Alaska-Corporate Welfare - No, Tool-Pusher is saying he was fine before the oil company ramp-down and is now struggling.  If you don't know anyone who is struggling (which means that probably they aren't telling you), then you live in an ivory tower or a bubble all your own.  Each person I've spoken with who drove the Al-Can this year saw lots of folks heading south with trailers full of their goods.  The small helping hand a full Permanent Fund Shareholders Dividend would have made a significant, if not life-style saving impact for a lot of people, especially families.