Reality is limited by the constructs people have based on their life experiences.  The impasse in Juneau is centered on - dividends vs. income taxes.  That is, are we going to tax the income of those who create it in order to pay a dividend?  But it's not that simple.  Alaska has a large population of people who live a subsistence lifestyle below poverty levels.  The dividend means much more to this population than folks living in Anchorage making say $50,000/year.  Federal and state policies have enabled and subsidized this subsistence population.  New reality option:  carve out $7 billion from Perm Fund and name it the "Alaska Subsistence Welfare Fund" to pay $1250/year to Alaska natives who live at poverty levels in villages. Drop dividend payments to everyone else and use the remainder of the Perm Fund to run the state.  People who earn a living don't need a dividend and should not be taxed to pay one to others who don't need it.