This is sooooooo off the mark. Makes it sound like Alaskans are spoiled, and we lack the skills to manage startups.

Sorry, Mr. Wohlforth, but here's my diagnosis for private sector's illness: TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT!
 
Have you tried to start a business lately? Sure, a business license is easy. Then try to hire a "temporary" or "day labor", Maybe piecework? Dept of Labor says "Can't do!" Against the law. Then try getting worker's comp insurance with no track record, or paying the premiums for same. Then a credit card processor with no credit history?. Maybe a bank loan without three layers of overlapping credit and personal guarantees. Thank Dodd-Frank for that. Then basic liability insurance. Oh, once you have these things, you get to complete against government's high wages and benefits; then against their subsidies of various enterprises; or maybe compete directly--if you're UBER, or a business seeking to compete with a government licensed enterprise. 

Just not worth it anymore!