Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, there was a young, popular mayor who wanted to become a Senator. Now, the current Senator was a living legend; a man who had done many great things for the people of his state.

But the living legend was no longer omnipotent. He was now covered with a great cloud of suspicion. There were whispers that the Senator had not been putting Alaskans first; that he had betrayed the people -- for money and power.

All the young mayor had to do, therefore, was to convince Alaskans that he would be an independent voice in Washington.

And that’s exactly what Mark Begich did.

(cue campaign commercial): “I’m Mark Begich, and being independent is big part of who we are in Alaska. Well we need that sort of independence in Washington again.”

(continuing commercial)

“Ill be a senator who works across party lines… And when my party’s wrong, I’ll stand up to them.”

(cue next commercial)

“Alaska families deserve a Senator who’s as independent as Alaska.”

Independence. The theme of Mayor Mark’s campaign. He was going to be his own man. For the people. And for Alaska.

Oh, what a difference a year makes.

Since being elected to office, Mr. Begich has forgotten Alaska. He has legislated as a party-line, left-wing, DC cog who marches firmly to the drumbeat of a Nevada politician.

Take the recent health debate -- a perfect opportunity for Begich to illustrate his Alaskan independence.

Did Begich vote as an “independent” Alaskan? Did he stand up to his party?

No, on both counts.

The only stance worth noting was Begich’s decision to cut off the speech of a Republican senator (see: great moments in Senate history)

In reality, Alaska’s junior senator is playing the puppet to Harry Reid. Those promises about “independence” and “standing up for Alaska,” are relics of a forgotten campaign.

Senator Begich, of course, claims that his health care vote was prompted by necessity, and not “party politics.”

Begich has framed the choice as either A) stay with the “status quo” or B) vote for the health care bill.

It’s not that simple. The truth is that no one, Republican or Democrat, denies that we need to reform health care. The question is how to bring down costs so that everyone can afford health care?

The health care bill that Mr. Begich voted for will have the opposite effect for Alaskans.

Here’s what UAA’s Institute of Social and Economic Research
had to say: “We think the health-care reform legislation passed in the House and introduced in the Senate could, as it stands, pose substantial risks for Alaska’s health-care system and economy.”

That’s not good.

According to the ISER, “increased taxes for new programs could fall more heavily on higher income states like Alaska.” In other words, Alaskans will soon be paying Prince-John-taxes -- all in the name of health care.

The ISER states that the bill could force health care officials to leave Alaska, due to the higher costs of retaining them. Fewer doctors equals longer lines.

The health care bill will devastate Alaska’s senior citizens. Already, only 17% of Anchorage primary care doctors accept new Medicare patients, due to Medicare’s low payments. According to the ISER, the new health care bill will only exacerbate the situation. Medicaid will be expanded and doctors will take Medicaid patients (which pays more to doctors) ahead of the Medicare patients.

Well, Grandma... I guess your only solution is to get younger -- or poorer…

To sum up: This health care bill is not just bad. It’s a nightmare.

But, I’m almost impressed that Begich had the audacity to toe the partisan line. His vote said everything: Party first, Alaska second.

I have a question for the Senator: Who do you represent, sir? Alaska, or yourself?

If you represent Alaska, then you need to represent the Alaskan people. We are against this bill (Dittman poll). And, as shown by the ISER, your health care bill will cripple Alaska’s fragile health care system.

A vote for the current health care bill is nothing less than a vote against the Alaskan people.

Mr. Begich, it’s time for you to fulfill your campaign promise; to become that “independent voice” who “votes against” the party when they’re “wrong.” To be a man who truly “puts Alaskan families first.”

Senator, it’s time for you stand up for Alaska.