Issues Important to
Alaskans and the AIP
The Information below farther explains our stand on many of the issues in our platform and beyond. Feel free to ask questions or post comments to the AIP by email or in our forum.
Topics also mentioned in our platform:
Topics not mentioned in the platform (identified in RED):
All Alaska Gas Line
The AIP supports the All Alaska Gas line, AGIA - LNG project. It is a good plan and voted on by Alaskan's. It will serve to build the infrastructure necessary for in-state use of Alaska's gas resource before more of our resources are shipped elsewhere. It is a true building of Alaska first for Alaskan's first.Constitution
The AIP believes full compliance with the constitutions of the United States of America and the State of Alaska is necessary.
Today's Judges interpret what they want and it usually reflects their personal bias. We believe that the only way to effect full compliance is to read the documents and interpret them literally.
State's Rights
The AIP supports and defends 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.
The 10th Amendment to the US Constitution is the limitation of the federal government from infringing on what is the State's responsibility and what is theirs.
Individual rights: everybody has the right to be "stupid" and it is not the government's responsibility to protect us from ourselves.
Equal Footing means that all states are equal. Unfortunately, Alaska is treated as a colony and not an equal state in the union. Alaska is the only state where subsurface rights are owned by the government. It is also the only state where the federal government controls hunting and fishing.
Initiative & Referendum
The AIP supports the liberalization of initiative and referendum procedures to hold legislatures accountable to the will of the people.
Today it is very difficult to get a petition onto the ballot. The law makers in Juneau are placing more roadblocks in front of the people's initiative process. The present lieutenant governor, Fran Ulmer, has unilaterally held up petitions which were presented to be placed on the ballot, she has either delayed them or flat out rejected them because she disagrees with the process.
Instead of making it harder to vote on an issue, we should have an easier route to take it to the voters. As long as the capitol is in Juneau, away from the population, it will be difficult to regain control of our government.
State Constitutional Convention
The AIP supports the call for and convening of a State Constitutional Convention to address the flaws in the existing State Constitution.
The present constitution seems to be more of a charter than an actual constitution. It seems to be fluid document and the language has changed from one printing to the next without a vote of the people.
The biggest flaw we have in the present constitution is that it is a pure socialist document. Private property and individual rights are sacrificed to the collective government as a whole.
Property Rights & Homesteading
The AIP supports amending 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.
Alaska is the only state of the United States where landowners are prohibited from owning our subsurface rights.
99.7% of Alaska is owned by a government of some sort, be it Federal, State, Municipal, City, Borough or Native. What limited private property we hold has limited access.
Homesteading is the only reasonable way for the government to open the land to private ownership and development. Alaska had only limited homesteading programs which were discontinued years ago.
Property Taxes
The AIP supports a constitutional amendment abolishing and prohibiting all property taxes.
When a person pays property tax, the land owner never truly owns it. It can go back to the government for non payment of "rent."
A person buys an item once and should pay only one time for it.
When you buy an item in the store you never have to pay a continual tax for just the right to continue to possess it. Property should be the same way.
The AIP has been active in the collection of signatures for the property tax limitation which will be on November 2000 ballot. We thank Uwe Kalenka and his efforts and encourage Alaskans to vote to limit government.
Federal Land Ownership
The AIP seeks 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.
Alaska is almost entirely owned by the government. 99.7% of the state is owned by government. The federal government owns the majority of the land mass of Alaska.
Since statehood, The federal government has withdrawn areas greater than the size of Texas from development and disposal.
The federal constitution only authorizes certain uses for federally held land. Wilderness designation is not one of them.
The Alaskan Statehood Compact required the Federal Government to return the land it held to the state of Alaska and in turn her people. This has never happened.
Bureaucratic Regulations
The AIP wishes to prohibit all bureaucratic regulations and rulings purporting to have the effect of law, except that which shall be approved by the elected legislature.
Laws are enacted by the legislature AS. But when you need to deal with the bureaucracy, you see that what you have to obey is ACC "statutes."
The regulations were created by the unelected bureaucrats, reviewed by unelected bureaucrats, enforced by unelected bureaucrats, and imposed on the masses as LAW.
Regulations are not law and can't be enforced as law.
Secret Activities
The AIP opposes with rare exception, any secret activities or expenditures of funds of any government agency - state, federal or international.
An open book is what the AIP wants the government to be. We want the expenses and expenditures to be public.
Why does the government insist on operating in secret. The AIP believes this practice must stop.
Alaska PFD
The AIP wishes to preserve and protect the Alaska Permanent Fund, earnings, and individual Permanent Fund Dividends.
WE VOTED NO on Sept 15, 1999.
We supported the NO vote to make sure the legislature keeps their hands off the PFD.
Alaskan receive a PFD and a payoff because we are prohibited to own subsurface rights.
When the legislature continues to not understand the word NO it is time to change the legislature. Remember those who wish to steal your money, your kids money and grand kids money. Tell them it is time to find a new job.
Judges and Attorney General
The AIP supports the direct popular election of the attorney general, all judges, and magistrates.
Our constitution calls for the appointment of judges, magistrates and the AG - another one of the flaws in our constitution.
If the AG were elected, he would be responsible to the people. The Babbitt Suit would not have been dropped. The elected AG would have no choice but to stand up for Alaska or answer to the people of the state.
Judges and magistrates would have to be more responsible to the people. Rogue decisions by out of touch judges who can't be stopped will be remembered longer and the decisions will have to be defended in the court of the public.
Pedophilic judges will have no choice but to be accountable for their actions. Everyone remembers the one judge who we make inference to who chose to resign rather than become the object of a failure to retain election that we have now.
Roadways and Trails
The AIP supports the development of unrestricted, statewide, surface transportation and utility corridors as needed by the public or any individual.
We need access in Alaska. Almost the entire state is non accessible.
If Alaska is to develop our economy we have to have roads. With roads villages and communities will be able to expand their economies. Land can be developed. Jobs can be created.
When you look at the Rand McNally road atlas for Alaska ALL the roads are there. Most states and lands have secondary highways, Alaska does not. The last road which was built in Alaska was the Dalton Highway.
Hickel and Coghill tried to reopen the road to Cordova. The federal Government stopped this. (Cordova was the place of an Anti-Tax Protest in the early 1900s and could this be continual retribution against Cordova for the dumping way back when?
Land Access
The AIP supports Alaska affirms and asserts 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.
ROADS
Most highways and roads in the other states started as trails.
The federal government has stopped people from accessing their lands and properties over historical use trails. What we were able to drive to in years past now cant be accessed anymore.
RS2477 access roads are the beginning of our road system. Since most land here is owned by the federal government, the federal government can stop access and development in perpetuity by refusing to allow the trails to cross "their" land even though we as Alaskans have used these trails for years.
The road to Kantishna is one example of their arrogance and attempts to destroy private property in Alaska.
Almost every member of the Alaska Reclamation Crew who drove to Kantishna without Federal permits were members of the AIP.
Gun Rights/Control
The AIP supports the right of the individual to keep and bear arms.
Gun control is hitting your target.
Amendment II of the federal constitution and Article 1, section 19 of Alaska's Constitution does not limit who can own a firearm. It does not define what type of guns can be owned.
In Alaska's original Constitution, the INDIVIDUAL did not have the right to keep and bear arms.
The AIP was responsible in bringing the issue to the fore front getting this amendment which guarantees the INDIVIDUAL this right, passed and for stopping bad amendments from ever reaching the ballot.
A certain legislator introduced a bad amendment and thanks to AIP activists, he no longer holds public office and has retired from the political scene.
Gov't Immunity
The AIP supports the complete abolition of the concept of sovereign or governmental immunity, so as to restore accountability for public servants.
When a bureaucrat, government employee or elected official does you harm there is no recourse for the individual because they hide behind the concept of "sovereign immunity."
The AIP abhors this concept and believes that all are responsible for their actions. If they are acting as a government official they can't do you harm without taking responsibility.
If someone causes you direct harm you should be able to sue them individually regardless of their employment or position.
Education
The AIP supports 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.
Vouchers YES!
Education of the children is a parental responsibility and right.
The AIP believes that if you chose to educate your children in a non government school you should be able to receive a portion of the money that the state is required by its constitution.
As long as the state is required to pay to educate the children, the state has to obey the parent's choice if they choose to use a non-government school.
We must respect parental rights.
Privatization of Gov't Services
The AIP supports the privatization of government services.
When the government does something the cost is always higher than if the private sector provides the services.
In order to keep costs down the AIP believes we should privatize as much government services as possible.
Gov't Borrowing
The AIP opposes the borrowing of money by government for any purposes other than for capital improvements.
Why does the government need to borrow, just to operate day to day?
When an individual has a reduction in income he does whatever is necessary to live within his means.
The AIP believes the government has to obey the same concepts.
Bankruptcy should not be an option for government and it will occur as long as the legislature can outspend drunken sailors, (no offense to the navy!)
Family
The AIP supports strengthening the traditional family and support individual accountability without government interference or regulation.
Parents are responsible to raise their children.
The Government punishes parents for disciplining their kids. Abuse is a never ending threat.
The government punishes parents if they choose their child's curriculum if it is not administered in a government school.
Family values are what made this land great and when we lose them our land is lost.
The government has no business in telling you how to raise your child.
Jurors Rights
The AIP supports the right of jurors to judge the law as well as the facts, according to their conscience.
The jury has the most important vote of anyone.
It is a jurors right and responsibility to vote to acquit if they feel the law is unjust.
This is one of the greatest concepts of common law. A jury of your peers. Not a jury of government rubber stamps.
A judge's role is to be a referee. The jury is supposed to interpret the law.
Jobs
The AIP supports "Jobs for Alaskans...First!"
If you work in Alaska you should live in Alaska.
Alaska's number one export is our children.
Without jobs here it will continue to be our biggest export.
Only Private Enterprise creates wealth.
Only 17% of the labor force in Alaska works for private enterprise. You can not have a sustainable economy whereon works for the government.
Alaskans should have first crack at the good jobs here. We should not have to compete with people who do not live or love Alaska like we do.
Logging
Trees are a renewable resource. We can log without raping the land.
We can develop this Agricultural product and create new high end jobs here in Alaska.
If we were to finish our logs into timber products and finished good we can create more wealth here in Alaska.
If we just export raw logs we let others create wealth at Alaska's expense.
Mining
If it can't be grown it must be mined.
The AIP supports mining operations here in Alaska.
The small miner has been placed out of business by federal regulations and land lock ups.
Mining is a responsible way to develop and diversify our economy.
Fishing
The AIP supports Fishing!
More fish is caught in Alaskans waters than anywhere else in the United States.
Alaska must be able to control the resource in order to maintain and sustain a respectable and responsible yield.
Limited entry Commercial Fishing permits need to be returned to Alaska and either sold to Alaskans or just taken off the market.
Sport Fishing is an economic boom. When a King is caught on hook and line it brings more money into the economy than just placing a salmon steak on the market.
Commercial Fishing ventures which take almost all of the catch must respect the sport and personal use usage of Alaskan fish.
The AIP supported the fish initiative which would reserve up to 5% of the total catch to the individual sport and personal users.
Spawning grounds and escapement must be managed to maintain the best use of our Alaskan Fish.
Statehood
Please see the goal of the AIP.
Alaska has never been an equal state.
Feds create and enforce laws which are only in effect in Alaska.
Many in the AIP support INDEPENDENCE. Some support COMMONWEALTH and others support STATEHOOD.
It is the AIP's wish to get a true plebiscite according to international law, where only legal Alaskan citizens vote. The question on the ballot is in the language of the people. (Federal military and their dependents are not legal citizens and will not be allowed to vote in this plebiscite.)
Subsistence
The AIP supports subsistence. BUT Subsistence is more than just hunting and fishing.
Although aboriginal hunting and fishing rights were abolished by ANCSA. ANILCA is a federal law which basically reinstated these rights, contrary to Alaska's constitution.
Alaska's Constitution was adopted, ratified and in effect long before ANILCA was created.
ANILCA needs to conform with the Alaskan Constitution, not the other way around.
Regardless of what a law says or doesn't say, SUBSISTENCE hunting and fishing will take place. where ever there is a hungry man or woman, people will take fish or game to feed themselves.
The AIP will never support an effort to limit who can feed themselves and who can not.
A formal subsistence paper was adopted at the 2000 Convention.
Agriculture
The AIP supports agriculture and agricultural activities.
Alaska used to feed ourselves. Not anymore.
Federal regulations from the state department dated as far back as 1961 states that "Alaskan Agriculture shall never compete with lower 48 sources."
Alaska produces some of the largest veggies in the world. Yet our produce can not be found in lower 48 markets.
Potatoes, Cabbage, Squash, Berries, Lettuce, Carrots, Radishes to name a few grow well in our climate and should be encouraged.
Reindeer, and game ranching should also be encouraged. The AIP supports reindeer and game ranching for Alaskans regardless of the racist federal laws prohibiting it.
Federal Elections
The AIP has never supported a Presidential candidate.
We have been courted and requested by numerous candidates in the past who wish to use our party as a vehicle to get on the ballot. We are Not RENT A PARTY and will not support a candidate who treats us as such.
We have had candidates in the past who chose to run for US Congress and US Senator. The AIP has requested these individuals to run for a local ALASKA office.
Abortion
The AIP is now a prolife party, please visit the 2020 platform change. After fifty years of legalized abortion in Alaska, this failed experiment has not given us what it promised.
Any party that directs its citizens toward a more hopeful future should call for the protection of human life from conception to natural death.
Jones Act
The AIP supports the repeal of the Jones Act.
The Jones Act discriminates against Alaska and Hawaii in particular by requiring all shipment of goods into Alaska from US ports to use US flagged ships. This increases the cost of the delivered goods to us in Alaska.
The net effect of this law is that items originating from New York state can not use Canadian railroads to get here faster overland.
If it was coming by sea US ships are required causing an increase in the shipping costs.
Environment
The AIP supports the environment.
We live in Alaska. Because we live here we can not poison ourselves out of existence.
We are pragmatics. Development is necessary and our health is not for sale.
Even dogs don't defecate where they eat or sleep.
BP ARCO Merger
The AIP supports the lawsuits filed by Alaskans opposing this monopolistic take over of Alaskan resources.
The lawsuit text can be found at Backbone and we suggest you review it.
If the merger goes through, over 72% of Alaska's revenues will come from one source: BP. It is our position that Alaska should control Alaska not having the price of oil dictated to us by a foreign entity.
We are encouraged that even the FTC recognizes that this merger is BAD for Alaska.
Oil Export Ban
The AIP supports the exportation of Alaskan Oil to foreign states.
Alaskan North Slope crude was prohibited by federal law for exportation until recently.
It was the AIP who brought this discriminatory federal law to the Alaskan people. Alaska was singled out by this unconstitutional limitation.
The Oil Export ban has cost the people of Alaska Millions if not billions of dollars by forcing Alaska to receive below fair market value for our resource.
Property Tax Limitation Petition
The AIP supports the Property Tax Limitation Petition.
It was circulated by AIP members at the 1999 state fair and received as much support for this limitation on government as the Save the PFD effort.
Natural Resource Development
The AIP supports the development of our natural resources.
Preferential Voting
The AIP supports the concept of preferential voting.
In a multi-party system such as Alaska, where we have 6 parties, candidates win with a plurality not a majority. Very few candidates in Alaska are elected with even 45% of the vote let alone a clear majority.
The Preferential Voting petition allows for the voters to vote their conscience for their first choice. If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote the last place finisher will be knocked out and his votes are transferred to the voters second choice.
Alaskan voters are the real winner in this instance since we have 6 political parties. Voters are encouraged to vote and not disillusioned by "throwing away" their vote for voting for their candidate of choice.
