David Frum points out the former Governor’s hypocrisy:
Sarah Palin’s most notable achievement as governor of Alaska was to increase the payout from the state’s energy tax take by $1200 per resident. Isn’t it odd then that she would use her farewell address to warn against the danger of government handouts?
Frum is dishonestly mixing terms. A handout – in the Palin vernacular – is a government stipend on which people rely unfairly and consistently…”welfare” money in the broadest sense.
Palin’s energy payout is akin to a rebate. It was designed to put money back into people’s pockets, not give them money that they didn’t earn.
It’s all still government largess being dolled out. One of the unspoken reasons for Palin’s high popularity before her quixotic ‘08 VP run was due to her dolling out more cash to Alaskans.
It’s also ironic that Palin would warn against government aid when Alaska has historically been the number one recipient of pork from Washington.
I still think you and Frum are overgeneralizing. All government (state or federal) money is not equal.