There is an old joke about a certain southern state that will remain unnamed. According to the joke, the state has a new license plate motto that reads, “Ten million people, ten last names.” Here in Alaska, we have a Murkowski running against a Knowles, we have two Stevens, a Murkowski, a Young and a Begich in political office and I have to wonder. These are the same names I’ve heard for thirty years. Is Alaska the state of six hundred and fifty thousand people and six politicians? Do these families meet at some secret location and divy up the powerful political jobs in the state? Inquiring minds want to know.