Permafrost Friday: 40 Years of growing debt/doubt
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1969 - At age 4, I crash my sisters first day of school picture (as you can see my sister Peggy is not so pleased). The outstanding debt of the United States is $353 billion.
1973 - The television series "The Six Million Dollar Man" begins its five year run and Don Young runs for Alaska's lone seat in United States House of Representatives. The outstanding debt of the United States is $475 billion.
1975 - A time when every young Boston Red Sox fan imitated Carlton Fisk's dramatic World Series home run in their back yard. The outstanding debt of the United States is $533 billion.
1977 - A time when real boys played their hockey games outside on local rinks (because there was only one inside rink in Anchorage) regardless of the temperature. The oustanding debt of the United States is $698 billion.
1981 - A time when the only thing more important than working to make money to spend on my car, was washing my car after work. The outstanding debt of the United States is $997 billion.
1984 - A time when there was glacier still at Portage Glacier. The oustanding debt of the United States is $1.5 trillion.
1987 - A time when my daughter Lauren was still small enough to fall asleep on my lap. The outstanding debt of the United States is $2.6 trillion.
1989 - A time when a thousand points of light swept into the White House. The outstanding debt of the United States is $2.8 trillion.
1993 - A time when America looked to someone to feel their pain. The outstanding debt of the United States is $4.4 trillion.
1994 - A time when Martin Buser was King and Republicans, including Alaska Congressman Don Young swept into power in Washington D.C. after promising fiscal responsibility. The outstanding debt of the United States is $4.6 trillion.
1999 - A time when getting elected to the legislature meant $10 per barrel oil. The outstanding debt of the United States is $5.6 trillion.
2001 - A time when the promise of "compassionate conservatism" meant something. The outstanding debt of the United States is $5.8 trillion.
2004 - A time when "compassionate conservatism" was replaced with "big government conservatism." The outstanding debt of the United States is $7.3 trillion.
2005 - A time when Bill Allen was King and Congressman Don Young was Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. The outstanding debt of the United States is $8 trillion.
2006 - A time when Republicans in Washington D.C. were run out of office for ethics and financial mismanagement. While it took them 40 years to win a majority in the House of Representatives, it took them only 12 years to lose it. The outstanding debt of the United States is $9 trillion.
2008: A time when the electorate was looking for hope and change, gives Democrats wide majorities in the House and Senate and elects Barrack Obama as the 44th President. Immediately after the election, Alaska's lone Congressman is forced to resign his seniority for good, to avoid a vote of no confidence from fellow Republicans due to his ongoing ethics issues. The outstanding debt of the United States is $10.8 trillion.
2009 - A time when my grandson Wyatt turns two. The outstanding debt of the United States is now $11.9 trillion.
2010 - After 36 years, a time for a change?
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