My fingers are bleeding from internet research!

First of all, I am not a Sarah Palin fan...there was just something in her initial appearance in Dayton that turned me off. In the days since, I have been non-stop researching various facts on her and her former political positions. So here are some facts I have gleaned:

Palin was elected as a councilperson in '92 and '95, a position which is considered the legislative body of the local government. All the ordinances and codes are crafted and voted upon by the council representatives. (Pay approx. $65K+/yr.) She was elected in '96 and re-elected in '99 as Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska (Pay $75K/yr), a position with the power and duties as follows:
Chapter 2.16.020 - The mayor is the chief administrator of the city, has the same powers and duties as those of a manager (which she hired in '96) under AS 29.20.005 and shall,

1) Preside @ council meetings. The mayor may take part in the discussion of matters before the council, but may not vote, except in the case of a tie;
2) Act as ceremonial head of the city;
3) Sign documents on behalf of the city;
4) Appoint, suspend or remove city employees and administrative officials, except as provided otherwise in AS Title 29 and the Wasilla Municipal Code;
5) Supervise the enforcement of city law and carry out the directives of city council;
6) Prepare & submit annual budget and capital improvement program for consideration by the council, and execute the budget & capital program as adopted;
7) Make monthly financial reports and other reports on city finances and operations as required by council;
8) Exercise legal custody over all real and personal property of the city;
9) Perform other duties required by law or by the council; and
10) Serve as personnel officer, unless the council authorizes the mayor to appoint a personnel officer.

Now, reality kicks in - in cities across the nation of comparable size, the mayor salaries are well below $10,000/yr. Job duties and requirements are comparable also. As an aside, I truly believe we should ALL head to Alaska where everyone appears to reap the benefits of BIG OIL!!! For example: in 2008, each and every resident received a check for $2000 as a dividend (another oil benefit) and Palin issued another "resource payment" of $1200 per individual. That is $3200 per!! Anyone packing their bags yet?? That means the Palin family received a whopping $22,400 for doing NOTHING!! I am checking Orbitz now.

She took a town of 7000 people that was debt free in 1996 and ran it over $18 million into debt. There are implications that she may have over-stepped her duties in this area which hints of misfeasance by either intimidating or misleading her council.

I am still working on some fact-finding regarding the status of $700K worth of office furniture in 2003 yet in '96 there was approximately $300K of office furniture. C'mon, give me a break. I have seen pictures of their Town Hall and as James Carville stated, "it looks like a bait shop from New Orleans."

I am sooooo tired of hearing that she has superior qualities to Obama when it comes to executive matters. Way overblown.

Of course she gave a rousing speech last night, if I had professionals writing for me, I guarantee the Republicans would be knocking down my door to run also. BTW, she made the comment that she "would be an advocate for mother's of special needs children" if making it to Washington, yet as Governor, she cut special needs programs by 62% - hmmmmm...go figure.

Too much to say at one time - but I love being able to vent. More later, no doubt.

"THE NICE PART ABOUT LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN - WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, SOMEONE ELSE DOES!" (Maxine, I think)