Parallels exist between Alaska's budget crisis and the similar crisis in the Federal budget. The Administration's proposed cuts in Federal programs (the NEA, Public Radio etc.) resemble calls in Alaska to cut more in State government. Nationally, we have massive debt and annual spending deficits that just continue to grow. Sound familiar? These proposed cuts in the Federal budget amount to peanuts. In Alaska, credible sources estimate that firing every State employee tomorrow would save about 750 million a year. The State would still have a deficit of what, 3 billion? Of course it's fantasy to even consider such a construct - no troopers, no highway maintenance, no public services at all. Get real.

On both the State and federal level, where is the real money that contributes the most to debt and budget deficits? Nationally, that big money is in defense, interest on the debt and entitlement programs. In Alaska, after eliminating State government, where is the big money to pay the 3B?