A reader writes:

Everyone is aware that grizzly bears are considered a threatened species in the lower-48 and are subject to Big Government protections, right?

In 1975, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the grizzly bear as a threatened species in the Lower 48 States under the Endangered Species Act, placing the species under federal protection. [...] In 1981, the Service hired a grizzly bear recovery coordinator to direct recovery efforts and to coordinate all agency efforts on research and management of grizzly bears in the lower 48 States.  Recovery of the grizzly bear covers four states and two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regions.

Another writes:

Self-sufficient my ass - Alaska is the greatest recipient of federal aid dollars on a per capita basis of any state in the country. I bet Sarah, Todd and all their brood sure don’t hesitate to cash those oil extrication checks when they get them in the mail.