Never in our history has there been such an onslaught on Alaskans by Outside interests that could care less about our state and our people.
It used to be that electing leaders to manage the state and to represent us nationally was what we did ourselves. And we managed that pretty well since becoming a state 55 years ago.
We have seen the steady strength of people such as Bob Bartlett, Ernest Gruening, Bill Egan, Jay Hammond, Wally Hickel, Ted Stevens, Arliss Sturgulewski, and others guide our state through economic difficulties and great achievements with constancy for Alaska. We know the character of public servants who understand Alaskans and who stand strong for our interests in Juneau and Washington, D.C.
This year, however, billionaires, corporations, and political organizations have paid tens of million for ads and mailings to control the nation by influencing our elections in Alaska. They just want power for themselves and their special interests.
The Alaska I know and love has never been for sale, and it must not be for sale this year!
I find the screed of lies and assertions they've thrown at Mark Begich to be outrageous, disgusting. Repeating these distortions over and over does not make them true.
I urge you not be influenced by the venom spewed by the Koch brothers, Karl Rove, or other outside interests.
This election is not about Barack Obama or Harry Reid. It's about Sen. Mark Begich and whether he should be reelected to represent us, Alaskans.
Begich is grounded in Alaska. He grew up in Anchorage, was educated in local schools, and held jobs and ran businesses here. He served several terms on the Assembly and was mayor for six years.
In just five years, Begich rapidly rose in Senate seniority. He secured seats on the important Veterans' Affairs, Indian Affairs, and the powerful Appropriations Committees. He chairs the Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard that is critical to Alaska's interests.
Through these positions and his willingness to work across the political aisle, Sen. Begich secured over $3 billion in infrastructure investment for Alaska, key permits for Arctic oil and gas development, and expansion of several Alaska mines, including Red Dog.
He blocked the Pentagon's move of F-16s from Eielson and secured two squadrons of F-35s for Alaska that will create over 3,000 jobs. He obtained local health services for veterans across the state and strengthened broadband capacity across Alaska.
Mark Begich is a good investment for Alaska to build the state's economy, infrastructure, and job opportunities.
Because Lisa Murkowski also serves on it, Begich's reelection will assure that Alaska will continue to have influence in the Senate Appropriations Committee, regardless of which political party is in control.
I support Mark Begich because he has earned my vote.
I believe Mark Begich is the right person to care for Alaska in the U.S. Senate.
Vic Fischer was a delegate to Alaska's Constitutional Convention, 1955-56.
The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, e-mail commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com