American voters would rather see lawmakers cut government spending than increase taxes, but new poll results show the cuts voters want would have little effect on the nation’s $33.17 trillion in debt.
The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll, conducted in conjunction with Noble Predictive Insights, found that 65% of registered voters would opt to cut federal spending to address the growing deficit. Only 14% would rather increase taxes than cut spending. The rest were either unsure or wanted to deal with the deficit in the future.
Of the registered voters who favor spending cuts, 75% would cut services for people in the U.S. illegally, 55% would cut diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, 32% would cut environmental protections, 23% would cut transportation spending and 23% would cut social safety net programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. The poll surveyed likely and registered voters. Non-citizens, including permanent legal residents, cannot vote in federal, state, and most local elections.
“American citizens tend to think that the government should spend money on American citizens,” said David Byler, chief of research at Noble Predictive Insights. “So the percentage of Americans who are willing to spend on foreign aid or on undocumented migrants is going to be low.”
Some 6% of registered voters would cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. About 12% would cut health care spending other than Medicare and Medicaid, and 21% would cut spending on national defense and the military.
You can clearly see in the polling why there’s such a logjam in Washington on this,” Byler said. “Because people say they want to cut spending, but say ‘hey, don’t cut spending in any of the areas that are the biggest expenditures.'”
About 51% of annual federal spending in fiscal year 2023 was for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The biggest drivers of the national deficit are spending on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other entitlement programs.
“There is a little bit of a chicken and egg situation happening here,” Byler said. “People wonder, why is it that Congress can’t rein in spending and can’t cut the budget deficit and won’t cut entitlement programs? The reason is that their constituents don’t want that.”
Of the voters who want to raise taxes, most want the wealthy and corporations to pay more. Seventy-five percent of registered voters said they want people making more than $200,000 a year to pay more in taxes, and 69% said they want corporations to pay more in taxes. About 10% said they want individuals and businesses to pay more through a higher sales tax.
In 2020, America’s biggest corporations poured millions of dollars into Black Lives Matter while lecturing the country on its “systemic racism.” Now those same corporations are hypocritically mute over the murder of thousands of Israelis by Hamas terrorists. Woke CEOs made their bed—time for them to lie in it.
By HAYDEN LUDWIG | RESTORATION OF AMERICA
In 2020, America’s biggest corporations poured millions of dollars into Black Lives Matter while lecturing the country on its “systemic racism.” Now those same corporations are hypocritically mute over the murder of thousands of Israelis by Hamas terrorists. Woke CEOs made their bed—time for them to lie in it.
If silence is complicity, then much of corporate America is all-in for Hamas terrorism.
That’s the lesson we’re learning from Kohl’s, Miller, and other top Wisconsin companies which blasted America’s “systemic racism” following the death of George Floyd in May 2020.
Never mind that Floyd was an opioid abuser with a criminal record (recall that he tried to pass a counterfeit bill the night of his death). Or, according to a media-suppressed coroner report, that he had a “fatal level” of fentanyl in his body at the time of his death.
For “woke” corporations, Floyd’s sad death was yet one more example of “police brutality” and “white supremacy”—and they made sure everyone knew it by backing Black Lives Matter riots across America’s cities. Their motto: If you aren’t with us, you’re against us.
Fast forward to November 2023, and these same virtue-signaling CEOs are still deafeningly silent on Hamas’ savage war against 1,300 Israeli women, children, and unarmed civilians, which broke out nearly a month ago. We know because we have it in writing.
It’s too late for activist CEOs to walk back their commitments to the same Black Lives Matter activists supporting Hamas terrorism—silence is violence, remember? It’s up to everyday Americans to punish these “woke” corporations for shoving the far Left’s social agenda down their throats.
Miller Brewing
“Racism, inequity, injustice, [and] disenfranchisement cannot be supported, tolerated, or ignored,” the beer giant Molson Coors, which owns Miller, tweeted in June 2020. Because of America’s “long history of collective failures,” it added, we’re pledging $1.5 million to “support organizations dedicated to equality, empowerment, justice and community building.”
They called it “Project Justice”: A response to “the civil unrest” (translation: violent Black Lives Matter riots) and “rising injustices facing BIPOC (AAPI, Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American/Indigenous) communities” by promoting “social justice.”
One of those recipients was UnidosUS, a Latino racial nationalist group founded as the National Council of La Raza—“the race.” UnidosUS—which endorsed Joe Biden for president in 2020—was one of the most aggressive lobbyists for President Obama’s Dreamer program for illegal aliens, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
In fact, there aren’t many leftist campaigns UnidosUS doesn’t support, including Black Lives Matter, Ketanji Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation, and the fentanyl and potential terrorists pouring across America’s wide-open southern border.
In May 2023, UnidosUS attacked House Republicans as “anti-immigrant” for trying to stop the flow of millions of illegal aliens across the U.S.-Mexico border. Why? Because the group wants these millions granted citizenship and voting rights.
How bankrolling a far-left, Latino supremacist group helps black Americans is a mystery.
But what’s clear is that Jews in America and Israel shouldn’t expect any such support from Miller Brewing. As of writing, the “Champagne of Beers” brewer has remained completely silent on Hamas terrorists. Do Jewish Lives Matter?
SC Johnson
“Racism and discrimination are egregious, global issues that devastate individuals, their families and communities. We have absolutely zero tolerance for racism or discrimination in any form,” wrote SC Johnson, the Racine-based cleaning supplies manufacturer, in June 2020. “There is simply no place for it at SC Johnson, or in the world.”
The company spent the next 800 words bragging about its deep commitment to “diversity” (per the radical LGBT Human Rights Campaign), feminism, and “respect [for] the dignity of each person as a human being” by funding the Racine NAACP.
On Hamas? Crickets. Not even a statement condemning a far-left professor at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business for praising Hamas’ fight “for life, dignity, and freedom” against Israeli “colonization, imperialism, capitalism, white supremacy, [for] which the United States is the model.”
Where is SC Johnson’s commitment to ending anti-Semitism? You’d be forgiven for thinking that the company too afraid of criticizing its anti-Semitic allies to bother.
Kohl’s
Less than a week after George Floyd’s death, Kohl’s CEO Michelle Gass released an 850-word statement to all 97,000 employees informing them that “I have thought about little else other than the tragic events that were ignited by the horrific death of George Floyd in Minneapolis—a loss of human life that on every level was senseless and beyond comprehension,” “fueled by a history of the pain that comes from racism, discrimination and injustice.”
She hit all the approved leftist buzzwords: “We cannot operate as a civilized society when parts of our population feel marginalized, victimized or targeted just for who they are,” Gass added, before bragging about Kohl’s “diversity and inclusion efforts” and commitment to “economic empowerment.”
“We are a country in crisis,” Gass concluded. “We need to heal together by uniting to restore peace and calm, and creating space for real dialogue and solutions.”
Where’s the solidarity for unarmed Israelis defending themselves against Islamic terrorists?
If you’re expecting a strongly worded statement from Kohl’s on the hatred and discrimination fueling Palestinian genocide of Israelis, don’t hold your breath. But the company will gladly tell you about its holiday deals and Black Friday sales.
Where’s Our Apology?
We’ve revealed the same hypocrisy from Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, Home Depot, and other major companies that used Floyd’s death as an opportunity to attack the “racist” country that made their free market success possible.
Remember that no one in normal America asked these companies to weigh in on controversial political issues. They did it anyway in the belief that punishing conservatives would curry favor with radicals in the Democratic Party. Those aware of history will recall that many top German companies like AEG, Siemens, and Porsche were equally quick to lick the Third Reich’s boots and avoid government punishment.
Hamas mass murderers exposed the Democrats’ deep-seated evil to a stunned American public. It also sent these weaselly CEOs scrambling for cover.
Instead of trying to hide and hope we forget your assault on our nation’s liberties, here’s a better idea: Apologize to the American people for insulting them as bigots, painting our country as a hotbed of racism, and supporting totalitarian “progressives” who aim to abolish the Constitution altogether. Prove your patriotism, earn America’s forgiveness—and stay out of politics for good this time.
A Kenai man who was distraught about his life situation and his fear of being homeless now has a warm place to live and food served to him three times a day — in jail.
Arther Graham, 46, threatened a senator believed by many to be Sen. Lisa Murkowski, writing to her in an email: “Until I get new information [redacted United States Senator], my plan is ima’ hunt you down, cut the flesh off your body and wear your skin like clothes. I’ll live inside of YOU [United States Senator 1].”
Threatening anyone in this manner is a crime, but threatening a U.S. senator in this manner is a federal felony.
Graham continued in his email to the senator, explaining his predicament, “I may as well because I ain’t got nowhere else to live. The bank is taking my parents’ house. When I inherit my mom’s municipal bonds, I’m going to use them as kindling to start my homeless-person campfire, when I inevitably become a homeless person like I was when I was a little boy.”
The FBI came calling after tracking down his computer’s IP address, and arrested Graham, who admitted he had written the email.
“He admitted that he had stated in his email to United States Senator 1 that he would take her flesh off, use it as a coat, and live inside of her.” the document stated.
Graham made his first court appearance on Friday, has a detention hearing set for Thursday, could face five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He is currently housed at the Anchorage Correctional Complex, charged with using interstate communications with a threat to kidnap and injure in violation of 18 U.S.C. §875(c). If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Graham has a history of mental health disorders, as evidenced on his court records with the State of Alaska. He had a 2008 conviction for Assault in the 3rd and 4th Degree, and was required to get mental health help by the court, and to submit proof he had complied. In March of 2023, he was arrested for criminal mischief and pleaded guilty.
The headlines are bad for Biden. When a liberal news outlet like Politicoblasts: “Six warning signs for Biden in new battleground state poll,” followed by a sub-headline, “The toplines are bad for Biden. What’s buried deeper in the poll might be worse,” then you know the president is in trouble with voters.
According to polling just released, Biden is losing four of the six battleground states, and tying Trump in one.
“When a pollster releases new data in six key battleground states, and the incumbent is losing in four of them, it’s hard to narrow down the list of warning signs to just a handful,” Politico wrote on Sunday.
The resultsfrom The New York Times and Siena College, released to coincide with the Nov. 5 start of the presidential calendar year for the 2024 General Election, show President Joe Biden is losing ground to former President Donald Trump.
Siena College polls are usually slightly favoring a Democrat outcome. In 2022, Siena predicted that Ron DeSantis would win reelection as governor of Florida by 11 points. He won by more than 19. Siena predicted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott would win reelection by 9 points; he won by nearly 11. Siena predicted Sen. Marco Rubio would win reelection by 8 points; he won by double that margin.
Thus, if Siena polls say Biden is in trouble, even the leftist-controlled media knows enough to pay attention.
In this poll, conducted in October in battleground swing states, Trump leads Biden in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, ties Biden in union-heavy Michigan and trails Biden in Wisconsin. These are six states that Trump lost in 2020. Trump leads Biden by at least 5 percentage points in four of the six battleground states, while Biden’s 2-percentage-point advantage in Wisconsin is within the margin of error.
Some takeaways:
41% think Biden is too old.
36% think Biden “has the mental sharpness to be an effective president.”
54% think Trump is mentally sharp enough to be president.
23% think the country is headed in the right direction.
43% of Democrats think the country is on the right track, and 42% think it’s on the wrong track.
Biden’s best demographic is the under-30 voter. In that group, Biden leads Trump 50% to 44%.
If one counts the olive press and the grape (or wine) press, we can find 75 inventions by Israelis that have changed the world. Here they are:
Kibbutz – 1909: Kibbutz Degania was the first of hundreds of collective settlements founded by idealistic pioneers 2. Zaksenberg juicer – 1928: Iconic citrus juicer invented by Yitzhak Zaksenberg Wonder Pot – 1930s: Once-popular aluminum pot for baking on a gas stove 3. Krav Maga – 1948: Military self-defense system developed for the IDF and used around the world 4. Uzi – 1954: Submachine gun that was one of the first weapons to use a telescoping bolt design 5. Feldenkrais Method – 1954: Type of exercise therapy devised by Moshe Feldenkrais that claims to improve body movement and psychological state 6. Sussita – 1960: Fiberglass-shelled cars that were popular in Israel during the 1960s and 1970s
7. Bamba – 1964: Iconic peanut-butter-flavored snack made by Osem 8. Drip irrigation – 1965: Israel’s mega contribution to global agriculture Cherry tomatoes – 1973: Israel’s mega contribution to global agriculture after drip irrigation 9. Rav Bariach – 1973: The ultimate steel security door 10. RSA encryption – 1977: A public-key cryptosystem that is widely used for secure data transmission 11. 8088 processor – 1979: Revolutionary microprocessor developed by Intel in their Haifa lab 12. Interferon proteins – 1970s: Michel Revel of the Weizmann Institute of Science discovered that interferon communicates with cells via a receptor on the cell wall 13. Merkava tank – 1979: Main battle tank used by the IDF Ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation – 1980: Aaron Ciechanover, Avram Hershko and Irwin Rose won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this discovery Unmanned planes – 1981: First UAV developed by the Israel Aerospace Industries 14. Quasiperiodic crystals – 1982: Prof. Dan Schechtman from the Technion won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry 15. Taki – 1983: Popular card game developed by Haim Shafir 16. Dalkan – 1983: System for refueling company vehicles without a wallet Bio-Bee Biological pest control – 1984: Breakthrough by the company from Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu 17. Epilady – 1986: Cost effective, mess-free alternative to shaving and waxing for women around the world Differential cryptanalysis – late 1980s: Study of how differences in information input can affect the resultant difference at the output 18. Arrow (Hetz) – 1990: Effective anti-ballistic missile system 19. Babysense – 1992: Highly sensitive baby breathing monitor 20. Digital printing press – 1993: Revolutionary printing press invented by Benny Landa, founder of Indigo Digital Press 21. Firewall – 1993: Computer network security system 22. NIR heart stent – 1995: Life-saving medical device invented by Medinol’s Kobi and Judith Richter 23. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) – 1995: PC-to-phone software solution developed by VocalTec. 24. Copaxone – 1996: Teva’s groundbreaking drug for treating certain forms of multiple sclerosis 25. ICQ – 1996: Messaging platform that was a global hit at the time 26. Quicktionary – 1997: Portable scanning translators produced by Wizcom Technologies Ltd. 27. Babylon – 1997: Single-click computer translation, dictionary and information source utility program, by Amnon Ovadia 28. Gaga – 1998: Style of modern dance invented by Ohad Naharin 29. NDS VideoGuard – 1998: Conditional access for pay-TV 30. TDMoIP – 1998: Emulation of time-division multiplexing over a packet switched network, developed at RAD Data Communications 31. EyeQ chip – 1999: Mobileye’s custom accelerator processor chip 32. USB flash drive – 2000: Invented by Dov Moran 33. Exelon – 2000: Drug for treating mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s 34. PillCam – 2001: By Given Imaging, enables the visualization and detection of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract 35. Like-A-Fish – 2001: Innovative tankless diving gear 36. MyHeritage – 2003: Popular online genealogy platform with headquarters in Or Yehuda 37. Azilect – 2005: Drug for Parkinson’s disease developed at the Technion and commercialized by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries 38. 3G Solar – 2003: Low-cost alternative to silicon-based PV solar modules 39. Mazor Robotics’ Spine Assist – 2004: First robot approved for spinal surgery 40. Wix – 2006: Cloud-based web development services 41. Zenith Solar – 2007: Modular high-concentration photovoltaic system (HCPV) 42. Waze – 2008: The navigation app that helps drivers avoid traffic 43. BriefCam – 2008: Video-synopsis technology that lets viewers rapidly review and index original full-length video footage 44. Solaris Synergy – 2008: Environmentally friendly and economically beneficial way to float solar panels on water 45. Rosetta Genomics – 2008: MicroRNAs as effective biomarkers 46. Trophy – 2009: Rafael’s active protection system for armed vehicles 47. Gett – 2009: App that connects between customers and taxi drivers using its proprietary GPS system 48. ReWalk – 2010: Bionic walking assistance system that enables paraplegics to stand upright and walk 49. WeWork – 2010: Pioneers of shared work space 50. OrCam MyEye – 2010: Portable artificial vision device that allows the visually impaired to understand text and identify objects through audio feedback 51. Viber – 2010: Proprietary cross-platform instant messaging app for smartphones 52. WeCU Technologies – 2010: Technology able to identify people in real time 53. Wind Tulip – 2010: Cost-effective, silent wind turbine by Leviathan Energy, designed as an environmental sculpture 54. Iron Dome – 2011: Air defense system developed by Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries that intercepts short-range rockets and has saved innumerable lives 55. Moovit – 2011: App that uses crowdsourced and official public transit data to provide real time route planning for users of public transportation 56. Solar window – 2011: Developed by Pythagoras Solar, these windows combine energy efficiency, power generation and transparency 57. TraitUP – 2011: A new technology that enables the introduction of genetic materials into seeds without modifying their DNA, developed by Hebrew University scientists 58. 3D tethered particle motion system – 2011: 3D tracking of critical protein-DNA and protein-RNA cell interactions, developed by three Bar-Ilan University professors 59. GridON Keeper – 2011: Three-phase fault current limiter developed at Bar-Ilan University 60. HydroSpin – 2012: Unique internal pipe generator that supplies electricity for water monitoring and control systems in remote areas and sites without electricity 61. Elya Recycling – 2012: Innovative method for recycling plastic based on a specialized formulation of natural ingredients 62. Electric car – 2012: Better Place CEO Shai Agassi developed infrastructure for electric cars as an alternative to fossil fuel technology 63. TACount – 2012: Real-time microbiology that enables the detection of harmful microorganisms in a matter of minutes 64. Elbit Space Imaging Systems – 2017: A compact “space camera” 65. Judean date palm revival – 2020: Extinct cultivar restored by reviving an ancient seed 66. WatchPAT – 2020: The first FDA-approved portable diagnostic device for treating sleep apnea at home 67. GridON Keeper – 2011: Three-phase fault current limiter developed at Bar-Ilan University 68. HydroSpin – 2012: Unique internal pipe generator that supplies electricity for water monitoring and control systems in remote areas and sites without electricity 68. Elya Recycling – 2012: Innovative method for recycling plastic based on a specialized formulation of natural ingredients 69. Electric car – 2012: Better Place CEO Shai Agassi developed infrastructure for electric cars as an alternative to fossil fuel technology 70. TACount – 2012: Real-time microbiology that enables the detection of harmful microorganisms in a matter of minutes 71. Elbit Space Imaging Systems – 2017: A compact “space camera” 72. Judean date palm revival – 2020: Extinct cultivar restored by reviving an ancient seed 73. Azilect, a drug for Parkinson’s disease, by Moussa Youdim and John Finberg from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
74: Solar panels for heating water – 1955: The still ubiquitous dud shemesh harnesses the local climate to save electricity
75. Olive press and wine press: Ancient Israelis invented a way to extract oil from olives and juice from grapes
Important Palestinian inventions, according to answers from Quora and other sources:
1. Improvised cheap and disposable mortar and Kassam missile launchers
2. Al-Quds rocket used against Israel 3. Innovative use of party balloons for starting fires and burning crops of Israelis over the border of Gaza 4. Modern sling shots that are friendly to use, even for small children, against Israeli soldiers or civilian cars.
Along Airport Way in Fairbanks on Friday, four people held signs and shouted anti-Israel slogans, such as “Free Palestine,” a phrase also used by pro-Hamas terrorist supporters. such as Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
It wasn’t a big crowd, even though the temperate was balmy, but it was probably the farthest north and one of the smallest anti-Israel demonstrations in the nation.
The Free Palestine Movement is a Palestinian Syrian armed and violent movement led by businessman Yasser Qashlaq, who wants to send Jews, who he describes as “the dregs of European garbage,” from Israel “back” to Europe, even though nearly all Jews in Israel were born there, rather than in Europe. The movement calls for the establishment of a State of Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, with the eradication of the State of Israel and its people.
One participant wore a hat reminiscent of the Socialist Soviet Union, complete with a red insignia surrounded by gold.
On Nov. 5, 2024, Americans will elect a president, and that means in 365 days, either the Democrats will continue to steer the direction of the country, or the Republicans will take on what has become a nearly existential challenge of righting the ship of a torn and troubled United States.
Here are some key dates to keep in mind for the next few months:
Nov. 8, 2023:Third Republican presidential debate, in Miami. Hosted by NBC News and Salem Media.
Dec. 6, 2023: Fourth Republican debate, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Hosted by NBC News and Salem Media.
Jan. 15, 2024: Iowa Republican caucus.
Jan. 23, 2024: New Hampshire primary
Feb. 3, 2024: South Carolina Democrat primary
Feb. 8, 2024: Nevada and Virgin Islands Republican caucuses
Feb. 24, 2024: South Carolina Republican primary
Feb. 27, 2024: Michigan Republican and Democrat primary
March 2, 2024: Idaho and Missouri Republican caucuses
March 3, 2024: District of Columbia Republican primary
March 4, 2024: North Dakota Republican caucus
March 5, 2024: Super Tuesday for both parties including:
-North Carolina, Republican and Democrat primaries
-Oklahoma, Republican and Democrat primaries
-Tennessee, Republican and Democrat primaries
-Texas, Republican and Democrat primaries
-Utah, Republican and Democrat primaries
-Vermont, Republican and Democrat primaries
-Virginia, Republican and Democrat primaries
March 12, 2024: Georgia Republican and Democrat primaries, Hawaii Republican caucus, Mississippi Republican and Democrat primaries, Washington State Republican and Democrat primaries
March 19, 2024: Arizona, Florida Illinois, Kansas, Ohio Republican and Democrat primaries
March 23, 2024: Louisiana Republican and Democrat primaries, Missouri Democrat primary
April 2, 2024: Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin Republican and Democrat primaries
April 6, 2024: Alaska Democrat primary, also Hawaii and North Dakota Democrat primarie
Serious and pervasive human rights issues are taking place in Hong Kong against both residents and people with citizenship in other countries.
Take the case of Jimmy Lai, who escaped communist China to Hong Kong at the age of 12, and, although he has UK citizenship, remained to advocate for democracy. As a newspaper publisher, he now languishes in solitary confinement in a maximum security prison.
His and other instances of arbitrary arrest and detention prompted Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan to call for sanctions — and he has introduced legislation that would put sanctions on 49 of Hong Kong judiciary officials, from top judges to the justice secretary.
Sullivan, a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley of Oregon are co-chairs of the commission and are leading the bi-partisan effort.
The Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act holds officials of Hong Kong’s judiciary accountable for human rights violations and to support Hong Kongers facing persecution under Beijing’s National Security Law.” Hong Kong is in its third year of cracking down on freedom of speech, assembly, and the press, as its former self-governing status is buckling under the control of China. Hong Kong, which was released from being a colony of the United Kingdom in 1997, was set up at that time to be self-governing, under the “One Country, Two Systems,” principle granted to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Using the 2020 National Security Law, Hong Kong authorities increasingly prosecute people for loosely defined crimes, things that Americans would see as fundamental free-speech rights. Even more oppressive laws are coming next year.
The Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act requires the president to determine whether certain Hong Kong officials violated human rights and whether sanctions should be imposed in accordance with the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, or the Hong Kong Autonomy Act.
On the House side, three representatives — Young Kim of California, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, and John Curtis of Utah — introduced companion legislation.
“We all know Hong Kong’s judiciary isn’t the source of pride and independence it used to be,” said Sen. Sullivan. “Since the 2019 – 2020 crackdown, the judiciary in Hong Kong has become an instrument of the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] to target innocent civilians. My colleagues and I are introducing legislation to focus the Biden administration’s attention on this insidious aspect of the CCP’s takeover of Hong Kong and the regime’s flagrant violation of the civil rights and autonomy promised to Hong Kongers in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The Biden administration must let Beijing and their CCP lackeys in Hong Kong know that we are not fooled for a second.”
“Jimmy Lai’s case is unfortunately just the latest example of Beijing exploiting its ‘national security law’ to exert control of Hong Kongers,” said Congresswoman Young Kim, who serves as Chairwoman of the Indo-Pacific Subcommittee. “I am proud to lead the Hong Kong Sanctions Act so the United States can take strong, decisive action to support the freedom-loving people of Hong Kong and hold officials accountable in violation of human rights.”
China is Alaska’s largest export market, with product valued at more than $1.3 billion going from Alaska to China annually. Much of it is seafood. While significant, it’s lower than the record set in 2011, when Alaska exports to China reached nearly $1.5 billion.
“I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken*”
In 2015, Must Read Alaska was launched to provide conservatives a voice in a media landscape that had been taken over by leftist operatives.
Publisher and founder Suzanne Downing, who moved to Alaska in 1969 as a teenager, has been at the helm for the past eight years, growing it and maintaining a big-tent platform to offer the “other side of the story,” and an unapologetic space for Alaskans to balance out the mainstream media’s narratives and its left-leaning spin.
Continued growth and durability are important, and Must Read Alaska is now well positioned to expand its reach under a new management structure: Alaska Gold Communications is the owner, led by businessman Jon Faulkner of Homer, Alaska. The company has a board of directors, and Suzanne Downing has a seat on that board and will run the day-to-day content operations for the foreseeable future to ensure a smooth transition.
“Those who know me understand that I’ve always been mission-driven and dedicated to small government, pro-business, pro-family, and pro-freedom,” Downing said. “But it’s time to make sure this project is built to last, and Jon Faulkner is completely aligned with the mission. Alaska is very fortunate to have him agree to take it on and grow it to the next level.”
Faulkner was born and raised in Alaska, and has lived in Homer for most of his life. He graduated from Harvard cum laude and a dual BA degree in American History & Literature, writing his honors thesis on ANSCA and the impact of for-profit corporations on Alaska Natives. He returned to Alaska to start a family and business. He is the president of Land’s End Resort in Homer, and Home Port , a residential waterfront development at the mouth of Kenai River. Faulkner also worked in Prudhoe Bay, been a religious education teacher, a coach, is married, and is the father of five children.
“I’m incredibly pleased that I can report to the people who have supported Must Read Alaska all these years that you have created something that is here to stay. I have always felt the duty to Must Read Alaska supporters and underwriters to set this enterprise up for future generations of Alaskans,” Downing said. “And you can count on me to be a big part of it going forward, as we take it to the next level.”
On a personal note, Downing said, “My mother is now 94, and the runway is getting short for her. I am going to be spending more time in coming months at her side, ensuring that she taxies safely to the gates, and so now is the time to make this transition. Family comes first.”
Although some things will naturally change over time — and some new, exciting features are planned for Must Read Alaska — the core mission will remain — to provide a strong media alternative for Alaskans far into the future.
“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of making Must Read Alaska rock solid for Alaska. Thank you to everyone who has had my back these many years. I cannot begin to express my appreciation for every single Alaskan who invests in MRAK, and hope you’ll continue to support this project as we take it into the future,” Downing said. “Help us make this transition. It’s well worth the time and investment to keep it going.”
