.01); Efi.push(5.00); Efi.push(5.59); Efi.push(4.47); Efi.push(4.56); Efi.push(5.20); Efi.push(3.92); Efi.push(4.55); Efi.push(6.22); Job = new Array(); Job.push(27.45); Job.push(48.65); Job.push(34.35); Job.push(36.65); Job.push(55.6); Job.push(75.95); Job.push(79.9); Job.push(185.9); Job.push(105.7); Job.push(65.4); Land = new Array(); Land.push(10); Land.push(10); Land.push(10); Land.push(0); Land.push(10); Land.push(0); Land.push(10); Land.push(6.7); Land.push(3.3); Land.push(3.3); Pres = new Array(); Pres.push(69.9); Pres.push(59.8); Pres.push(61.0); Pres.push(41.4); Pres.push(60.8); Pres.push(42.2); Pres.push(59.1); Pres.push(68.2); Pres.push(48.6); Pres.push(44.5); Gun = new Array(); Gun.push(-4); Gun.push(-8); Gun.push(-5); Gun.push(-5); Gun.push(-3); Gun.push(2); Gun.push(-6); Gun.push(-3); Gun.push(0); Gun.push(-10); Gov3 = new Array(); Gov3.push(22.0); Gov3.push(29.6); Gov3.push(18.5); Gov3.push(13.9); Gov3.push(17.5); Gov3.push(13.3); Gov3.push(20.0); Gov3.push(17.3); Gov3.push(13.8); Gov3.push(15.4); Nea = new Array(); Nea.push(1.16); Nea.push(2.15); Nea.push(1.41); Nea.push(1.46); Nea.push(0.86); Nea.push(1.16); Nea.push(1.57); Nea.push(0.84); Nea.push(0.84); Nea.push(1.42); num = 27; // First, normalize all the data norm_vals (Pop); norm_vals (Area); norm_vals (Ins); norm_vals (Vote); norm_vals (Fin); norm_vals (Blm); norm_vals (Pland); norm_vals (Liv); norm_vals (Crm); norm_vals (UrbA); norm_vals (UrbC); norm_vals (Gov1); norm_vals (Gov2); norm_vals (Inc); norm_vals (Dep); norm_vals (Tax); norm_vals (Efi); norm_vals (Job); norm_vals (Land); norm_vals (Pres); norm_vals (Gun); norm_vals (Gov3); norm_vals (Nea); // norm_vals (Geo); // Grab the weights weight = new Array(); for (i = 0 ; i < num ; i++) { if ((document.forms[0].elements[i].value < -10) || (document.forms[0].elements[i].value > 10)) { var msg; msg = "All Weights must be between -10 and 10 (inclusive)" alert (msg); return (false); } if (document.forms[0].elements[i].value == "") { weight[i] = 0; } else { weight[i] = document.forms[0].elements[i].value; } } // Calculate the results sums = new Array(); for (i = 0 ; i < 10 ; i++) { rv = sum_states (Pop,Gov1,Area,Gov2,Ins,Inc,Vote,Dep,Fin,Tax, Blm,Efi,Pland,Job,Liv,Land,Crm,Pres,UrbA,Gun,UrbC, Gov3,Nea,Geo,i,weight); sums[i] = rv; } Wy = sums[0]; Ak = sums[1]; Nd = sums[2]; Vt = sums[3]; Sd = sums[4]; De = sums[5]; Mt = sums[6]; Id = sums[7]; Nh = sums[8]; Me = sums[9]; form.wy.value = Wy; form.ak.value = Ak; form.nd.value = Nd; form.vt.value = Vt; form.sd.value = Sd; form.de.value = De; form.mt.value = Mt; form.id.value = Id; form.nh.value = Nh; form.me.value = Me; sums.sort(numberorder); rank = new Array(); rank[0] = 0; rank[1] = 0; rank[2] = 0; rank[3] = 0; rank[4] = 0; rank[5] = 0; rank[6] = 0; rank[7] = 0; rank[8] = 0; rank[9] = 0; for (i = 0 ; i < 10 ; i++) { if (sums[i] == Wy) { rank[0] = 10 - i; } if (sums[i] == Ak) { rank[1] = 10 - i; } if (sums[i] == Nd) { rank[2] = 10 - i; } if (sums[i] == Vt) { rank[3] = 10 - i; } if (sums[i] == Sd) { rank[4] = 10 - i; } if (sums[i] == De) { rank[5] = 10 - i; } if (sums[i] == Mt) { rank[6] = 10 - i; } if (sums[i] == Id) { rank[7] = 10 - i; } if (sums[i] == Nh) { rank[8] = 10 - i; } if (sums[i] == Me) { rank[9] = 10 - i; } } form.wy_r.value = rank[0]; form.ak_r.value = rank[1]; form.nd_r.value = rank[2]; form.vt_r.value = rank[3]; form.sd_r.value = rank[4]; form.de_r.value = rank[5]; form.mt_r.value = rank[6]; form.id_r.value = rank[7]; form.nh_r.value = rank[8]; form.me_r.value = rank[9]; return (0); }

Rank the States on Your Own Criteria

The following ranking system is easier and allows more freedom than the spreadsheet, but it can also be trickier! Refer to the State Data page and follow the instructions below.

To assign weights, ask yourself if a large number for a particular item is good or bad. For instance, if a large population is good, then assign the weight a large positive value. If a large population is bad, assign the weight a large negative value. If you don't care, the weight value should be zero (or near zero). Weights can be any value from -10 to 10 (inclusive). (Note the legend for each variable at the bottom.)

Once you've entered the weights, click on the 'Calculate' button and the results will appear in the labeled boxes below. Interpreting the results is easy: the higher (more positive) the value, the higher your preference for that state! The ranking of the state (1 thru 10) is also shown.

General Data Weights		Economic and Political Data Weights
Pop		Gov1
Area		Gov2
Ins		Inc
Vot		Dep
Fin		Tax
Blm		EFI
Pland		Job
Liv		Land
Crm		Pres
UrbA		Gun
UrbC		Gov3
		NEA

State	State	State
WY:	AK:	ND:
VT:	SD:	DE:
MT:	ID:	NH:
ME:
Pop=Population in 1000's Area=Area in square miles Ins=% of state population born inside the state, from Census Geo=Geography ("Coast" is best; "Locked" is worst) Vot=1000's of ballots cast in 2000 presidential election (lower numbers are better) Fin=total campaign funds raised by all US House & Senate candidates in most expensive election of last 6 years, in millions of $ (lower numbers are better) Blm=% of state's territory owned by federal government (lower numbers are better) PLand= amount of private and locally owned land (not state or federal), in millions of square miles Liv=Livability rating, 2002, from Morgan Quitno Press (higher numbers are supposed to be better - but the factors that go into the rating are sometimes dubious) Crm=violent and property crimes per hundred thousand residents, 2001 (lower numbers are better) UrbA=population in urbanized areas as % of total population UrbC=population in urban clusters as % of total population (rban clusters are densely populated small towns)
Gov1=Federal, state, and local government spending as a percentage of Gross State Product (lower numbers are better) Gov2=State and local government spending as a percentage of Gross State Product (lower numbers are better) Inc=Median household income in $1000s (higher is better) Dep=$ this state gets back in federal expenditures for every $1 paid in federal taxes, 2001 (lower is better) Tax=State and local taxes (all sources) as a percentage of income, 2000 (lower is better) EFI=Economic Freedom Index (lower numbers are better) Job=1000's of new jobs forecast, 1998-2008 (higher is better: this variable is more important than current unemployment rate) Land=lack of statewide land planning schemes, 10-point scale (higher is better) Pres=sum of vote percentages for Republican, Libertarian, and Constitution presidential candidates in last election (higher numbers are better: in presidential elections votes for Republicans generally indicate a rough support for the free market over socialism, whereas on the state level both Republicans and Democrats may differ from the positions of the national parties) Gun=severity of state gun control laws, as estimated by the poorly-named Open Society Institute (states that score lower are better for us!) Gov3=Percentage of state population employed by state and local governments, 2001 NEA=Percentage of state population in the National Education Association or American Federation of Teachers

State Reports

(See also: State Data)

Alaska
- State Ballot Report (PDF file)
- Alaska #1 (8/28/02)
- Alaska #2 (7/1/03) (PDF file)
- Alaska #3 (8/8/03)
Delaware
- State Ballot Report (PDF file)
- Delaware #1 (8/28/02)
- Delaware #2 (12/17/02)
Idaho
- State Ballot Report (PDF file)
- Idaho #1 (8/5/02)
- Idaho #2 (4/25/03)
Maine
- State Ballot Report (PDF file)
- Maine #1 (8/28/02)
Montana
- State Ballot Report (PDF file)
- Montana #1 (7/24/02)
- Montana #2 (5/13/03)
- Montana #3 "102 Reasons Why Montana Should be Chosen as the Free State" (8/9/03)
- Montana #4 (From The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 9/8/03)
New Hampshire
- State Ballot Report (PDF file)
- New Hampshire #1 (8/6/02)
- New Hampshire #2 (8/20/02)
- New Hampshire #3 (7/3/03)
- New Hampshire #4 "Towards Victory: A Strategy for Achieving a Libertarian Caucus Way" (7/03)
- New Hampshire #5 "101 Reasons to Vote N.H." (PDF file)
- New Hampshire for Porcupines! by Tim Condon (6/22/03)
- Leveraging the Spirit of the West in New Hampshire by James Maynard (9/5/03)
North Dakota
- State Ballot Report (PDF file)
- North Dakota #1
South Dakota
- State Ballot Report (PDF file)
- South Dakota #1
- South Dakota #2 (7/1/03)
Vermont
- State Ballot Report (PDF file)
- Vermont #1 (7/27/02)
- Vermont #2 (2/5/03)
Wyoming
- State Ballot Report (PDF file)
- Wyoming #1
- Wyoming #2 (4/9/03)
- Wyoming #3 (No longer available from author - 12/30/03)
- Wyoming #4 (6/24/03)
- Wyoming #5 (8/5/03)
- Mea Culpa, It's No Longer North Dakota! by Tim Condon (02/20/03)

State Comparison Reports

A Re-Examination of the State Comparison Matrix
What the Spreadsheets Tell Us by Paul Bonneau (5/5/03)
State Climates Report
Climates Report #2
State Climates Report #3
Choosing Which State to Liberate by George Cunningham
Analyzing the Freedom Orientation of the Existing State Populations
Homeschool Social Register (8/03)
Child Protective Services Report
Examining Population and Political Accessibility (7/03)
State Property Ownership Report
State Initiative and Referendum Report
The Jobs Question by Keith Carlsen (7/18/03)
Analysis of Presidential Elections by Keith Carlsen (6/17/03)
Links to State by State Malum Prohibitum & Privacy Protection Laws by Evan Nappen (7/15/03)
Best for Liberty? An Analysis of Three Leading States by Robert Hawes
State Legislatures Report by Joe Swyers

Old/obsolete reports

An Analysis of the State Comparison Matrix by Jason Sorens (Seriously outdated)
Our Most Important Decision by Tim Condon (NOTE: old/outdated 06/22/03)
Nevada report (07/31/02)

State Report AK 1: Alaska Report

Alaska Report

by Joseph Littlejohn

Author's Disclaimer: I am personally biased on the issue of FSP state selection. I currently own property in Alaska, and love the state for a variety of reasons. This paper is written, for the most part, from an advocacy point of view, although a few counter-arguments are grudgingly offered.

Many would agree that the major criteria affecting state selection are ?livability? and the potential for affecting the local political process. This paper will concentrate on what I believe are the major attributes that make Alaska a good choice for the Free State.

In brief these criteria are:

1) general environmental livability, including climate and weather

2)? infrastructure, industry, employment

3) the existing political/cultural environment, including indigenous parties sympathetic to FSP goals, voter trends and current law

4) overall geopolitical factors and potential future relations with the Federal government

________________________________________
Livability - climate and weather
_________________________________________

Winter temperatures in Alaska are often assumed to be extreme, and in certain areas they can be. However, during winter, it can actually be warmer in the Anchorage area and the surrounding Matanuska-Susitna borough than in certain parts of the lower 48. This is due to the warming effect of the ocean which provides a moderating influence on the local climate. ________________________________________________________________________

The normal daily mean temperature in January, for selected cities, in degrees Fahrenheit

International Falls, MN ??????????? 2.7 F
Mt. Washington, NH ??????????????? 5.2 F
Grand Forks, ND ???????????????????? 5.3 F
Nome, AK ????????????????? 5.8 F
Duluth, MN ???????????????????????????? 8.4 F
Caribou, ME ??????????????????????????? 9.5 F
Glasgow, MT ?????????????????????????? 10.8 F
Sioux Falls, SD ??????????????????????? 14.0 F
Alamosa, CO ?????????????????????????? 14.7 F
Green Bay, WI ????????????????????????? 15.6 F
Anchorage, AK ?????????? 15.8 F
Burlington, VT ???????????? 18.0 F
Concord, NH ?????????????????????????? 20.1 F
Portland, ME ??????????????????????????? 21.7 F
Chicago, IL ????????????????????????????? 22.0 F
Casper, WY ????????????????????????????? 22.3 F
Pocatello, ID ?????????????????????????? 24.4 F
Elko, NV ????????????????????????????????? 25.6 F
Juneau, AK ???????????????? 25.7 F
Kodiak, AK ??????????????? 29.7 F
Wilmington, DE ?????????????????????? 31.5 F
___________________________

As can be seen in the following list, on average, Anchorage receives less snow than many areas in the lower 48 states.
____________________________________________________________________

Average Snowfall in January for selected cities, in inches;

Alamosa, CO ?????????????? 4.3 in
Glasgow, MT ?????????????? 6.7 in
Wilmington, DE ?????????? 6.8 in
Sioux Falls, SD ??????????? 7.0 in
Pocatello, ID ?????????????? 9.7 in
Casper, WY ????????????????? 10.0 in
Elko, NV ????????????????????? 10.1 in
Anchorage, AK ?? 10.5 in
Nome, AK ????????? 10.6 in
Chicago, IL ????????????????? 11.1 in
Green Bay, WI ????????????? 11.9 in
International Falls, MN 12.9 in
Kodiak, AK ??????? 15.3 in
Duluth, MN ???????????????? 17.8 in
Concord, NH ?????????????? 17.9 in
Burlington, VT 19.3 in
Portland, ME ??????????????? 19.4 in
Caribou, ME ??????????????? 24.4 in
Juneau, AK ???????? 25.7 in
Mt. Washington, NH ??? 40.8 in
---------------------------

The summers are fairly moderate, with Anchorage having a mean temperature of 58.8 F in July. This is comparable to the San Francisco area, which is moderated by ocean winds during the summer, and has a mean temperature of 61.3 F in July. Likewise, Eureka CA, also on the coast, attains a mean of 58.1 F.

The shorter length of days in the far north during winter will certainly be a concern for some people, especially those that suffer to some extent from Seasonal Affective Disorder. However, only areas above the arctic circle (125 miles above Fairbanks) will ever experience 24 hours of darkness or light. In Anchorage, at winter solstice, daylight lasts about 5 1/2 hours. However, at summer solstice, the day is about 19 1/2 hours long. (recall that during the equinox, the length of day and night are equal, and the same at all locations on the earth ).

____________________________________________________________________________________
Sunshine - average percentage possible for local area, January
(accounts for cloud cover and precipitation)

Seattle, WA ????????????????? 28%
Grand Rapids, MI ???????? 28%
Juneau, AK ???????? 32%
Mt. Washington, NH ??? 32%
Anchorage, AK ?? 34%
Nome, AK ????????? 40%
Boise, ID ???????????????????? 40%
Burlington, VT 41%
Duluth, MN ???????????????? 48%
Green Bay, WI ????????????? 49%
Fargo, ND ?????????????????? 50%
Concord, NH ?????????????? 52%
Portland, ME ??????????????? 56%
Sheridan, WY ?????????????? 57%
------------------------

A side note about growing seasons;
Strange as it may sound, Alaska has a farming and agriculture industry. Output includes various vegetable crops, grain and livestock. The greatly increased hours of daylight during summer tend to offset the effect of shorter seasons. Chief crops farmed are barley, oats, hay, potatoes, lettuce. Livestock raised are cattle, sheep, reindeer, bison, and poultry.

(It's reported that the intense growing season produced a particularly fast growing, potent variety of marijuana which contributed to its later re-criminalization - this "cash crop" has been "discovered" growing as far north as Fairbanks.)
________________________________________________________________________
Average growing season for selected cities and regions, in days

Portland, ME ??????????????? 173 d
Juneau, AK ???????? 172 d
Kodiak, AK ??????? 160 d
southern, NH ????????????? 150 d
Bismarck, ND ????????????? 140 d
Anchorage, AK ?? 125 d
Valdez, AK ???????? 116 d
northern, VT ?????????????? 100 d
------------------------

__________________________________________________________________
LIVABILITY - infrastructure, industry, employment
__________________________________________________________________

Salaries and wages:

Interestingly, Alaska ranked number 1 in 1990 at an average wage of $29,946 per year, but dropped to 11 in 1999, although the actual wage increased to $34,000.
In 2000, the per capita income in Anchorage was $27, 852.

__________________________________________________________________________________
Average annual pay for selected states - year 1999

state ?????????????????????????? dollars ??????????? ranking
Delaware ???????????????????? 35,102 ??????????? 8
Alaska ????????????????????? 34,034 ????? 11
New Hampshire ????????? 32,139 ??????????? 17
Nevada ??????????????????????? 31,213 ??????????? 19
Vermont ????????????????????? 27,595 ??????????? 34
Wyoming ???????????????????? 25,639 ??????????? 44
Idaho ????????????????????????? 26,042 ??????????? 41
Montana ????????????????????? 23,253 ??????????? 49
------------------------------------

General Anchorage Area Demographics

Income and Poverty:
Median Household Income:?????????????? $ 55,546
Per Capita Income: ????????????????????????????? $ 25,287
Population in Poverty: ?????????????????????? 18,682
Percent in Poverty: ???????????????????????????? 7.4%

Employment:
Workforce ( Age 16 and over): ???????? 192,782
Civilian Employed: ????????????????????????????? 125,737
Military Employed:????????????????????????????? 8,503
Unemployed: ?????????????????????????????????????? 9,110
Not in Labor Force: ???????????????????????????? 49,432
Percent Unemployed: ???????????????????????? 6.8%
Percent Adults Not Working: ?????????? 30.4%

Civilian Employment:
Private Wage & Salary Workers: 89,023
Government Workers
(Military not included):?????????????????????? 27,646
Self-Employed workers
(in own not incorp business): ?????????? 8,819
Unpaid Family workers: ???? 249

Employment by Occupation:
Management, Professional & Related: 46,271
Service: ???????????????????????????????? 18,970
Sales & Office: ???????????????????????????????????? 35,834
Farming, Fishing & Forestry: ??????????? 432
Construction, Extraction

& Maintenance: ????????????????? 12,136

Product., Transport.

& Material Moving: ??????????????????????????? 12,094

Employment by Industry:

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing

& Hunting, Mining: ??????????????????????????? 3,886

Construction: ?????????????????????????????????????? 7,995
Manufacturing: ?????????????????????????????????? 2,542
Wholesale Trade: ??????????????????????????????? 4,428
Retail Trade: ???????????????????????????????????????? 15,327
Transport., Warehouse & Util.: ??????? 11,809
Information: ???????????????????????????????????????? 4,079
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate,
Rental & Leasing: ?????????????????????????????? 7,654
Professional, Scientific,

Management,
Administrative & Waste Mgmt: 12,845
Education, Health &

Social Services: ?????????????????????????????????? 24,532
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation,
Accommodation & Food Services: 11,342
Other Services

(Except Public Admin):??????????????????????? 7,156
Public Administration: ?????????????????????? 12,142
-------------------------------------------------------

The following is a listing of salaries for the Anchorage area, where approximately 41% of the state population lives. This is probably a more useful set of numbers for people wanting to move into the state from the lower 48, since it represents a wide range of jobs and industries probably similar to work available out of state. I've edited a much more exhaustive list of job categories down to the most common and recognizable types. Even so it's lengthy. I hope the reader may find a listing similar to their present job in order to make the comparison more meaningful.

For the complete list see;
http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/wage/anchoes.htm.

_______________________________________________________________________
Average wages, per hour, for selected professions - Anchorage area - year 2000

??????????????????????????????????????????????? Mean ??????? Median ????? Mid Range Entry ??????? Experienced

Managers
Computer & Information Sys Managers 33.74 ?????? 32.35 ????????????????????? 25.06 - 40.18 ???????? 21.69 ????? 39.76
Construction Managers ???????????????????????? 38.83 ????? 37.39 ????????????????????? 29.83 - 46.58 ???????? 25.83 ????? 45.33
Education Admin, Postsecondary ?????????? 16.74 ????? 15.37 ????????????????????? 12.63 - 19.07 ???????? 12.03 ????? 19.10
Financial Managers ??????????????????????????????????????????????? 34.57 ????? 30.53 ????????????????????? 23.26 - 41.81 ???????? 20.49 ????? 41.61
Industrial Production Managers ??????????? 33.01 ????? 26.97 ????????????????????? 21.67 - 41.30 ???????? 19.65 ????? 39.69
Medical & Health Services Managers ???? 31.80 ????? 30.61 ????????????????????? 24.84 - 35.58 ???????? 21.59 ????? 36.91
Transport, Storage & Dist Managers ???? 26.96 ????? 25.29 ????????????????????? 20.12 - 33.04 ???????? 18.79 ????? 31.05

Business and Financial Operations
Accountants & Auditors ???????????????????????? 23.56 ????? 22.73 ????????????????????? 18.06 - 26.36 ???????? 15.85 ????? 27.41
Credit Analysts ????????????????????????????????????? 26.03 ????? 19.42 ????????????????????? 12.28 - 46.33 ???????? 10.56 ????? 33.76
Financial Analysts ????????????????????????????????? 26.59 ????? 26.18 ????????????????????? 23.10 - 30.26 ???????? 21.65 ????? 29.05
Insurance Underwriters ???????????????????????? 22.34 ????? 20.93 ????????????????????? 18.34 - 28.18 ???????? 16.57 ????? 25.22
Loan Officers ???????????????????????????????????????? 23.80 ????? 18.11 ????????????????????? 13.18 - 32.87 ???????? 11.11 ????? 30.14
Tax Examiners ??????????????????????????????????????? 27.94 ????? 28.54 ????????????????????? 20.81 - 34.11 ???????? 19.28 ????? 32.27
Training & Development Specialists ?????? 20.67 ????? 20.04 ????????????????????? 17.20 - 24.98 ???????? 14.68 ????? 23.66

Computer
Computer Programmers ???????????????????????? 27.00 ????? 26.21 ????????????????????? 22.32 - 31.92 ???????? 20.03 ????? 30.49
Software Engineers, Applications ????????? 28.78 ????? 28.50 ????????????????????? 23.61 - 33.58 ???????? 22.17 ????? 32.09
Software Engineers, Systems ????????????????? 31.10 ????? 32.51 ????????????????????? 22.74 - 40.16 ???????? 20.89 ????? 36.21
Database Administrators ?????????????????????? 26.79 ????? 26.24 ????????????????????? 18.86 - 34.19 ???????? 16.45 ????? 31.96
Network & Computer Systems Admin ???? 23.43 ????? 23.11 ????????????????????? 18.86 - 28.12 ???????? 16.99 ????? 26.65
Network Systems Analysts ???????????????????? 25.67 ????? 26.39 ????????????????????? 18.20 - 31.86 ???????? 16.70 ????? 30.16
Statisticians ?????????????????????????????????????????? 29.60 ????? 28.47 ????????????????????? 24.85 - 32.67 ???????? 23.38 ????? 32.71

Architectual
Architects, Except Landscape & Naval ?? 30.93 ????? 30.96 ????????????????????? 25.50 - 36.81 ???????? 22.98 ????? 34.91
Civil Engineers ?????????????????????????????????????? 31.46 ????? 30.58?????????????????????? 22.95 - 38.28 ??????? 20.92 ????? 36.73
Drafters, Engineer & Mapping Tech ?????? 20.46 ????? 19.52 ????????????????????? 15.53 - 24.32 ???????? 13.63 ????? 23.88
Electrical Engineers ??????????????????????????????? 32.52 ????? 33.27 ????????????????????? 27.04 - 39.45 ???????? 23.68
Mechanical Engineers ???????????????????????????? 31.51 ????? 31.79 ????????????????????? 25.00 - 38.95 ???????? 22.64 ????? 35.94
Petroleum Engineers ?????????????????????????????? 51.23 ????? 54.07 ????????????????????? 42.32 - 62.55 ???????? 36.98 ????? 58.36
Surveying & Mapping Technicians ???????? 22.33 ????? 23.18 ????????????????????? 17.98 - 28.42 ???????? 14.34 ????? 26.33

Life, Physical, and Social Science
Agricultural & Food Scientists ?????????????? 28.12 ????? 29.11 ????????????????????? 22.17 - 33.96 ???????? 19.45 ????? 32.46
Biological Technicians ??????????????????????????? 14.06 ????? 13.65 ????????????????????? 11.83 - 15.93 ???????? 11.16 ????? 15.52
Chemical Technicians ???????????????????????????? 16.18 ????? 14.52 ????????????????????? 10.47 - 21.90 ???????? 9.89 ??????? 19.33
Economists ???????????????????????????????????????????? 31.51 ????? 31.88 ????????????????????? 19.66 - 41.73 ???????? 17.83 ????? 38.35
Foresters ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 28.72 ????? 28.42 ????????????????????? 23.38 - 35.25 ???????? 21.29 ????? 32.43
Geological & Petroleum Technicians ????? 20.72 ????? 20.60 ????????????????????? 17.12 - 24.41 ???????? 14.76 ????? 23.70
Market Research Analysts ???????????????????? 21.92 ????? 21.44 ????????????????????? 18.25 - 25.10 ???????? 16.47 ????? 24.65

Community and Social Services Legal
Clergy ??????????????????????????????????????????????????? 15.08 ????? 15.07 ????????????????????? 7.04 - 21.20 ?????????? 6.70 ??????? 19.28
Counselors, Social & Religious ?????????????? 13.70 ????? 12.83 ????????????????????? 10.87 - 15.47 ???????? 10.17 ????? 15.47
Mental Health Counselors ????????????????????? 17.83 ????? 17.07 ????????????????????? 15.26 - 20.22 ???????? 15.11 ????? 19.19
Arbitrators, Mediators ????????????????????????? 20.69 ????? 22.26 ????????????????????? 16.33 - 25.24 ???????? 14.35 ????? 23.87
Lawyers ????????????????????????????????????????????????? 43.03 ????? 41.56 ????????????????????? 29.38 - 58.76 ???????? 24.73 ????? 52.18
Paralegals & Legal Assistants ??????????????????????????????? 24.16 ????? 24.47 ????????????????????? 21.27 - 28.00 ???????? 19.08 ????? 26.70
Title Examiners, Abst & Searchers ???????? 18.22 ????? 18.69 ????????????????????? 14.89 - 21.04 ???????? 13.75 ????? 20.45

Education, Training, and Library
Education, Training & Lib Workers, ?????? 19.09 ????? 18.25 ????????????????????? 12.80 - 25.17 ???????? 12.50 ????? 22.39
Librarians ????????????????????????????????????????????? 21.81 ????? 23.20 ????????????????????? 17.72 - 27.74 ???????? 12.67 ????? 26.37
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other ?????? 49,020 ??? 49,310 ??????????????????? 40,690 - 55,980 ???? 35,160 ??? 55,950
Preschool Teachers, Except Spec Ed ?????? 10.16 ????? 10.10 ????????????????????? 9.10 - 11.25 ?????????? 8.54 ??????? 10.97
Teacher Assistants ???????????????????????????????? 25,600 ??? 26,330 ??????????????????? 18,330 - 30,940 ???? 17,360 ??? 29,710
Teachers, Primary, Sec & Adult ????????????? 39,560 ??? 41,050 ??????????????????? 20,870 - 53,980 ???? 18,060 ??? 50,310
Vocational Education Teachers, ???????????? 22.32?????? 24.17 ???????????????????? 18.06 - 27.12 ???????? 14.02 ????? 26.47

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Audio & Video Equipment Technicians ?? 11.93 ????? 11.71 ????????????????????? 10.25 - 13.05 ???????? 9.63 ??????? 13.08
Film & Video Editors ?????????????????????????????? 15.56 ????? 13.60 ????????????????????? 12.19 - 16.22 ???????? 12.10 ????? 17.29
Graphic Designers ????????????????????????????????? 17.97 ????? 16.96 ????????????????????? 12.53 - 22.55 ???????? 11.50 ????? 21.20
Photographers ?????????????????????????????????????? 12.92 ????? 12.76 ????????????????????? 11.10 - 15.28 ???????? 9.75 ??????? 14.50
Producers & Directors ?????????????????????????? 36,190 ??? 33,860 ??????????????????? 30,220 - 40,840 ???? 28,270 ??? 40,160
Public Relations Specialists ??????????????????? 24.44 ????? 21.69 ????????????????????? 16.95 - 27.66 ???????? 15.01 ????? 29.16
Technical Writers ?????????????????????????????????? 25.00 ????? 25.08 ????????????????????? 22.63 - 27.97 ???????? 21.69
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Dental Hygienists ?????????????????????????????????? 38.17 ????? 39.15 ????????????????????? 36.79 - 41.52 ???????? 37.64 ????? 38.44
Licensed Pract & Lic Voc Nurse ????????????? 16.30 ????? 15.93 ????????????????????? 14.53 - 17.59 ???????? 14.33 ????? 17.29
Medical & Clinical Laboratory Techn ???? 16.17 ????? 16.05 ????????????????????? 14.01 - 18.62 ???????? 13.46 ????? 17.53
Optometrists ????????????????????????????????????????? 46.99 ????? 48.92 ????????????????????? 44.83 - 52.70 ???????? 42.25 ????? 49.37
Pharmacists ?????????????????????????????????????????? 34.15 ????? 34.38 ????????????????????? 31.12 - 38.55 ???????? 30.40 ????? 36.03
Physicians & Surgeons, All Other ????????? 68.34 ????? >70.00 ?????????????????? >70.00 - >70.00 ??? 65.03 ????? 70.00
Veterinarians ???????????????????????????????????????? 30.82 ????? 28.34 ????????????????????? 18.66 - 37.30 ???????? 16.69 ????? 37.89

Protective Service
Protective Service Workers, Other ??????? 22.45 ????? 12.11?????????????????????? 9.80 - 44.63 ?????????? 9.40 ??????? 28.98

Food Preparation and Serving Related
Bartenders ???????????????????????????????????????????? 9.18 ??????? 9.24 ??????????????????????? 7.98 - 10.33 ?????????? 7.48 ??????? 10.03
Chefs & Head Cooks ?????????????? ??????????????? 14.95 ????? 13.38 ????????????????????? 11.60 - 16.83 ???????? 10.31 ????? 17.27
Cooks, Fast Food ??????????????????????????????????? 9.90 ??????? 9.82 ??????????????????????? 8.39 - 11.47 7.??????? 83??????????? 10.94
Counter Attend, Cafeteria/Food ??????????? 8.95 ??????? 8.14 ??????????????????????? 6.49 - 10.43 ?????????? 6.20 ??????? 10.33
Dishwashers??????????????????????????????????????????? 8.97 ?????? 8.89 ??????????????????????? 7.62 - 10.32 ?????????? 7.20 ??????? 9.86
Food Preparation & Serv Wkrs, ???????????? 17.67 ????? 21.84 ????????????????????? 9.17 - 24.51 ?????????? 8.00 ??????? 22.50
Waiters & Waitresses ???????????????????????????? 7.53 ??????? 6.58 ??????????????????????? 6.17 - 7.72????????????? 6.26 ?????? 8.16

Building and Grounds, Cleaning, and Maintenance
Janitors/Cleaners, Ex Maids ????????????????? 11.06 ????? 10.19 ????????????????????? 8.62 - 13.34 ?????????? 8.01 ??????? 12.58
Landscaping Workers ??????????????????????????? 11.54 ????? 10.51 ????????????????????? 8.55 - 13.23 ?????????? 7.88 ??????? 13.37
Maids & Housekeeping Cleaners ??????????? 10.05 ????? 9.83 ??????????????????????? 8.77 - 11.01 ?????????? 7.96 ??????? 11.09

Personal Care and Service
Amusement & Recreation Attendants ???? 11.32 ????? 9.92 ??????????????????????? 8.38 - 12.83 ?????????? 7.78 ??????? 13.08
Baggage Porters & Bellhops ?????????????????? 10.16?????? 7.46 ?????????????????????? 6.42 - 10.96??????????? 6.33 ?????? 12.07
Flight Attendants ?????????????????????????????????? 32,970 ??? 30,640 ??????????????????? 21,930 - 37,790 ???? 19,170 ??? 39,880
Hairdressers, Hairstylists & Cosmet ????? 14.39 ????? 15.01 ????????????????????? 10.36 - 17.13 ???????? 8.93 ??????? 17.12
Recreation Workers ?????????????????????????????? 9.09 ??????? 8.48 ??????????????????????? 7.25 - 10.32 ?????????? 7.00 ??????? 10.13
Tour Guides & Escorts ??????????????????????????? 8.85 ??????? 8.61 ??????????????????????? 6.52 - 10.57 ?????????? 6.41 ??????? 10.07
Ushers, Lobby Attend & Ticket Takers ?? 6.92 ??????? 6.44 ??????????????????????? 6.11 - 6.79????????????? 6.28 ?????? 7.23

Sales and Related
Advertising Sales Agents ?????????????????????? 21.44 ????? 16.94 ????????????????????? 14.16 - 26.80 ???????? 12.10 ????? 26.11
Cashiers????????????????????????????????????????????????? 8.53 ?????? 8.14 ??????????????????????? 7.16 - 9.61 ???????????? 6.99 ??????? 9.31
Insurance Sales Agents ????????????????????????? 18.02 ????? 17.98 ????????????????????? 13.08 - 20.07 ???????? 12.34 ????? 20.86
Real Estate Sales Agents ???????????????????????? 23.35 ????? 23.35 ????????????????????? 18.79 - 30.31 ???????? 13.68 ????? 28.18
Retail Salespersons ??????????????????????????????? 12.18 ????? 10.60 ????????????????????? 8.34 - 13.38 ?????????? 7.72 ??????? 14.40
Telemarketers ??????????????????????????????????????? 8.52 ??????? 8.28???????????????????????? 6.95 - 9.66 ???????????? 6.69 ??????? 9.43
Travel Agents ???????????????????????????????????????? 11.77 ????? 11.34 ????????????????????? 9.73 - 13.36 ?????????? 9.19 ??????? 13.06

Office and Administrative Support
Bookkeeping, Account & Audit Clerks ?? 14.84 ????? 14.43 ????????????????????? 12.18 - 16.79 ???????? 11.21 ????? 16.66
Cargo & Freight Agents ???????????????????????? 11.18 ????? 10.41 ????????????????????? 9.11 - 12.71 ?????????? 8.61 ??????? 12.47
Couriers & Messengers ????????????????????????? 11.26 ????? 10.23 ????????????????????? 9.25 - 11.31 ?????????? 9.00 ??????? 12.39
Data Entry Keyers ????????????????????????????????? 10.83 ????? 10.12 ????????????????????? 8.89 - 12.06 ?????????? 8.31 ??????? 12.09
File Clerks ????????????????????????????????????????????? 11.56 ????? 11.47 ????????????????????? 9.19 - 13.70 ?????????? 8.26 ??????? 13.22
Hotel, Motel & Resort Desk Clerks ???????? 8.14 ??????? 7.81 ??????????????????????? 6.77 - 9.47 ???????????? 6.55 ??????? 8.94
Insurance Claims & Process Clerks ??????? 17.85 ????? 15.76 ????????????????????? 14.16 - 18.77 ???????? 13.55 ????? 20.00

Legal Secretaries ??????????????????????????????????? 19.01 ????? 19.28 ????????????????????? 15.92 - 22.11 ???????? 14.15 ????? 21.44
Medical Secretaries ??????????????????????????????????????????????? 13.27 ????? 13.20 ????????????????????? 11.86 - 14.99 ???????? 11.66 ????? 14.07
Office Clerks, General ??????????????????????????? 12.94 ????? 12.42 ????????????????????? 10.50 - 15.04 ???????? 9.36 ??????? 14.73
Secretaries, Except Legal, Med & Ex ?????? 14.60 ????? 13.82 ????????????????????? 11.65 - 17.51 ???????? 10.38 ????? 16.71
Stock Clerks & Order Fillers ????????????????? 12.58 ????? 11.55 ????????????????????? 9.18 - 15.43 ?????????? 8.57 ??????? 14.58
Tellers ??????????????????????????????????????????????????? 10.26 ????? 10.08 ????????????????????? 9.24 - 11.20 ?????????? 9.30 ??????? 10.74
Word Processors & Typists ??????????????????? 13.66 ????? 13.48 ????????????????????? 11.76 - 15.73 ???????? 11.14 ????? 14.92

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Farming, Fishing & Forestry Workers ??? 15.30 ????? 15.28 ????????????????????? 14.14 - 16.41 ???????? 13.36 ????? 16.27

Construction and Extraction
Brickmasons & Blockmasons ????????????????? 20.39 ????? 19.42 ????????????????????? 14.02 - 26.08 ???????? 11.87 ????? 24.65
Carpenters ???????????????????????????????????????????? 21.08 ????? 22.75 ????????????????????? 16.13 - 25.74 ???????? 13.92 ????? 24.67
Construction Laborers ?????????????????????????? 18.89 ????? 18.66 ????????????????????? 13.57 - 23.70 ???????? 11.76 ????? 22.45
Electricians ???????????????????????????????????????????? 28.07 ????? 29.68 ????????????????????? 24.10 - 33.21 ???????? 20.43 ????? 31.89
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters ????? 26.32 ????? 26.97 ????????????????????? 22.27 - 31.99 ???????? 18.70 ????? 0.13
Roofers ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? 21.64 ????? 22.34 ????????????????????? 17.45 - 27.23 ???????? 14.42 ????? 25.25
Structural Iron & Steel Workers ???????????? 19.33 ????? 20.46 ????????????????????? 14.36 - 24.64 ???????? 11.53 ????? 23.23

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Aircraft Mechanics & Serv Tech ???????????? 19.66 ????? 19.53 ????????????????????? 15.83 - 23.90 ???????? 14.32 ????? 22.33
Automotive Body & Related Repairers ?? 21.80 ????? 19.97 ????????????????????? 15.84 - 25.48 ???????? 13.50 ????? 25.95
Automotive Service Tech & Mech ?????????? 17.75 ????? 17.80 ????????????????????? 13.43 - 23.57 ???????? 10.58 ????? 21.34
Computer/Auto Teller/Office Mach Rep 19.60 ????? 19.77 ????????????????????? 14.70 - 24.79 ???????? 13.33 ????? 22.73
Heating/AC/Refrig Mech & Installers ??? 20.99 ????? 22.81 ????????????????????? 18.43 - 25.51 ???????? 14.34 ????? 24.32
Maintenance & Repair Workers, Gen ???? 18.00 ????? 17.52 ????????????????????? 12.35 - 22.72 ???????? 10.71 ????? 21.64
Telecomm Equip Install/Repair, ????????????? 28.76 ????? 29.93 ????????????????????? 25.74 - 33.00 ???????? 22.52 ????? 31.88

Production
Bakers ??????????????????????????????????????????????????? 10.63 ????? 10.40 ????????????????????? 8.67 - 12.47 ?????????? 7.96 ??????? 11.97
Cabinetmakers & Bench Carpenters ????? 14.89 ????? 14.07 ????????????????????? 11.62 - 18.47 ???????? 10.90 ????? 16.89
Helpers: Production Workers ???????????????? 17.82 ????? 16.49 ????????????????????? 12.15 - 24.22 ???????? 10.83 ????? 21.32
Machinists ????????????????????????????????????????????? 23.08 ????? 23.73 ????????????????????? 19.59 - 26.82 ???????? 17.31 ????? 25.97
Plant & System Operators, All Other ???? 20.04 ????? 22.33 ????????????????????? 16.61 - 25.10 ???????? 12.81 ????? 23.66
Production Workers, All Other ????????????? 10.66 ????? 9.49 ??????????????????????? 7.60 - 11.08??????????? 6.97 ?????? 12.51
Welders, Cutters, Solder & Brazers ?????? 21.19 ????? 20.13 ????????????????????? 16.07 - 26.18 ???????? 14.06 ????? 24.76

Transportation and Material Moving
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors ??? 15.19 ????? 13.92 ????????????????????? 11.24 - 18.13 ???????? 10.58 ????? 17.49
Excavating & Loading Machine Opers ?? 12.97 ????? 12.75?????????????????????? 10.37 - 15.36 ??????? 9.47 ??????? 14.72
Laborers & Freight Movers ??????????????????? 13.51 ????? 11.64?????????????????????? 9.34 - 14.63 ????????? 8.44 ??????? 16.05
Packers & Packagers, Hand ?????????????????? 8.31 ??????? 6.84 ??????????????????????? 6.33 - 9.15 ???????????? 6.35 ??????? 9.29
Service Station Attendants ???????????????????? 10.75 ????? 8.93 ??????????????????????? 7.36 - 14.71 ?????????? 6.96 ??????? 12.64
Taxi Drivers & Chauffeurs ???????????????????? 9.99 ??????? 9.06 ??????????????????????? 7.58 - 11.87 ?????????? 7.26 ??????? 11.36
Truck Drivers, Tractor-Trailer ???????????? 18.78 ????? 17.54 ????????????????????? 14.66 - 24.03 ???????? 12.90 ????? 21.73
------------

Mean: is the estimated total wages for an occupation divided by its weighted survey employment. It is sometimes referred to as the "weighted average."

Median: Another "average" representing the value of the "middle" observation when the numbers are arranged from the smallest to largest. At that point, half of the employees in the occupation earn more and half earn less.

Middle Range: The middle 50% of wages. One-quarter of the workers in an occupation earn less than the low end of the range and one-quarter earn more than the high end of the range.

Mean Entry Wage: The mean wage of the first one-third or 33rd percentile of employees in the occupation (two-thirds earn more).

Mean Experienced Wage: The mean wage for the upper two-thirds or 67 percentile of employees in the occupation (one-third earn less).
-------------------

______________________________________________________________________________
Year 2000 data for top 100 employers in AK- this group represents 29% of all private sector wage and salary employees in Alaska--- 21% are non-profits;

company ?????????????????????????????? no. of employees
Safeway/Carrs ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? 3270
Providence Alaska medical center ?? 3098
Fred Meyer ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 2146
Walmart/Sam's Club ?????????????????????????????????????????? 1911
Alaska Airlines ??????????????????????????????????????????????????? 1694
VECO Operations ??????????????????????????????????????????????? 1392
Alaska Petroleum Contractors ????????????????????????? 1314
Banner health system ???????????????????????????????????????? 1138
National bank of Alaska/Wells Fargo ???????????? 1118
Federal Express ?????????????????????????????????? 1113
NANA Marriot ??????????????????????????????????????????????????? 1093
BP Exploration ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? 1018
Alyeska pipeline service co. ???????????????????????????? 898
Alaska Communications Systems ??? 821
Alaska Regional Hospital ????????????????? 814
Phillips 66 ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 805
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union ?? 800
GCI Communications ????????????????????????????????????????? 771
Laidlaw Transit ??????????????????????????????????? 745
First national bank of Anchorage ??? 745
Kmart ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 730
Sears Roebuck ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? 712
UniSea ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 687
Peak Oilfield Service Co. ??????????????????? 681

Southcentral Foundation ?????????????????? 675
Alaska Commercial Co. ????????????????????????????????????? 663
ERA Aviation ????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????? 658
Spenard Builders Supply ?????????????????? 658
Icicle seafoods ??????????????????????????????????????????????????? 631
Costco ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 612

Tanana Chiefs Conference ??????????????????????????????? 594
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. ????? 593
North Pacific Processors ?????????????????? 582
Southeast AK Regional health Corp. ????????????? 578
Peter Pan Seafoods ???????????????????????????????????????????? 566
Anchorage Daily News?????????????????????????????????????? 520
Aramark Leisure Services ????????????????? 520
Doyon/Universal Ogden ?????????????????? 519
Nabors Alaska Drilling Co. ??????????????????????????????? 514
Williams Express ???????????????????????????????? 507
Westmark Hotels ??????????????????????????????????????????????? 506
Alyeska resort ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? 481
Valley hospital ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? 481
Unocal ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 477
Houston/NANA ???????????????????????????????? 468
Pizza Hut ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 467
Burger King ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 465
Norquest Seafoods ???????????????????????????????????????????? 464
Cominco Alaska ????????????????????????????????? 459
Hope Community Services ??????????????????????????????? 448
Maniilaq Association ???????????????????????????????????????? 446
AT&T Alascom Inc. ?????????????????????????????????????????? 426
Norton Sound health Corp. ?????????????????????????????? 412
UPS ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 398
Alaska Hotel properties ???????????????????? 398
Wards Cove packing Co. ?????????????????? 389
PenAir ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 387
The Alaska Club ???????????????????????????????? 386
Northwest airlines ?????????????????????????????????????????????? 382
AK Native Tribal health Consortium ?????????????? 381
Denali foods (Taco Bell) ??????????????????? 381
Chugach Elec. Assoc. ??????????????????????????????????????? 379
Cook inlet processing ??????????????????????????????????????? 378
Facility management of Alaska ???????????????????????? 374
Salvation Army - Alaska ??????????????????? 371
Tesoro Northstore Co. ?????????????????????????????????????? 367
Hilton Anchorage ?????????????????????????????????????????????? 360
Chugach North Techical Services ??? 354
Ketchikan General Hospital ?????????????????????????????? 348
Westward Seafood ???????????????????????????????????????????? 348
Hotel Captain Cook ??????????????????????????????????????????? 342
Assets, Inc. ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 341
Ocean Beauty Seafooods ????????????????? 338
Bristol Bay Area health Corp. ?????????????????????????? 335
Royal Highway Tours ??????????????????????????????????????? 327
Sea-land Freight Service ??????????????????? 314
J C Penny Co. ????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 313
Silver Bay Lodging ???????????????????????????????????????????? 311
Anchorage Cold Storage ?????????????????? 305
Rural Alaska Community Action prog. ?????????? 299
Matanuska Telephone Association ??????????????? 296
Fairbanks Gold Mining Company ??? 291
Schlumberger Technologies ???????????????????????????? 289
Carlile Enterprises ?????????????????????????????????????????????? 285
Alaska Pacific University ????????????????? 281
Dynair Services ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? 279
Sky Chefs ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 277
Fairbanks Native Association ????????????????????????? 273
ARC of Anchorage ???????????????????????????????????????????? 272
ABM Company of the West ???????????????????????????? 272
Northern Air Cargo ???????????????????????????????????????????? 267
Greens Creek Mining Company ??????????????????????? 264
Halliburton Energy Services ???????????????????????????? 263
McDonalds ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 258
Nordstrom ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 256
CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation ??? 255
United Airlines ??????????????????????????????????????????????????? 251
Udelhoven Oilfield Systems ????????????????????????????? 250
------------------------------------------------------------

Public Sector Employment
However, the following figures could be somewhat discouraging for those with desire for "small government"... If you count the public sector, several of the various branches of government fall within the Top 10 largest employers in Alaska. Significantly, the military and federal government are number one and two on the list! Most are centered in Anchorage, although the State government is located in Juneau and the University of Alaska is in Fairbanks.
___________________________________________________________________________________
year 2000 Top Ten employers including public sector

rank ? employer?????????????????????????????????????????? employees
1 ?????? Uniformed Military ?????????????????????????? 17,614
2 ?????? Federal government ??????????????????????? 17,139
3 ?????? State of Alaska ???????????????????????????????? 16,066
4 ?????? University of Alaska ????????????????????????? 6,112
5 ?????? Anchorage School District ??????????????? 5,954
8 ?????? Municipality of Anchorage ?????????????? 2,868
10 ???? Fairbanks North Star Borough

????????? School district?????????????????????????????????? 1,918
--------------------------------------------------

Unemployment:
According to the latest figures, the Alaska unemployment rate is comparatively high, but it's worth noting that 6% of a population of 627,000 is about 38,000 people, a much smaller actual number than states with higher populations but slightly lower unemployment rates. For instance, a state like Nevada with a population of 1,998,000 and with a slightly lower unemployment rate of 4.4% yields 88,000 people.
_____________________________________________________
Unemployment rate, comparison of selected states - year 1999

state ?????????????????????????? percent ?????????? ranking
Alaska ????????????????????? 6.4 ?????????? 2
Montana ????????????????????? 5.2 ????????????????? 6
Idaho ????????????????????????? 5.2 ????????????????? 6
Wyoming ???????????????????? 4.9 ????????????????? 12
Nevada ??????????????????????? 4.4 ????????????????? 21
Delaware ???????????????????? 3.5 ????????????????? 32
Vermont ????????????????????? 3.0 ????????????????? 40
New Hampshire ????????? 2.7 ????????????????? 49
----------------------------------------

Cost of Living
No getting around the fact that some living expenses are higher in Alaska. This can probably be largely attributed partly to the shipping costs of merchandise imported from out of state and perhaps the climate. People living in Anchorage spent about 41% more than the national average.
(The average household was comprised of 1.5 wage earners, and 2.6 persons, reporting a pre-tax income of $54,506.)
_________________________________________________________________________
Anchorage area consumer spending -
Percent distribution of total average expenditures in Anchorage, 1999-2000

Food ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? 13.1%
Personal Insurance & pensions ?????????? 8.4%
Cash contributions ???????????????????????????? 3.5%
Entertainment ???????????????????????????????????? 6.4%
Healthcare ????????????????????????????????????????? 4.8%
Transportation ??????????????????????????????????? 18.5%
Apparel & % services ?????????????????????????? 4.7%
Housing ????????????????????????????????????????????? 33%
Other ????????????????????????????????????????????????? 7.6%

_________________________________________________________
Consumer Price Index - All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
U.S. City Average, All Items vs Anchorage, Alaska, All Items

year ???? U.S. average ??? Anchorage average
2001 177.1 ?????????????? 155.2

______________________________________________________
some examples - costs of selected goods, 2001;

??????????????????????? National average ??????? Anchorage

gallon of gasoline ?????? $1.52 ????????????????????????? $1.65

half gallon of milk ????? $1.68 ????????????????????????? $2.29

dozen large eggs ??????? $0.98 ????????????????????????? $1.53

quarter pounder ????????? $2.12 ????????????????????????? $2.87
with cheese

day rate semi-private $800. ????????????????????????? $493.
hospital room
_______________________________________________________

living expenses for a family of 4, selected western cities

National average $32,000 a year

Juneau? , AK????????????????? $38,076

Salt Lake City, UT???????? $35,262

Fairbanks, AK?????????????? $34,398

Anchorage?????????????????? $33,518

Boise, ID????????????????????? $32,142

Butte, MT???????????????????? $30,322

----------------------------------------

Housing:

Housing profile - Anchorage municipality - year 2000
Total household population 253,269 - with 100,368 housing units
52% were single units, 42 % multi-unit, and 6% mobile homes
(13% were built since 1990)
61% were owner occupied and 39% rental units

(oddly enough they keep figures on stuff like this, 0.7% lacked plumbing...I suppose that means you won't have to hunker down behind a bush on the tundra like you thought)

Median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $1,447
non-mortgaged owners $406
renters $720

23% of owners had mortgages, 4% without
43% of renters spent 30% of their income on housing

Year 2001, median price for homes in Anchorage , $143,000.

National Association of Home Builders said in the first quarter of 2001, Anchorage emerged as the "most affordable" housing market west of Oklahoma City -- bettering all 46 other cities in 10 western states.

I highly recommend a short article on cost of living in Anchorage by George Bryson of the Anchorage Daily news, published Nov. 4, 2001, "City's Pricey Reputation Proves a Myth - Few taxes, affordable housing and the PFD make Anchorage a good deal "
In this article he basically makes the case that Anchorage is actually one of the most affordable cities to live if you factor in the lack of a state tax and the yearly "Permanent Fund" payments.

http://www.alaskapcs.com/ANCHORAGE%20COST%20OF%20LIVING.htm

The Permanent Fund;

Probably few people outside Alaska may have ever heard of the "Permanent Fund."

This is an annual dividend paid to each citizen of Alaska that comes from royalties on state natural resources (mostly oil), and a State managed investment fund. The amount fluctuates on a yearly basis, but for the year 2001, the payment was $1,850. per person.

A bit of history;
After becoming a state in 1959, the state constitution declared that all the natural resources of Alaska belong to the state.

In 1969 the Prudhoe Bay oil lease sale generated $900 million from oil companies for the right to drill oil on 164 tracts of state-owned land. (by comparison, the 1968 state budget was $112 million) The $900 million was spent on water and sewer systems, schools, airports, health and misc. social services.

In 1976 a constitutional amendment, specified that 25% of all mineral lease rentals, royalties, federal mineral revenue-sharing payments, etc. received would be placed in a "permanent fund," to be used for long term investment. The principal of the Fund is to be invested in perpetuity.

In 1980 the State Legislature decided to create a savings trust for the future. The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation manages the assets of the Fund. The Legislature also created the "Permanent Fund Dividend Program" to pass on a portion of the investment income of the Fund to Alaskan citizens directly as a dividend payment. To be eligible you must be at least a one-year resident. Supposedly, the dividend amounts to more money in the state economy than the wages paid by basic industry, seafood, construction, tourism, timber, mining and agriculture combined. The dividend provides more than 10 percent of the income of most Alaskans. The fund is currently worth $26 billion and is mandated by law to be invested in a way that minimizes risk and expressly forbids "social' or "political" investing (which is encouraging).

The Left praises the fund as the ideal way to distribute a "fair and equal share of the wealth" from publicly owned resources to the citizenry. This might normally make a free market/private property oriented libertarian somewhat nervous. However, in my opinion, short of selling off the property, this is probably the fairest way to distribute a "commonly held resource"...especially that not previously owned by anyone (remember we're talking mostly frozen tundra here). This still leaves the question of who is granted the authority to decide what's a good investment, and this issue has been and is still debated. On a positive note, the fact that part of the money is more or less directly distributed to each citizen, leaving the decision up to them what to do with their share, is a step in the right direction. This somewhat decreases concentration of control of the resource by an entrenched government elite. The danger of course, is the precedent it sets. This system keeps alive the belief that government ownership of anything is a normal and beneficial circumstance. Perhaps more disturbing, public school officials apparently think it's necessary to indoctrinate young school children about the fund, stressing the "fairness" of the system.

Taxes:

Alaska currently has no state income or sales taxes.

50% of local governments have a sales tax up to 6 percent on retail sales, however, there is no retail sales tax in Anchorage and Fairbanks.
_______________________________________________________________________
Various Non-income Tax Sources in Alaska, 1999 figures -

732.6 million total

Property, Oil, gas
charitable gaming, Alcohol, tobacco
Insurance premiums electric, telephone motor fuel corporate income corporation petroleum severence, oil, gas
salmon and seafood marketing salmon enhancement fisheries business fishery resource, landing, mining, estate
---------------------------------------------------

Economic Data
I've included this information to emphasize the existing industries, infrastructure and business in Alaska. I believe this is a good indicator of a state's economic self sufficiency, especially if secession ever becomes a serious option. One huge factor in any evaluation of Alaska is its massive size and wealth of natural resources. The following list illustrates the type of services, retail and support industries that have come into existence over the last 40 years.
_____________________________________________________
Gross State Product, 26.4 billion, figures for year 1999 -
breakdown by sector

Government ??????????????????????????????????????? 19%
Oil, gas ?????????????????????????????????????????????? 18%
Transport, communications, utilities 17%
Services ????????????????????? ??????????????????????? 13%
Other goods ??????????????????????????????????????? 13%
Financial, insurance, real estate ????????? 10%
Trade ????????????????????????????????????????????????? 10%

______________________________________________________________________________
Alaska's world wide exports, $ 2.4 billion total, year 2000
Top exports in 2001 in millions of dollars

Seafood ?????????? $1,198 m
Minerals ????????? $329 m
Oil ?????????????????? $297 m
Fertilizer ???????? $190 m
Wood ????????????? $155 m
Other ????????????? $257 m

_______________________________________
Alaska export markets by percentage

country ???? energy ????? minerals ?? seafood ??? wood ??????????????? fertilizer
Japan ?????????????? 68 ?????????????????? 15 ?????????????????? 55 ?????????????????? 58 ?????????????????? -
Korea ????????????? 10 ?????????????????? 21 ?????????????????? 20 ?????????????????? 20 ?????????????????? 46
Singapore ??????? 5 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? -
China ????????????? 5 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 4 ???????????????????? 4 ???????????????????? -
Mexico ??????????? 3 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 25
Canada ??????????? 3 ???????????????????? 15 ?????????????????? - ???????????????????? 15 ?????????????????? 3
other ?????????????? 6 ????????????? 19 ?????????????????? 3 ???????????????????? 1 ???????????????????? 7
Belgium ?????????? - ???????????????????? 22 ?????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? -
Netherlands ??? - ???????????????????? 8 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? -
Germany ???????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 7 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? -
Portugal ????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 2 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? -
Norway ?????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 2 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? -
Thailand ????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 1 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 9
France ???????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 1 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? -
UK ?????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 1 ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? -
Taiwan ??????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 2 ???????????????????? 7
Australia ???????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? - ???????????????????? 3
-------------------------------------------

________________________________________________________________________
POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT - history, voter trends and groups sympathetic to FSP goals
________________________________________________________________________

A Short political history of Alaska -

27,000 BC humans cross Bering land bridge into new world
1741 Vitus Bering, Danish explorer working for Russia, first european to arrive in Alaska
1778 Capt. Cook sails into Cook Inlet, Anchorage, looking for north nest passage
1799 Alexander Barnov first Russian governor, in Archangel, near Sitka
1867 Alaska purchased from Russia by Secretary of State Seward, $7.2 mil
1867 -77 under jurisdiction of U.S. Army
1877-79 under jurisdiction of U.S. Treasury
1879-84 under jurisdiction of U.S. Navy
1884 designated as the District of Alaska with territorial governor
1897 The Alaskan gold rush
1906 Alaska given non-voting delegate in Washington
1912 Alaska becomes a territory
1935 "New Deal" relocates 200 familes to homestead and establish agriculture
1942 Japanese occupy Attu and Kiska islands during WW2
1957 oil discovered on Kenai penisula
1959 Alaska admitted as 49th state
1968 oil discovered at Pruhoe bay
1975 right to grow and smoke marijuana in privacy of home
1976 Permanent Fund created
1977 Alaska pipe line completed
1978 Dick Randolph of Alaska first elected Libertarian state legislator.
1984 Andre Marrou third Libertarian elected to the Alaska legislature.
1987 Libertarians nominate Ron Paul President, Andre Marrou Vice President.

1990 marijuana re-criminalized
1991 Governor Walter Hickel wins on Alaska Independence Party ticket
1998 medical marijuana legal

General Political assessment -
Significantly, Alaska has one of the lowest populations of the 50 states, if looked at in terms of population density it is the lowest, with something more than 600,000 people for 656,424 square miles (1.03 per square mile), with most of the population crowded into Anchorage and Fairbanks. The entire state has less people than the city of Baltimore.

______________________________________________________________________
Population ranking - year 2000

state ?????????????? total ??????????????? ranking

Wyoming ???????? 494 K ????????????? 50
Vermont ????????? 609 K ????????????? 49
Alaska ????????????? 627 K ?????????????? 48
Delaware ???????? 784 K ????????????? 45
Montana ????????? 902 K ????????????? 44
New Hamp.????? 1,236 K ?????????? 41
Idaho ????????????? 1,294 k ?????????? 39
Nevada ??????????? 1,998 K ?????????? 35

(various cities provided for comparison)
Washington DC 572 K
Baltimore ??????? 651 K
San Francisco ? 776 K
Chicago ????????? 2,896 K
Los Angeles ??? 3,695 K
New York City 8,008 K
----------------------------

Political breakdown;
Despite the fact that they elect a democrat governor once in a while, the state has a reputation for a conservative leaning, at least judging by election returns. The following figures give an indication of electoral trends;

2000 U.S. PRESIDENT / VICE PRESIDENT
Ballots Cast / Reg. Voters 287825 / 473648 60.77%
Total Votes 285560
--------------------------------------------
candidates party ???????????????????? votes ?????????????? percent

NADER/LaDUKE GRN ?????????????? 28747 ???????????? 10.07%
BUCHANAN/FOSTER REF ???????? 5192 ?????????????? 1.82%
BROWNE/OLIVIER LIB ????????????? 2636 ?????????????? 0.92%
Write-in Votes ??????????????????????? 1068??????????????? 0.37%
HAGELIN/GOLDHABER NAT ??? 919 ???????????????? 0.32%
PHILLIPS/FRAZIER CON ?????????? 596 ???????????????? 0.21%

BUSH/CHENEY REP ????????????????? 167398 ?????????? 58.62%
GORE/LIEBERMAN DEM ?????????? 79004 ???????????? 27.67%

--------------------------------------------------

However it's important to note that the single largest political classification in Alaska is "undeclared" at 161,000... the second largest group is Republicans at 113,000. It's hard to say exactly what this undeclared figure means. It could be a measure of 'frontier" independence, persons not wanting to be tied to any particular party, it might be that a large group of people are conflicted or inconsistent in their views, or it may simply be that a lot are willing to vote but won't bother join a party.

It is however, interesting to consolidate the smaller groups into broader categories.
Adding together;

Republican, Alaskan Independence and Libertarian voters yields 139,000 total.
Democrat, green and Republican Moderate yield 80,000 total.
Non partisan, Undeclared and "other' yield 231,000 total.

For all persons of known party affiliation, left to right (219K), Libertarians and AIP (26K) represent 12 %, significantly higher than the national average.

For this number of "undeclared voters" (231K), it might be safe to assume that at least 12% of the "undeclared" group is also of libertarian and/or AIP leanings, ...which would yield a total of 54,000 people for the whole state (450K)...? potentially, over twice the 20,000 FSP goal (and this number doesn't include sympathetic conservatives or other groups)
_____________________________________________________________
Break-down of voters by party;
TOTAL 450,141

Republican ??????????????? AK Independence ??????????????? Libertarian
113,380 ????????????????????? 18,554 ??????????????????????????????????? 7,234

Democrat ????????? Green ?????????????????????????????? Republican moderate
71,620 ??????????????????????? 4,764 ????????????????????????????????????? 2,872

Non partisan ???????????????????? Undeclared ??????????????????????? other
66,296 ??????????????????????? 161,035 ????????????????????????????????? 4,386
--------------------------------------------------
AK IND = Alaskan Independence Party
DEM = Alaskan Democratic Party
GREEN = Green Party of Alaska
LIBERT = Alaska Libertarian Party
REP= Republican Party of Alaska
REP MOD = Republican Moderate Party
OTHER = Other (belongs to group not recognized by the State of Alaska)
UNDECL = Undeclared (may belong to a party but voter doesnot wish to declare which one)
NON PAR = Non-Partisan (follows no party lines)

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Alaskan Libertarian party;
There 's a mixed record here. Alaska has had Libertarian state office holders, but at present, less than 2 percent of registered Alaskan voters are Libertarians (not much different than the national average). Significantly, in 1978 Dick Randolph of Alaska became the first elected Libertarian state legislator. In 1984 Andre Marrou became the third libertarian elected to the Alaska legislature, and in 1987 became Ron Paul's running mate.
Alaska has electoral classifications called "recognized political Party" and "limited political party." A "Limited" political party ceases to be recognized in the State of Alaska if its presidential candidate fails to receive at least 3% of the votes cast for President. "Recognized' status requires registered voters (or votes cast in a previous election) equal to at least 3% of the votes cast for Governor in the last election.

Currently one Libertarian holds public office in Alaska, 3 are running for office and one ran in 2000.

_______________________________________________________________________
History of "recognized" status - Alaska Libertarian Party

1976 - As a Limited Political Party, MacBride / Bergland (President / Vice President candidates) received 5.5% of votes cast for President, retaining Limited Political Party status.

1980 - As a Limited Political Party, Clark (presidential candidate) received 11.7% of votes cast for President, retaining Limited Political Party status.

1982 - Randolph / Thompson (Governor / Lt. Governor candidates) received 14.9% of votes cast for Governor, establishing Recognized Political Party status.

1984 - Bergland / Lewis (President / Vice President candidates) received 3.07% of the votes cast for President, retaining Limited Political Party status.

1986 - As a Recognized Political Party, O?Brannon / Barnes (Governor / Lt. Governor candidates) received 0.5% of votes cast for Governor, losing Recognized Political Party status.

1987 - Legal opinion established that even though they had lost their status as a Recognized Political Party, they kept their status as a Limited Political Party.

1988 - As a Limited Political Party, Paul / Marrou (President / Vice President candidates) received 2.7% of the votes cast for President, losing their Limited Political Party status.

10/9/92 - Limited Political Party petition certified

1992 - Marrou / Lord (President / Vice President candidates) received 0.5% of votes cast for President, losing Limited Political Party status.

12/19/95 - Limited Political Party petition certified

l996 - Browne / Jorgensen (President / Vice President candidates) received 0.9% of votes cast for President, losing Limited Political Party status.

1997 - Limited Political Party petition certified for 2000 elections

8/99 - Recognized Political Party status achieved by having at least 3% of the registered voters claiming affiliation with the Libertarian Party.

2000 - Browne / Olivier (President / Vice President candidates) received 0.9% of the votes cast for President, losing Limited Political Party status.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alaska Independence Party -

This is without a doubt the most intriguing thing about Alaska politics... The Alaska Independence party has roughly twice the membership of the libertarian party and is? dedicated to a number of political reforms aimed at strengthening Alaska's autonomy and protecting their citizens' freedom... and ultimately leading to political independence and secession.

In a sense, they are the Alaskan FSP and share many of the same goals....the main difference is, they're already convinced Alaska is the place to do it. In many ways they remind me of the pre-revolutionary American colonists; still part of the mother country, but forming their own identity and priorities and increasingly resentful of a distant, heavy handed government that looks upon their home as little more than a source of raw materials.

They appear to be an amalgam of libertarian, conservative and populist ideas, combined with great concern over local issues like resource use and government reform. They definitely have an "Alaska first" mentality, strongly identifying with their local culture and circumstances, with acute resentment toward interference by the Federal government.

Their main issue is self determination. A vote was held in 1958 giving Alaska the right to either become a state, remain a territory, or become a commonwealth. The AIP believes that United Nations resolutions on the right to self-determination meant that they should have been given the right to choose independence. Therefore, they favor a new referendum including independence as an option.

AIP was formed in the 70's by a Joe Vogler, who early on advocated an independent nation of Alaska. They actually had an elected governor in 1990, even if his term was somewhat controversial (Hickle, a former republican and Nixon Secretary of the Interior). Party membership stands at about 4% and comes from mostly rural districts in the central region. In some precincts their membership is as high as 24%.

The AIP platform;
_____________________________________________________________________________________
We pledge to exert our best efforts to accomplish the following:
1 To effect full compliance with the constitutions of the United States of America and the State of Alaska.
2 To support and defend States' Rights, Individual Rights, and the Equal Footing Doctrine as guaranteed by the constitutions of the United States of America and the state of Alaska.
3 To support the liberalization of initiative and referendum procedures to hold legislatures accountable to the will of the people.
4 To call and convene a State Constitutional Convention to address the flaws in the existing State Constitution.
5 To amend the Constitution of the State of Alaska so as to re-establish the rights of all Alaskan residents to entry upon all public lands within the state, and to acquire private property interest there in, under fair and reasonable conditions. Such property interest shall include surface and sub-surface patent.
6 To foster a constitutional amendment abolishing and prohibiting all property taxes.
7 To seek the complete repatriation of the public lands, held by the federal government, to the state and people of Alaska in conformance with Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17, of the federal constitution.
8 To prohibit all bureaucratic regulations and rulings purporting to have the effect of law, except that which shall be approved by the elected legislature.
9 To oppose with rare exception, any secret activities or expenditures of funds of any government agency, state, federal or international.
10 To preserve and protect the Alaska Permanent Fund, Permanent fund earnings, earnings reserve fund and individual Permanent Fund Dividends.
11 To provide for the direct popular election of the attorney general, all judges, and magistrates.
12 To provide for the development of unrestricted, statewide, surface transportation and utility corridors as needed by the public or any individual.
13 To affirm and assert every possible right-of-way established under R.S. 2477 of July 26, 1866, before its repeal by the Federal Land Management Policy Act of October 21, 1976.
14 To support the right of the individual to keep and bear arms.
15 To support the complete abolition of the concept of sovereign or governmental immunity, so as to restore accountability for public servants.
16 To support the rights of parents to privately or home school their children and to provide them individually the right to access to a proportional share of all money provided for educational purposes as an unrestricted grant for such purposes.
17 To support the privatization of government services.
18 To oppose the borrowing of money by government for any purposes other than for capital improvements.
19 To strengthen the traditional family and support individual accountability without government interference or regulation.
20 To support the right of jurors to judge the law as well as the facts, according to their conscience.
21 To support "Jobs for Alaskans...First!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOAL
The Alaskan Independence Party's goal is the vote we were entitled to in 1958, one choice from among the following four alternatives:
1) Remain a Territory. 2) Become a separate and Independent Nation.
3) Accept Commonwealth status. 4) Become a State, equal to the original 13.The call for this vote is in furtherance of the dream of the Alaskan Independence Party's founding father, Joe Vogler, that Alaskans achieve independence under a minimal government, fully responsive to the people, and promoting a peaceful and lawful means of resolving differences.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

A final comment; AIP has many ideas and goals in common with FSP. However, if FSP ever chose Alaska, it's a pretty safe bet the relationship would be one where they would expect FSP to join them. One particular difference worth noting is, AIP prides itself on refusing contributions from out of state... one of their main principles is "Alaska for Alaskans." In contrast, FSP's operating strategy is to organize like-minded individuals nationwide and gather them in one location. In my opinion, AIP needs an influx of people from out of state willing to embrace Alaska as their future home. In a state with significant percentage of the population working for the government, or receiving some form of public subsidy, AIP will never attain the numbers it needs to dominate the political landscape without financial support and immigration from outside of the state. FSP and AIP working together are likely to achieve the common goals shared by both groups.

Alaskan laws and key indicators ?

( note; the author is not specifically endorsing or opposing any of the following laws ? they are presented here in order to provide a basis for judgment of the current political climate )

-Gun laws

-Concealed permits ? recently recognized out of state permits

-Shall issue must carry permit, 5 yrs, $200 ? notify officer when carrying, cannot carry to school, courts, liquor store, etc.

-? strong right to keep and bear arms article in state constitution.

- unlicensed concealed carry Ok for hunting, camping, hiking, etc.

- record of sale, yes ? no state registration ? no license/permit to buy ?

- no state waiting period

- ordinary laws like, illegal to discharge firearms from car, or in reckless disregard to property damage and injury to persons

Drug decriminalization

-1975 law permitted adults to possess and grow small amounts of marijuana (under 4 oz) ? overturned in 1990 54.3% to 45.7%.

-1998, medical use of marijuana legalized

-2000, Measure 5, defeated, 61% to 39% - would have regulated marijuana like alcohol, ending penalties for use and cultivation by adults,? also legalized use of industrial hemp

Taxes and Permanent Fund

- no state income tax, but various other business taxes and fees

- Permanent fund provides investment dividends to all residents

- Property issues

- no homesteading since 1986

- More than 75% of the Federal land in Alaska closed to mining due to being located in National Parks, Preserves, Monuments, Wildlife Refuges, or other

- 66% of land is owned by the Federal government, not only one of the highest percentages among the states, but largest in actual acreage

- complaints about restrictions on natural resource land use and lack of roads into many areas

-Welfare spending;

ranks number 3 in nation at $1073 spent per capita on welfare payments (1997)

Abortion;

-laws prohibiting partial-birth abortion

-minor requires parental consent

-no waiting period but informed consent

-permit certain medical personnel, health facilities, to refuse to participate in abortion on the basis of conscience or religious conviction

-no laws specifically prohibiting clinic blockades and harassment?

-no laws requiring spousal consent or notice

-no laws to prevent state personnel from counseling or giving abortion referrals

-no laws prohibiting the use of public facilities for abortion

-public funding permitted in most or all circumstances

School Vouchers ;

-Alaska currently has charter schools but no vouchers

-various republican politicians? have pushed for the issue in recent years ?

-1976, vouchers voted down,? 54% against,? 46% for

Gay issues

-Sodomy laws repealed in 1980

-no municipalities offer domestic partner benefits in Alaska.

-no law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.

-1998, constitutional amendment bans marriage for same-sex couples

- hate crimes law does not include sexual orientation

Misc. laws;

-One regulation says no motorcycle helmets required, another says ?headgear? is required on public roads

-mandatory seat belt laws including back seat occupants and child restraints

- emissions testing for vehicles

-law protecting privacy of public library user's records

-laws that protect patient access to alternative therapies from licensed physicians

-1985 legalized ferret ownership

_______________________________________________________________________

Article I of Alaska State Constitution; Declaration of Right

SECTION 1. INHERENT RIGHTS. This constitution is dedicated to the principles that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own industry; that all persons are equal and entitled to equal rights, opportunities, and protection under the law; and that all persons have corresponding obligations to the people and to the State.

SECTION 2. SOURCE OF GOVERNMENT. All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole.

SECTION 3. CIVIL RIGHTS. No person is to be denied the enjoyment of any civil or political right because of race, color, creed, sex, or national origin. The legislature shall implement this section.

SECTION 4. FREEDOM OF RELIGION. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

SECTION 5. FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Every person may freely speak, write, and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right.

SECTION 6. ASSEMBLY; PETITION. The right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government shall never be abridged.

SECTION 7. DUE PROCESS. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. The right of all persons to fair and just treatment in the course of legislative and executive investigations shall not be infringed.

SECTION 8. GRAND JURY. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the armed forces in time of war or public danger. Indictment may be waived by the accused. In that case the prosecution shall be by information. The grand jury shall consist of at least twelve citizens, a majority of whom concurring may return an indictment. The power of grand juries to investigate and make recommendations concerning the public welfare or safety shall never be suspended.

SECTION 9. JEOPARDY AND SELF-INCRIMINATION. No person shall be put in jeopardy twice for the same offense. No person shall be compelled in any criminal proceeding to be a witness against himself.

SECTION 10. TREASON. Treason against the State consists only in levying war against it, or in adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

SECTION 11. RIGHTS OF ACCUSED. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of twelve, except that the legislature may provide for a jury of not more than twelve nor less than six in courts not of record. The accused is entitled to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be released on bail, except for capital offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

SECTION 12. CRIMINAL ADMINISTRATION. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Criminal administration shall be based upon the following: the need for protecting the public, community condemnation of the offender, the rights of victims of crimes, restitution from the offender, and the principle of reformation.

SECTION 13. HABEAS CORPUS. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or actual or imminent invasion, the public safety requires it.

SECTION 14. SEARCHES AND SEIZURES. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses and other property, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated. No warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

SECTION 15. PROHIBITED STATE ACTION. No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. No law impairing the obligation of contracts, and no law making any irrevocable grant of special privileges or immunities shall be passed. No conviction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate.

SECTION 16. CIVIL SUITS; TRIAL BY JURY. In civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds two hundred fifty dollars, the right of trial by a jury of twelve is preserved to the same extent as it existed at common law. The legislature may make provision for a verdict by not less than three-fourths of the jury and, in courts not of record, may provide for a jury of not less than six or more than twelve.

SECTION 17. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. There shall be no imprisonment for debt. This section does not prohibit civil arrest of absconding debtors.

SECTION 18. EMINENT DOMAIN. Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation.

SECTION 19. RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. A well- regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The individual right to keep and bear arms shall not be denied or infringed by the State or a political subdivision of the State.

SECTION 20. QUARTERING SOLDIERS. No member of the armed forces shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner or occupant, or in time of war except as prescribed by law. The military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.

SECTION 21. CONSTRUCTION. The enumeration of rights in this constitution shall not impair or deny others retained by the people.

SECTION 22. RIGHT OF PRIVACY. The right of the people to privacy is recognized and shall not be infringed. The legislature shall implement this section.

SECTION 23. RESIDENT PREFERENCE. This constitution does not prohibit the State from granting preferences, on the basis of Alaska residence, to residents of the State over nonresidents to the extent permitted by the Constitution of the United States.

SECTION 24. RIGHTS OF CRIME VICTIMS. Crime victims, as defined by law, shall have the following rights as provided by law: the right to be reasonably protected from the accused through the imposition of appropriate bail or conditions of release by the court; the right to confer with the prosecution; the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness during all phases of the criminal and juvenile justice process; the right to timely disposition of the case following the arrest of the accused; the right to obtain information about and be allowed to be present at all criminal or juvenile proceedings where the accused has the right to be present; the right to be allowed to be heard, upon request, at sentencing, before or after conviction or juvenile adjudication, and at any proceeding where the accused's release from custody is considered; the right to restitution from the accused; and the right to be informed, upon request, of the accused's escape or release from custody before or after conviction or juvenile adjudication.

SECTION 25. MARRIAGE To be valid or recognized in this State, a marriage may exist only between one man and one woman.

_____________________________________
Geopolitical factors
_____________________________________

In respect to sheer size and amount of natural resources, Alaska could easily be its own self sustaining country. It's the largest state in the union with a total area of 656,000 square miles, the next largest state being Texas at 268,000 square miles. Currently, approximately 68% of this land is "owned" by the state and federal government. Population density is the lowest of all the states being somewhere around one person per square mile. It's worth stressing that like Hawaii, Alaska is physically separate from the rest of the United States which affords a certain cultural and psychological distance. It is separated from the ?mother land? by Canada and pacific coastal waters. Technically, Alaska territory is geographically closer to Russia than the lower 48 states.

At 5, 580 miles, Alaska has a larger total coastline than both the east and west coasts of the lower 48 states combined, and possesses 9 major ports. Valdez ranks as the nation's 10th largest port in terms of cargo shipped. It also ranks as the 4th largest oil port in the nation. Dutch harbor is the nation's largest port serving the commercial fishing industry.

Anchorage airport is the nation's top international hub for air freight? moving between Europe, Asia and the U.S. The recently opened over-the-pole air routes to Asia and Europe have cut down the number of passenger flights, however Anchorage is still one of the top 5 busiest air cargo airports in the world. Anchorage is less than 9 hours from most of the industrialized world, functioning as a re-fueling pit stop.

Oddly there is no direct road or rail system connecting Juneau (the state capital located in the southern panhandle), and the rest of state. However, the Alaska highway runs through Canada and ultimately connects to the lower 48.

________________________________________________________________________
Future relations with the Federal government and the other States of the Union
________________________________________________________________________

Inevitably questions come up about the Free State's future relationship with the Federal government, especially in relation to issues of sovereignty. The same issues will arise for any state, but there are special circumstances worth noting about Alaska.

Oil reserves;

Of late there has been a debate about whether there should be oil drilling in ANWR. ANWR represents in miniature what is likely to become a firestorm of debate over who controls what resources if Alaska ever moved toward independence. The U.S. imports about 55% of the oil it needs, half of that from OPEC countries. The U.S. consumes about 25% of global oil production, but only owns about 3% of known reserves. 80% of known oil reserves are in the Mideast. Crude oil production in the lower 48 states for the year 2000 was 4.9 million barrels per day, and slightly less than 1 million MnB/d from Alaska. Between 1973 and the present, oil imports from the Mideast have risen by 2/3rds. The point in all these figures is, the U.S. continues to use more oil every year, even as the resources diminish... the U.S. government would never let a resource of that magnitude slip through its fingers.

There are several possible scenarios to consider;

1) the government of Alaska changes, but business relationships stay the same. The same oil companies continue to pump the same oil fields and the same oil is shipped to the U.S.? Currently there is a debate about whether any U.S. oil should be exported - approximately 7% of Alaskan crude is shipped to Asia. The U.S. government would likely insist that present levels of oil production be guaranteed to the U.S. in the future

2) it's possible that current oil fields could be granted to the U.S. on a "hundred year lease" In effect ANWR and the "National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska" would continue to be owned by the Federal government. The question is whether Alaska would be deprived of any economic benefit beyond providing local services to the industry.

3) It's also quite possible that the U.S. would simply carve out the oil reserves and retain them as territories without regard to negotiation with the nation of Alaska. With serious talk of "taking over" mideast oil fields, there is little doubt that many in the lower 48 would view this as both practical and justified.

National Parks

While it may be hard for a libertarian to understand that this could seriously be debated, the issue of who actually owns Alaska pertains not only to oil, but wildlife reserves, national parks and ecosystems. To put it bluntly, many in the lower 48 think that they "own" Alaska as much, if not more than the people that live there. This is not only the mindset of government bureaucrats, but many people that regard themselves as "environmentalists." There is an increasingly worrisome mindset among eco-nuts that is likely to create a problem for Alaskan independence. Many in this category openly profess a leftwing "global citizen" bent... they are not only hostile to the concept of individual property rights and private business,? but may even scorn national sovereignty in favor of internationalist/UN control of "natural areas." The same mindset can be observed operating within the U.S., again, well illustrated by the ANWR debate. Often portrayed as a sort of pristine Yellowstone of the north, there is a call by many environmentalists to "protect" an area that is essentially an uninhabited, barren, flat wasteland. In essence they want to keep all of Alaska untouched like some sort of "Pleistocene Park." If this frozen swamp is debated so hotly, imagine the protest over? letting a bunch of "extremist"? "nature raping" libertarians take over Denali. I recall seeing a news report once concerning the issue of allowing the wolf hunting in Alaska. For some reason they were driven to get a "man on the street" opinion from a woman in New York City. Her opinion was as enlightening as it was disturbing... she expressed outrage over the hunting and said that she, as a New Yorker, owned Alaska as much as the people that lived there and thus had a say in such things. While the hubris was astounding, this anecdote illustrates the resistance FSP would likely encounter simply based on "environmental protection" issues. That an urban dweller living over 3000 miles away, has as much "right" to create and impose law over the people that actually live and work in Alaska, is the core of the resentment so many Alaskans feel toward the lower 48. But, this "protecting nature" posturing is likely to be used as another justification of why Alaskans couldn't be "trusted" with their own land. If push came to shove, it would probably be desirable to carve out and relinquish chunks of territory like Denali to the Fed's in order to remove it as a contested issue.

Percentage of Federally Owned Land

Vermont, ???????????????????? 7%

West Virginia ????????????? 7%

New Hampshire ????????? 13.2%

Hawaii ???????????????????????? 16%

Delaware ???????????????????? 19%

Wyoming, ??????????????????? 49%

Oregon, ?????????????????????? 60%

Idaho, ???????????????????????? 62%

Utah, ?????????????????????????? 64%

Alaska ???????????? 66%

Nevada??????????????????????? 82%

-------------------------------------

Military presence

The single biggest employer in the state is the military at over 17,000, and this is just counting "uniformed" personnel... it doesn't even include support services provided by civilians. The early warning radar system (DEW) was deployed in Alaska in the 60's to detect a possible Soviet bomber and missile attack. Ground based radar and interceptors are still stationed there, although since the reduction in tensions between the Russia and the U.S. there has been a progressive decline in the number of personnel stationed there.? The primary role for Alaska is as a staging ground for possible force projection? into the pacific and Asia. As such, the U.S, would never give up access to those bases. Of course, even secession wouldn't necessarily mean cutting off military cooperation with U.S. Such a relationship would be necessary for the defense of Alaska in the foreseeable future as the Nation of Alaska couldn't deploy a credible military defense by itself. There isn't any reason to doubt that U.S. military bases could (or should) continue to operate there just as they do in other European and Asian countries, although the nature of such alliances would have to be carefully thought out. There is the possibility that current military bases would simply continue to be owned outright by the U.S. just as Guantanamo Bay is in Cuba.

Partitioning Alaska

As was stated earlier, there may be a rationale for ceding pieces of Alaskan territory to the U.S. government for oil, natural resource and military issues, as the main issue for Alaskan independence is not acquiring huge tracts of land, but political autonomy. For instance, as was already mentioned, the oil fields of the far north would probably have to be surrendered, as might certain nature reserves. It would not be necessary for the Nation of Alaska to keep control of the Aleutian chain, although that represents a military asset to the U.S. If certain areas, Kodiak Island for instance, wanted to stay within the U.S, we would of course, never stand in their way, as we support self determination for everyone. The same thing might go for certain Native American villages and corporations, they might feel they'd get a better deal staying with the U.S. as a protectorate.

The best scenario might be to encourage the "pan-handle"? to remain with the U.S. as the State of Alaska. This might be highly desirable for two reasons. Imagine the controversy and embarrassment over having part of the United States leave the union (we know what happened last time). Funny as it sounds to say, think about the symbolic act of having to change the flag of the U.S. back to 49 stars... the political and historical? humiliation that would represent. It might be desirable to allow the Feds to "save face" by allowing them to keep a certain chunk of land that still fulfills the role of being the 50th state. The "pan handle" is almost perfectly designed for such a purpose. The capital of the state is located there in Juneau, probably chosen because it was the closest spot to the lower 48. However, oddly enough, there is no direct road or rail connection to the rest of the state. Transportation in and out is mostly by air, although cruise ships frequent the area. Juneau can be reached by roads into Canada, but for all intents and purposes they are geographically isolated from the rest of Alaska by a narrow band of impassable mountains (would that we were all so lucky with our state capitals) They actually considered using nuclear weapons to blow a pass through the area in the 60's but gave up the idea as impractical. I mentioned that the seat of state government is located there. Such a ceding of the pan-handle would also provide a very convenient and easy excision of a cyst of government employees and infrastructure, the single strongest coalition likely to resist secession or even simple libertarian reform of government.

August 28, 2002

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of the Free State Project, its Officers, or Directors.

State Data

Rankings

This section ranks the states according to the above variables ("1" is best). The variables are treated roughly in order of importance, though of course this is an area in which opinions will differ. We have recently created a spreadsheet that allows you to weight each variable according to your own preference and come up with an overall ranking of states! The spreadsheet requires a recent version of Microsoft Excel and you can download it here. The spreadsheet file contains instructions for its own use. If you don't like spreadsheets, there's also an easier (but now fairly outdated) Javascript version, which you can use on your browser! Click here to try it out.

Low Number of Voters ("Vot" variable)

1. Wyoming
2. Alaska
3. North Dakota
4. Vermont
5. South Dakota
6. Delaware
7. Montana
8. Idaho
9. New Hampshire
10. Maine

Low Federal Dependence ("Dep" variable)

1. New Hampshire
2. Delaware
3. Vermont
4. Wyoming
5. Idaho
6. Maine
7. South Dakota
8. Alaska
9. Montana
10. North Dakota

Strong Projected Jobs Growth ("Job" variable)

1. Idaho
2. New Hampshire
3. Montana
4. Delaware, South Dakota
6. Maine
7. Alaska
8. Wyoming
9. Vermont
10. North Dakota

Geography ("Geo" variable)

1. Coastal access: Delaware, New Hampshire, Maine
4. Coastal but isolated: Alaska
5. Canadian border only: North Dakota, Vermont, Montana, Idaho
9. Landlocked inside the U.S.: Wyoming, South Dakota

Low Campaign Expenditures ("Fin" variable)

1. North Dakota
2. Vermont
3. Wyoming
4. Alaska
5. Idaho
6. Delaware
7. Montana
8. Maine
9. South Dakota
10. New Hampshire

High Votes for Conservative and Libertarian Presidential Candidates ("Pres" variable)

1. Wyoming
2. Idaho
3. North Dakota
4. South Dakota
5. Alaska
6. Montana
7. New Hampshire
8. Maine
9. Delaware
10. Vermont

Low State and Local Taxes ("Tax" variable)

1. Alaska
2. New Hampshire
3. Delaware
4. South Dakota, Wyoming (tie)
6. Montana
7. North Dakota
8. Vermont
9. Idaho
10. Maine

Lack of Statewide Land-Use Planning ("Land" variable)

1. Wyoming, Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana
6. Idaho
7. New Hampshire, Maine
9. Vermont, Delaware

Low Crime Rates ("Crm" variable)

1. New Hampshire
2. South Dakota
3. North Dakota
4. Maine
5. Vermont
6. Idaho
7. Wyoming
8. Montana
9. Delaware
10. Alaska

More Gun Freedom ("Gun" variable)

1. Alaska
2. Vermont
3. New Hampshire
4. Idaho, Wyoming, Montana
7. Maine
8. North Dakota
9. South Dakota
10. Delaware

Smaller State & Local Government Sector ("Gov2" variable)

1. New Hampshire
2. Delaware
3. South Dakota
4. North Dakota
5. Wyoming
6. Idaho
7. Alaska, Vermont
9. Maine
10. Montana

Low Level of City Urbanization ("UrbA" variable)

1. Vermont
2. Maine
3. Wyoming
4. South Dakota
5. Montana
6. North Dakota
7. Alaska
8. New Hampshire
9. Idaho
10. Delaware

Livability Ranking ("Liv" variable)

1. New Hampshire
2. Wyoming
3. South Dakota
4. Maine
5. North Dakota
6. Vermont
7. Delaware
8. Idaho
9. Alaska
10. Montana

Low Percentage of Residents Born in State ("Ins" variable)

1. Alaska
2. Wyoming
3. New Hampshire
4. Idaho
5. Delaware
6. Vermont
7. Montana
8. Maine
9. South Dakota
10. North Dakota

Low Percentage of Government Employees ("Gov3" variable)

1. Delaware
2. New Hampshire
3. Maine
4. Idaho
5. Vermont
6. Montana
7. South Dakota
8. Alaska
9. North Dakota
10. Wyoming

Low Percentage of NEA/AFT Members ("NEA" variable)

1. Idaho, New Hampshire (tie)
3. South Dakota
4. Wyoming, Delaware (tie)
6. North Dakota
7. Maine
8. Vermont
9. Montana
10. Alaska

More Economic Freedom ("EFNA" variable)

1. Delaware
2. South Dakota
3. New Hampshire
4. Wyoming
5. Vermont
6. Idaho
7. Maine, North Dakota (tie)
9. Montana
10. Alaska

More Private and Locally Owned Land ("PLand" variable)

1. Montana
2. South Dakota
3. North Dakota
4. Wyoming
5. Idaho
6. Maine
7. Alaska
8. Vermont
9. New Hampshire
10. Delaware

Escape to New Hampshire Vacation

Escape to New Hampshire Getaway Week

Hosted by the Welcome to the Granite State Committee formed to promote New Hampshire as the best choice for the Free State Project, Escape to New Hampshire will be a getaway week of fun, relaxation, information sharing, and new friendships. All are welcome whether you plan to join us for a single day, a weekend, or the entire week.

The event will be held at Rogers Resort and Campground in Lancaster, NH from June 21-29. Motel rooms, cabins, and camping sites are filling fast, so we encourage you to make your reservations TODAY. To do so, call 603-788- 4885 or email rogers@ncia.net. Make certain to tell them you are with the Free State Project group.

For frequent updates on the event, you may visit http://www.lpnh.org/escape.htm or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Escape_Announce/. We look forward to meeting everyone!

PROGRAM PLAN:

June 21, 2003 (Saturday)
CHECK-IN & ORIENTATION DAY

Spend the afternoon getting oriented to Roger's Resort and Campground. Set up your campsite, enjoy the swimming pools, hot tub, and water slide, as well as the many other sports and activities offered on the Roger's grounds. Meet and get to know your future FSP neighbors. If you have time, consider visiting Christie's Maple Sugar Museum within easy walking distance from the resort.

The "Escape Welcome Cabin" hosted by George Reich will open at 3:00 pm. Make sure to stop in for a chat and to pick up information about the Escape program, nearby attractions, and the state.

At 8 p.m. join us for the Granite State Welcome and Porcupine Kick-Off Campfire. Put faces to email personas, meet the NH delegates, and get to know your future Free State neighbors and allies.

June 22, 2003 (Sunday)
LIVE FREE HERE - THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ADVANTAGE CONVENTION

Join us for a full day (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) of stimulating presentations by speakers including Elizabeth McKinstry and Tim Condon, members of the FSP board, LPNH gubernatorial candidate and chair John Babiarz, LP Presidential candidates Gary Nolan and Michael Badnarik, Diane Gilbert from the New Hampshire Center for Constitutional Studies, among others, and a panel Q&A session including Don Gorman, James Maynard, and others answering all your questions about the NH advantage and political environment.

Vendor and information tables will give you the choice to learn about the many freedom-movement groups in New Hampshire, New Hampshire real estate, employment opportunities, business climate, and more. Lunch will be on your own.

Then join us again at 7 p.m. for the WttGSC-sponsored BBQ and let the Welcome to the Granite State Committee members serve you traditional BBQ fare while you get to know fellow FSP porcupines better.

June 23, 2003 (Monday)
TOUR THE WHITE MOUNTAINS & GREAT NORTH WOODS REGIONS

A group will be traveling to Lincoln (a short 30-minute drive) to spend the day at Franconia Notch State Park. If you wish to join us, please meet outside of the office store at 8:45 a.m. This is a not-to-be-missed trip during which you'll get a tour the Flume Gorge, a natural gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty, and view the Basin, a beautiful waterfall with a 20-foot granite pothole at its base formed 15,000 years ago.

While much of the park is available to tour for free, there is a nominal user fee charged for parts ($8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 6-12. Under 6 are free). If we have time we'll take the 80-passenger aerial tramway to the 4,200-foot summit of Cannon Mountain (additional fees).

Do you prefer to spend the day on your own? Consider taking a several-hour sightseeing trip traveling the 34.5 mile Kancamagus Highway from Lincoln to Conway, considered one of the most scenic routes through the White Mountains. Once at the end, consider taking the "long" way back to camp through North Conway into Glen to visit Heritage NH depicting 350 years of New Hampshire's history through 25 state-of-the-art movie sets built in a 120,000 square foot museum.

To see more of the Great North Woods, head north on Route 3 to Colebrook or Pittsburg to see the wilderness areas, returning on Route 26 through Dixville Notch, home of the famous Balsams Grand Resort, and, from Errol, Route 16 south. This route will take you near the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge and through beautiful Thirteen Mile Woods and "Moose Alley" an area known for its many moose sightings. Or in Lancaster, turn south on Route 3 to Weeks State Park. From the tower you can enjoy spectacular views of the White Mountains and Vermont.

Tuesday, June 24
GETTING TO KNOW NEW HAMPSHIRE

We've intentionally left this day free. Enjoy the time to get to know your future FSP neighbors, spend time with the NH delegates, or use the day to explore and discover the true New Hampshire.

Perhaps you would like to visit the Seacoast region. Although a 2+ hour drive each way, this is well worth the trip, especially for history buffs! Once in the region, take Route 1A from Hampton Beach to Portsmouth for gorgeous views of sandy beaches. A stop in Hampton Beach or Portsmouth is a must. Walk the long sandy beach in Hampton, while in Portsmouth you can take a carriage ride or a walking tour to get to know the colonial city. Have lunch overlooking the water while you decide how to spend the afternoon: on the water on a whale watch, lighthouse or island tour. Consider visiting Fort Constitution in New Castle where the first aggressive act of the Revolution took place. Ashore, visit Strawbery Banke, one of America's oldest settlements, or the colonial homes that line Portsmouth's streets. In Exeter, you'll want to spend some time visiting the American Independence Museum and tour the Ladd-Gilman house where an original of the Declaration of Independence was found several years ago. Displays feature two drafts of the U.S. Constitution along with original letters, documents, and portraits of the Founding Fathers.

This evening (or any evening), consider taking a scenic moose and wildlife tour with Pemi Valley Excursions. This is a 2.5 to 3 hour journey through the White Mountains in an air conditioned bus in search of the gentle giant of the North Country. The nightly excursions feature a guided tour of the local area, a 1/2 hour video called Moose Close-Up, and interesting historical sites along the way, including a visit to the Old Man of the Mountains, the symbol of New Hampshire. Please contact Pemi Valley Excursion for charges. The tour departs at 7:15 pm, so you will want to plan on leaving Rogers by 6:15.

Wednesday, June 25
Mount Washington and the Lost River Gorge Excursions

On this day, a group will be visiting Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves in North Woodstock, about a 45-minute drive. Set in Kinsman Notch, between Mt. Moosilauke and Mt. Kinsman, Lost River Gorge is accessible via wooden walkways, bridges, and ladders. A self-guided tour about ? of a mile long, this will be an afternoon of adventure, fun, and beauty enjoyed by both children and adults. Sturdy footwear and outdoor clothing recommended. Park fees are $9.50 for adults and $6.50 ages 4-12. If joining us, please meet outside the office store at 8:45 am.

Spending the day on your own? Consider visiting Mt. Washington and traveling to the observatory via the auto road or cog railway. It can be quite cold at the top, even at the end of June, so be sure to dress appropriately. You can find more information at http://www.mountwashington.org/ and http://www.mountwashington.com/ .

Thursday, June 26
NEW HAMPSHIRE SUN, FUN & EXPLORATION

Another day of fun and exploration! Hang out with FSP friends at Rogers' pool or take a scenic tour through the region of New Hampshire that interests you most.

Perhaps you will choose to take Route 16 to visit the NH Lakes Region. There's a gorgeous scenic route along Routes 153, 125, and local roads around Milton and Wakefield; or you can take Route 28 east to Wolfeboro, "America's first summer resort." The town is ideal for walking, browsing through shops and visiting the local historical society. If you're lucky, you'll get to see the m/s Mount Washington cruise ship come into port; and maybe go on board for a tour of Lake Winnipesaukee, the state's largest lake.

From Wolfeboro, Route 109 takes you to Moultonborough and Castle in the Clouds, with its stunning views of the region. Then continue on to Center Sandwich or head west to Center Harbor, Meredith and Laconia, all fascinating lakefront towns. The Squam Lakes area and its Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, as well as the Winnisquam and Newfound Lakes areas each deserve a special trip. Squam Lake is also well-known by movie buffs as the location of the film On Golden Pond.

Friday, June 27
MEET NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR BENSON

On this day, a tour of the Historic New Hampshire State House and meeting with New Hampshire Governor Benson have been arranged for Free State Project members joining us for the Escape to New Hampshire.

The meeting for FSP members with Governor Benson will take place in the Governor's office at 1:00 pm. FSP members will have the opportunity to speak briefly with the Governor and gain a better sense of the welcome FSP will receive from the very highest levels of New Hampshire state government.

Led by a visitor's center guide and John Babiarz, LPNH Chair, the tour of the historic State House will occur just prior to the meeting. The New Hampshire State House is the oldest in the nation in which the legislature still occupies its original chambers.

Although most Escape to NH events have been designed for casual attire, we must ask that those planning to attend the State House tour and meeting with the Governor plan to wear proper business attire (i.e., no shorts, sports coats for men, skirt or slacks for women). Concord is a 2+ hour drive from Lancaster, so you will need to plan on leaving Rogers' in the morning. Welcome to the Granite State Committee members will be happy to help you plan your route or try to arrange for carpooling.

Saturday, June 28
NEW HAMPSHIRE FREEDOM NETWORKING DAY

Join us at the Rogers' Function Hall and spend the afternoon talking with representatives and members of liberty-oriented groups from around New Hampshire. Begin to form coalitions and partnerships with the individuals and groups who will support the FSP in New Hampshire and talk directly with freedom-minded New Hampshire residents to learn about the NH advantage. This will be a full day of food, fun, information, literature, and networking.

In the evening, join us at the special "Hospitality House" in Jefferson, NH for a BBQ, closing party, and fireworks hosted by Welcome to the Granite State committee member, John Barnes.

To make reservations click here!

More information is available here.

Past Poll Results

8-1 through 8-9

If you had to move tomorow which state would you prefer? (non-binding survey)
Wyoming 9 (13%), Vermont 2 (3%), Alaska 10 (15%), New Hampshire 8 (12%), Delaware 6 (9%), Rhode Island 0 (0%), Maine 2 (3%), New Mexico 10 (15%), Nevada 11 (16%), Other 8 (12%), 66 Total votes

8-10 through 8-21

1. If the pledge were changed to a "Statement of Intent," and the other wording changed appropriately, would you and your family be more likely, less likely, or as likely to sign the pledge? [142 votes total]
More likely (74) 52%
Just as likely (63) 44%
Less likely (5) 4%

2. If the pledge/statement became void every few years - and thus require periodic renewal, would that make you and your family more likely, less likely, or as likely to sign it? [137 votes total]
More likely (60) 44%
Just as likely (62) 45%
Less likely (15) 11%

3. If the pledge/statement allowed you to list states to which you would absolutely not move, would that make you and your family more likely, less likely, or as likely to sign it? [143 votes total]
More likely (82) 57%
Just as likely (54) 38%
Less likely (7) 5%

4. In the Bylaws, should we change "members" to read "participants"? [117 votes total]
Yes (73) 62%
No (44) 38%

5. What size of state should we consider in the vote? [137 votes total]
Under 2 million voters (61) 45%
Under 1.2million voters (23) 17%
Under 800K voters (21) 15%
Under 500K voters (32) 23%

6. Should we consider states that do not have coastal access (are landlocked)? [154 votes total]
Yes (86) 56%
No (68) 44%

8-22 to 8-29

1. How soon should we decide on which state to move to? [131 votes total]
Right now (26) 20%
After 1000 members (23) 18%
After 5K (17) 13%
After 10K (23) 18%
After 20K (42) 32%

2. Should we switch the vote mechanism to cumulative count? [115 votes total]
Yes (77) 67%
No (23) 20%
Doesn't matter (15) 13%

9-2 to 9-6

Which is your favorite design for the new FSP logo?
Type 1, 6%
Type 2, 2%
Type 3, 3%
Type 4, 4%
Type 5, 18%
Type 6, 20%
Type 7, 14%
Type 8, 5%
Type 9, 6%
Type 10, 2%
Type 11, 21%

9-6 to 9-9

Which is your favorite design for the new FSP logo? (runoff)
Type 5, 37%
Type 6, 50%
Type 11, 13%

12-11 through 12-18

Should the FSP consider American overseas commonwealths (Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, etc.)?
Yes, 41 votes (49%)
No, 42 votes (51%)

More coming soon!

Email: info@freestateproject.org

Paypal Theft Details

Debra Ricketts, 8 July 2003

Dear Members,

Since the announcement that was recently sent out, we have received several requests for details on the Paypal theft. We've always had an open-book policy, so here are the sordid details:

We utilize a debit card on our Paypal account to pay for online charges (such as airfare) and when I ship packages out (premium purchases, etc). On Monday, July 7, I checked the Paypal account while balancing our accounts. I was shocked to see our balance was nearly wiped out, with debit charges ranging from $13 to $800 each.

Each of the charges were local to Las Vegas / Henderson area, and was made in the past week, beginning on July 1 and ending on July 6. What is confusing - and ominous - is that I still have the debit card with me. I immediately called Paypal, who cancelled the debit card and instructed me on the process to contest the charges. They also assured me that they had not sent out a replacement card (which was my first thought).

The biggest victim (or perhaps, enabler) is Walmart. A $671 charge was made at a Walmart supercenter in Las Vegas, another for $800 even at a Walmart in Henderson, and a third $800 charge was attempted (and denied) at yet a third store. The other major charges include $200 even at a 7-11, and $138 at Vons, a local grocery chain.

When I spoke with a customer service rep (Sarah) at Walmart, she looked up the transaction and indicated that the card was swiped through a machine. I asked her how that was possible, since I have the card, and she indicated that the card may have been "forged" (i.e. manufactured). When I asked how they could have used it without ID, she said that it is Walmart's policy to check ID.

Obviously not.

In any case, she said there is nothing she can do and told me to contest the charges with Paypal.

7-11 has not responded to my numerous emails and phone calls. In each case, the person on the other line has indicated that a supervisor will call me, and has not. Ditto with Vons.

I have not yet filed a police report, since I wanted to get as much information as possible from the merchants before doing so. I will file it on Wednesday or Thursday. In the meantime, I only know that the person is local to my area and has a card with our number on it. The number could only have been gotten from a receipt at the Postnet I frequent, or by going through my trash. Frankly, I don't know which would bother me more, as I like and trust(ed) the folks at Postnet; at the same time, the thought of someone going through the trash in front of my home gives me the willies.

The woman at Paypal that I spoke to does not seem to think there will be a problem with getting the charges reversed. According to Tim-the-lawyer and others, we should be responsible for $50 at most. The wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly, however, so it will take time to get the money back into our account. In the meantime, as I said, the debit card number has been cancelled and I will be writing checks instead of debiting in the future.

I should add at this point that while Paypal has some legitimate security issues, in this particular instance, they were not responsible for what occurred - that rests squarely on the shoulders of the vendors who accepted the fraudulent card.

Anyone who has any comments or suggestions on how we - I - can improve security, please contact me. This is distressing not only for the obvious cash loss, but because it is my responsibility as Treasurer to ensure the integrity of our funds.

Debra J. Ricketts

Wednesday, 9 July 2003 Dear Members,

Just an update on the Paypal theft. I spoke with Detective Williams at Las Vegas Metropolitan police department Fraud Division (702-229-3285) this morning about filing a report. She asked if we had contested the charges with our bank. I indicated that we were in the process of doing so, as we just found out about the theft yesterday. She said that we had to wait until a decision was made by Paypal before filing a report.

The reasoning is that if the bank reverses the charges, then they (Paypal) become the victim of the financial crime instead of us, and they (Paypal) would need to file the report, rather than us. She said that if we filed a report now, got the charges reversed, and then Paypal filed a report, the report might go to a different detective, who would be duplicating the investigation of the first detective. Consequently, they won't accept the report until Paypal's decision is made.

So, now it's back in Paypal's hands. The paperwork they requested has been filled out and goes out today certified mail.

Debra J Ricketts

Friday, 11 July 2003

The paperwork to Paypal has been sent certified mail. According to several sources who have had a similar experience, we should have the funds returned within a few weeks. Of course, each situation is different, so we're not counting our chickens quite yet.

We've had a shredder donated to us to ensure that in the future, no hard copies of any materials are salvagable (thanks, Scott!). And Von's has finally contacted me about the issue; I will be calling them back today.

Thursday, 17 July 2003

I spoke with Jeff, the manager of the 7-11 that accepted a $200 charge on our debit card. He indicated that while they normally have 30 days worth of video, they only have 7 right now, because the high-end camera (for which I had held high-end hopes) wasn't working correctly. Naturally, by the time he got back to me, the day in question had been overwritten.

Paypal also responded, with the statement, "We have received your affidavits regarding the loss on your debit card. Due to the unabuthorized nature of your dispute and the large dollar amounts in involved, we will need you to file a police report. We will need either a copy of the report or the report number."

So I called Las Vegas Metro once again. Once again, I was told that they won't accept a report until the bank's decision is made, since the bank becomes the victim if they roll back the charges. I indicated that I was still the victim, since this was identity theft. No, it's not, said Mr. Police Man. You don't have any proof that your name was used, only that the card number was used. And since I have the original card, it isn't property theft either. So it's fraud -a financial crime for which they will only accept a report from the final victim. <sigh>

I've let Angela at Paypal know (yes, the Paypal customer rep & I are now on a first-name basis), giving her the contact names & phone numbers of the helpful folks at Metro. I'll update everyone as I find out more.

Thursday, 18 July 2003

SUCCESS!!

Paypal has reversed the charges on all of the unauthorized transactions on our Paypal account. The merchants in question have 45 days for rebuttal, but that shouldn't affect us, since the card used was a forged card and in all likelihood didn't have an authorized user name on it. In any case, it's now between Paypal and the merchants. The only bummer is that we probably won't ever know who was responsible and how they got the number, unless they are caught and I'm called in as a witness.

Here's hoping!

FSP Archives

This section contains an archive of old web pages, that are probably out-of-date, but may still be of some limited value.

The main sections are currently:

State Vote Results - information on the state vote
State Reports - reports about the 10 candidate states
State Data - data gathered about the 10 candidate states

NOTE: Some older links might no longer work.

101 Reasons (PDF)

A-Z Actions
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Welcome from NH Residents

1 You need to login to the Forum and have "membership" status to access.

Some website shortcuts:

On the main page, click on the member tally (upper left) to go to the Membership Stats page
On any page, click on the FSP logo (top left) to go to the home page
On any page, click on the NH picture (upper right) to go to the NH Info page
All these URLs take you to our home page:
www.freestateproject.org
freestateproject.org
freeme.org
Note: case is ignored, so e.g. "FreeMe.org" and "freeme.org" are equivalent.
You can refer a prospect directly to the "Join the FSP" page with this URL shortcut: freestateproject.org/join or, even shorter, freeme.org/join

Historical Purposes

State	Pop	Area	Ins	Geo	Vot	Fin	Blm	PLand	Liv	Crm	UrbA	UrbC
Wyoming	499	97105	42.5	Locked	213	4.7	45.9	42.782	28.81	3518	25.5	39.8
Alaska	644	570374	38.1	Isolated	288	6.1	67	23.77	23.88	4236	44.3	21.4
North Dakota	634	68994	72.5	Canada	290	4.2	3.9	62.684	28.02	2418	35.8	20.0
Vermont	617	9249	54.3	Canada	291	4.3	6.4	7.791	29.95	2769	17.3	20.9
South Dakota	761	75898	68.1	Locked	316	18.8	6.3	69.186	29.79	2332	25.8	26.2
Delaware	807	1955	48.3	Coast	328	8.7	2	1.812	26.79	4053	67.8	12.2
Montana	909	145556	56.1	Canada	411	10.9	28.8	91.01	26.23	3689	25.9	28.1
Idaho	1341	82751	47.2	Canada	488	7.7	62.7	24.52	26.44	3133	46.7	19.7
New Hampshire	1275	8969	43.3	Coast	567	19.6	12.8	7.36	30.81	2322	44.6	14.6
Maine	1294	30865	67.3	Coast	647	11.8	1	29.103	28.07	2688	24.6	15.6

State	Gov1	Gov2	Inc	Dep	Tax	EFNA	Job	Land	Pres	Gun	Gov3	NEA
Wyoming	13.4	9.4	37.9	1.06	8.5	7.3	36.3	10	69.9	9.7	19.8	1.16
Alaska	19.1	9.7	51.6	1.91	5.5	6.1	47.80	10	59.8	11	19.1	2.15
N. Dakota	14.4	9.1	34.6	2.07	9.8	6.3	34.3(*)	10	61.0	8.7	16.8	1.41
Vermont	13.0	9.7	40.9	1.13	10.1	6.8	34.4	0	41.4	10.5	12.3	1.46
S. Dakota	12.7	8.3	35.3	1.61	8.5	8.1	61.6	10	60.8	7.5	15.3	0.86
Delaware	9.2	6.9	47.4	.85	7.3	8.4	61.6	0	42.2	7	11.5	1.16
Montana	16.5	10.8	33.0	1.67	9.1	6.2	92.5	10	59.1	9.7	16.0	1.57
Idaho	13.1	9.5	37.6	1.31	10.2	6.7	158.7	6.7	68.2	9.7	15.8	0.84
N. Hampshire	7.7	6.2	49.5	.66	6.6	8	109.4	3.3	48.6	10	11.4	0.84
Maine	14.1	9.8	37.2	1.34	12.2	6.3	56.4	3.3	44.5	9.7	12.6	1.42

Historical Purposes

Analyzing the Freedom Orientation of Existing State Populations

By "Tennyson"

Rank the States on Your Own Criteria

State Reports

(See also: State Data)

State Comparison Reports

Old/obsolete reports

Alaska Report

by Joseph Littlejohn

State Data

See also: State Reports

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DATA

Rankings

Low Number of Voters ("Vot" variable)

Low Federal Dependence ("Dep" variable)

Strong Projected Jobs Growth ("Job" variable)

Geography ("Geo" variable)

Low Campaign Expenditures ("Fin" variable)

High Votes for Conservative and Libertarian Presidential Candidates ("Pres" variable)

Low State and Local Taxes ("Tax" variable)

Lack of Statewide Land-Use Planning ("Land" variable)

Low Crime Rates ("Crm" variable)

More Gun Freedom ("Gun" variable)

Smaller State & Local Government Sector ("Gov2" variable)

Low Level of City Urbanization ("UrbA" variable)

Livability Ranking ("Liv" variable)

Low Percentage of Residents Born in State ("Ins" variable)

Low Percentage of Government Employees ("Gov3" variable)

Low Percentage of NEA/AFT Members ("NEA" variable)

More Economic Freedom ("EFNA" variable)

More Private and Locally Owned Land ("PLand" variable)

Escape to New Hampshire Getaway Week

Past Poll Results

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