My last diary sparked a bit of hope for me. I proposed the tall order of getting thousands of people to move to Alaska to save the world. You know, basic stuff. Most of that diary was about the WHY of the matter. The comments were hopeful, if recognizing the obvious challenge. But the highly scientific poll showed something interesting:
More than half the respondents actually answered Yes, they would Occupy Alaska. I wasn’t expecting that- I was hoping for a few hardy souls to vote yes, and just look at that landslide. :)
What is this about Occupying Alaska? It’s about laying our own claim to the biggest state in the nation. It’s about preserving a place with more square miles of sensitive ecosystem than half of the rest of the nation. It’s about recognizing that saving our climate will require winning this political struggle in the Senate, and that the easiest red state to flip (by a wide margin) is Alaska. There are so few people here, that a mere 20,000 voters could hand us two more Senators. One medium size town of progressive voters could flip this state, end the filibuster, and pass the Green New Deal.
The first big question is- would 20,000 people actually move to Alaska to change the course of history? In a country of 320 million, I think it’s possible. The stakes of winning the Senate keep going up. Here’s a big win, just sitting here, waiting for us to claim it.
So, Alaska. It’s a huge, huge state. It’s bigger than Texas + California + Montana. It’s sparsely populated. Let me put that another way: there are 1.9 square miles of land for each voter from 2020. (vs only 0.006 square miles of land per voter in New York State.)
Do you care about the environment, and do you want your vote to represent as much environment as possible? Want to end aerial wolf hunting? Then get on up here and vote!
40% of the state population lives in Anchorage, which is the only truly large city in the state. So, if you are moving here and looking to stay in contact with modern conveniences and city life Anchorage is your obvious choice. Anchorage has the advantage of being a port city surrounded by beautiful mountains. Being near the sea, and toward the south, it has a more moderate climate than northern Arctic regions.
Does Alaska give you free money to live here? YES!
Known as the Permanent Fund Dividend, Alaskans receive payments of roughly $1,000 per year as a dividend from invested oil revenue. That helps to offset high utility costs and other higher living expenses. I particularly like the flat dividend payment since it is so helpful to those at the lower end of the economic scale. While America is just starting to debate the idea of guaranteed income (UBI), Alaska has been actively running a guaranteed income program since 1980. It works and it’s popular. Want to see an intense political battle? Witness the state government debate each year how large the dividend should be. Quickest way to get elected governor = promise a $5,000 check to each resident. Quickest way to risk a recall = deliver a $1,000 check after that promise.
What should I bring with me?
Warm clothes, for starters. Don’t overthink it though- we have plenty of stores here and Amazon delivers just like down south. It’s expensive to ship things, so leave most your large stuff behind. You don’t have to worry too much about impressing the neighbors with your fashion and mid century modern furniture.
What kinds of jobs are there?
Have a peek at Indeed. There are over 4,000 jobs available in Anchorage right now.
Many are blue collar or administrative. Relatively few are tech jobs. You may find in many positions that the local competition is not as tough as in other major cities. Positions you might not qualify for in a more competitive market are more reachable here. It’s a great way to jump up the promotion/responsibility ladder. That new title and experience will follow you back down south someday.
What about housing?
Anchorage, like many US cities, has an affordable housing shortage. What that means here is a little different though. Houses are available at prices far below most of the west coast.
Here’s a peek at houses available for under 350k, which was the median US home price last month.
Quite a few options! Compare that to Seattle, where not a single house is for sale at that price.
The rental market is a bit tight. “For Alaska”. Expect to pay 2k for a 1500 square foot, 2 bedroom, 2 bath townhouse. That seems like a lot to me, but compared to many cities that is a downright bargain.
What is the worst part?
Easy call- managing the cold and dark winter. It’s the reason Alaska is not populated like California. You have to be willing to make the best of the winter. Those 8 weeks or so around the winter solstice really can be trying. Just know that the payoff is that glorious summer. If you enjoy skiing, ice skating, hockey, snow shoeing or the like you can find ways to enjoy winter right through the darkest moments. Plus there’s always a chance of the northern lights putting on a show.
What is the best part?
You mean, besides having the biggest voting impact possible? I’d say it’s connecting with nature. Nature here is a force. Just experiencing the turning of each season is intense. The deep blue of glacier ice, the chance to see a stream choked with salmon, or a moose a dozen feet away (possibly eating your entire garden in minutes). Bucket-list parks like Denali are a day’s drive away, and locals can visit when the tourists are gone. Thompson Pass may have the greatest skiing on the entire planet. While the lower 48 finds campgrounds completely booked with huge lines of cars, it is still possible to leave humanity behind up here and walk into the wilderness.
What are the people like?
This one is harder to answer. There are a huge variety of people here. Lots of hunters and fishers, a significant Native Alaskan population, some people who moved here to escape society, and lots more who came for the beauty and wildness. Politically the right has the upper hand, but the left is determined- just outnumbered somewhat.
60% of residents moved here from a different state. That’s got to be higher than any other state. Given that 18% of residents are Native Alaskan, that would seem to mean that almost 3 out of 4 non Native residents are from another place. Any random group of people might be made up of people from all over the US. This also means that an influx of people from down south will blend right in to the mix.
People here care for their neighbors and are quick to lend a hand.
How about culture?
Alaskans are independent, strong people. Fashion is decidedly blue collar and casual. Alaska has only been a state for 62 years, so there isn’t a long western history. This place is crying out for more artists and musicians and creative folks.
Native Alaskan culture was heavily impacted by contact with Russian fur hunters and subsequent waves of settlers. As in other places, their communities suffered huge losses along with forced attempts at integration. Still, the true culture of Alaska undoubtedly still lies with Native communities across the state. I am not an expert and can’t speak with any authority on these matters, but want to recognize that American western culture is not the only culture that exists or is important here.
Anchorage itself is mostly represented by Democrats and voted for Biden over Trump. This is a city with lots of potential and a spirit to buck the overall political current.
Will my vote matter?
Alone? Probably not. But together, it most certainly will.
Here’s an example. The Anchorage Assembly currently features an actual Nazi (Jamie Allard) who won her right wing district by 1500 votes. She faced outrage after defending custom license plates that read “FUHRER” and “3REICH” as freedom of speech.
Allard made comments on Facebook arguing that both “fuhrer” and “reich” are simply German words with no offensive connotation. Saying she was defending free speech, Allard wrote on Facebook that “progressives have put a spin on it and created their own definition.”
Even our Republican governor decided that was a bit over the line and removed her from the Human Rights Commission. I’m sure she’s heartbroken. She’s also declared her reelection candidacy.
I’d recommend the first hundred people move to District 2 (aka Eagle River) and help stop this particular Nazi. Some people will probably find her comments unacceptable and that margin will surely be closer. How much closer is anyone’s guess. I’m sure even a few hundred people might make the difference and get rid of the hardest right wing voice that is literally plaguing the assembly right now. I’ll let you imagine her helpful input on masks and immigrants. Every district in the city may be up for grabs due to reapportionment in April 2022.
Strategy
I think flipping Alaska will require consolidating our control of the biggest city in the state. Dems have the edge already, and it’s a good place to keep building strength. If it was my call, that Eagle River district would be the very spot to focus on. Prove that strategic political relocation can decide an election on a district scale, which can boost a city, which can flip a state. One more state would change the world.
We don’t need everyone to agree with this strategy, or to take part. We just need a tiny fraction of motivated people to decide this is the biggest impact they can make. No donations needed or asked for. Just a vote- in the most strategic place.
"Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it," Archimedes reportedly said, "and I shall move the world."
That fulcrum is here right outside my front door. I need a little help with the lever, friends.
Next diary — getting organized...