It's election time. Why not vote for a change?

Spectrum, by Anne Kilkenny

Term limits the incumbents supported when your vote they first courted. Since they've been in Juneau they've all changed their tune, no? Isn't it long since time they were told they've passed their prime? Burma Shave.

Some incumbents are gone so much that they're simply out of touch. Kohring's bride lives Outside, while in a motor home he abides, plugged into the LIO when not on the go. He doesn't even own property in his district; so what does he care if his inaction causes property taxes to rise in reaction? Burma Shave.

Of their power the incumbents bragged while on CBM their feet they dragged. When our private property rights they ceded, "Buy back the leases!" we pleaded, but our cries went unheeded. Don't you think change is needed? Burma Shave.

Evergreen and Ogan are so-gone, but Kohring and Green who wrote and passed their bills, and other companies with big drills, are with us -- still. Electing people without CBM ties seems to me to be simply wise. Burma Shave.

Are you happy with the way they make decisions: with everything based on party divisions? Power brokers and back-room deals with lobbyists and other big wheels crushing democratic ideals. Without any debate the Legislature axes cruise-ship passenger head taxes. Behind closed doors they decide all scores. Whose opinion is heard: corporations or yours? Hasn't the time come to sweep clean the floors and show the incumbents out the doors? Burma Shave.

Ethics aren't a problem for them that ain't got 'em. Ogan's favorite song is "They Done Me Wrong." They think we're fools; they made special rules so Lyda Green could run when her paperwork wasn't done. Mr. Republican, Randy Ruedrich, is still party chair and the court said Loren Leman's ballot wording wasn't fair. We deserve better folks than these party blokes! Burma Shave.

Republican compassion is missing in action. They promised us budgets leaner, but gave us only cuts meaner. For helping us they're not keener, nor for anything that's greener. The seniors' longevity bonus was gutted, and our roads are potholed and rutted. Roads are not timely snow plowed, but Murky using the state ferry like a private yacht is allowed. Burma Shave.

Health insurance, legislators have got, and a retirement that's a lot, while one out of three Alaskans have naught. Legislators eat from the pot, but tell the rest of us, "Not." Doesn't that make you hot? Burma Shave.

Education funding is an annual issue. Kohring and Green were sittin' when the state formula was rewritten and Mat-Su's schools got badly bitten. "Don't ask," Green advises when the question of fixing it arises. Inflation-proofing is what's needed but this need goes unheeded by Gatto, Green, and Kohring spring after spring while they wring their hands in feigned concern. Instead, they take great pride in the Band-Aids they've supplied. As every good conservative knows, money is never the whole solution; it's time for a redistribution, for that we need a substitution of challengers for incumbents. Burma Shave.

To Conoco Philips and BP Republicans say, "Pump oil; it's free!" while to us they say, "If we ask them to pay, they'll say, 'no way.'" There's only so much oil under Alaska's cold soil, so let's not give it away, the Democrats say. Let's change the fee; fairness is key. Burma Shave.

It's time that we rose up in wrath, told incumbents that they're on the wrong path. Let's make a fiscal plan while we still can and save the check from fiscal wreck. We should say with insistence put it on the ballot -- along with subsistence.

Alaskans first, legislators should be: dedicated servants, tangle-free, working for the common good above partisanship they should listen, consult, cooperate, negotiate. November 2nd is the date, seven to eight, don't be late. Vote for a change for a change. Burma Shave.

Anne Kilkenny never got an A on a school writing assignment, can you tell? She lives in Wasilla and will vote for a change.