WA State Dems: Cut School Funding, Tax Beer and Candy

Washington State Democratic leadership has held the state hostage for 30 days of a special session in order to address the state budget crisis. After threats of 20% across the board cuts (wouldn't that be nice), and thirty days at a cost to the state of nearly $20,000 a day, the Democratic leadership seems to be passing a budget aimed at cutting funding for the most necessary functions of Government - schools and prisons, while placing nearly $800 Million in new taxes on beer, candy, services and bottled water.

Come November, however, the Republicans will be blamed for funding cuts to the schools - mark my words...

Let's take a look at my main points of contention with the approach the Democrats are taking.

First - the tax increases.

The tax on beer is not across the board. As a matter of fact, it targets low cost/high production beers... the type of beer most likely to be consumed by the working poor - the Coors Light, Rainier, PBR, Budweiser, etc. Exempt are the high-end micro brews, resulting in a tax exemption for the Seattlites who flock to microbreweries after a long day in the office. The tax is on the order of ten cents per can/bottle. A sizable expense to the poor, where every penny counts.

Tax increases were also directed at candy, soda, bottled water, and service businesses - directly hitting the working elements of our state. A tax boycott of candy, bottled water, and soda would directly impact the working distributors of those items, placing further pressure on the working families of this state!

Budget cuts -

There were cuts to the budget, to the tune of slightly more than the expected tax increases. However, these cuts were directed at universities, schools, and corrections. The very fundamentals of our state, and of the state's responsibility to support, were cut - leaving the health care and bloated state employee union wages untouched. The cut to K-12 education relies on the lottery funds to pick up the slack, a crutch that uses a supplemental fund as a primary source of funding... never a strong move. The cuts to universities and corrections further shows the disregard for the people of the state of Washington.

Democrats have, in putting forward this partisan budget, revealed their priorities and allegiances. They have placed special interest and state labor unions above the education of our next generation, and placed the burden of taxation on the hard workers of this state. Each and every representative or senator who is voting in favor of these horrendous budgetary changes needs to be reminded of their failures come November.

Where they refused to cut union wages, we will remember in November. Where they refused to back education, we will remember in November. Where they refused to represent the working poor, we will remember in November.

We will return the favor and refuse to cast our votes for them... and perhaps, by doing so, we can return the government of the State of Washington back to the people... the hard working people of this great state!

In need of good candidates

The loss of Deb Medina in Texas last night was a blow to the absolute 10th amendment movement as part of the "restructure" wing in the GOP. Medina was the best hope at placing pressure, true pressure on DC in order to advocate for state's rights and state's sovereignty from the US leviathan.

In light of her defeat, though she did a great job rallying supporters en masse, it is now time to look toward future primary races and in states where a balance of power can be tipped in favor not of political power but in leverage on DC to retreat to within its constitutional constraints.

I have a few individuals listed at the header of my blog, namely Craig Williams for US Senate in WA.

Are there any other candidates that my readers could recommend for my viewing pleasure? It would be great to take this time to focus on candidates and individual races ahead of the 2010 elections.

Thanks!

WA Governor to raise taxes $600 Million?

Democratic governor of the state of Washington is looking to raise taxes by $605 Million as a way to bridge the $2.8 Billion deficit. The tax is mainly aimed at oil products (gas), pollution, cigarettes, and 'junk food'.

The portion of the taxes aimed at oil products and pollution are being openly embraced by radical environmentalists, while businesses and job creating industry, such as refineries) are opposed to a tax that would drive up costs to operate and drive down the ability to employ workers.

The tax increases are a proposed offset to cutting social welfare programs from the state's budget - programs that are over budget and under-performing, yet hold a special place in the hearts of liberal special interests.

Gov. Gregoire and the democrats in the state legislature first must repeal the people's initiative, I-960, passed in 2007 stating that a 2/3 majority is required to raise taxes in the legislature. Luckily Republicans are successfully stalling the bill to undermine the people's will in the state house (it passed easily in the state senate).

Democrats seem to misunderstand the role of government, the dangers of state sponsored welfare, and the impact that taxation has on the economy. Gregoire and the team of WA Democrats have spent the last two decades driving up regulation and taxes to the point where businesses are leaving the region, taking essential tech and higher education jobs, and thus driving up unemployment and negatively impacting any hope of a rebound in the regional housing market. Their recipe is one of disaster.

What is the answer?

Smarter government. Leaner government. simpler government.

Reduce the size and complexity of the state government to the bare essentials - education, defense, infrastructure. Everything else is negotiable, and will be allowed only if it is a proven and cost effective program with positive societal results. We cannot simply employ the standard practice of 'budgetary increase' on an annual basis and without review. This leads to an extraordinary amount of waste! We must operate smarter!

Just like any business that is in financially hard times, it is sometimes necessary to lay off workers. Unless you are the Washington state government - in which case your idea of 'economic growth' is creating government jobs - and thus increasing government spending and state deficit! The government should evaluate the committees, the regulatory boards, and every individual on the state payroll - an audit that will examine just what and who needs to be cut. By cutting overhead costs, the leaner governmental body can operate smarter and faster.

During the downsizing of the regulatory boards it is necessary to ensure that one agency, a NECESSARY agency, is the surviving keeper of the remaining regulatory items. There is no viable reason for many boards to hold jurisdiction over the same issue or concern. Simplify the government, streamline the regulation, and create a more business friendly environment in the meantime.

Washington state is, much like many other states of the union, in a very bad place... mainly because the state governments have followed the examples of the 'other' Washington and grown/spent beyond their useful means. These trends must not simply be stopped, but reversed... returning this state to one of productivity, ingenuity, and innovative solutions for our unique habitat.

Do Overs?

When was the last time that you truly believed the words spoken by a politician? How soon after the promise did you find yourself broken hearted, and chalk it up to 'merely politics', only to promise yourself that in the future you would demand more out of your elected or campaigning leaders? There is one common theme in government, being that the truth is often hard to come by, and honesty is not priority...

A great example from Olympia, WA today, where the state senate Democrats put forth and voted on a bill, only to realize after the fact that they voted on the wrong version of their own bill - now they are asking for a "do-over"...

Voting on a bill without knowing which bill is on the floor - sounds like a derelict of duty to me... I wonder if the voters of Washington get a 'do-over' with a chance to recall each and every one of the 26 democrats who voted without having a clue as to what was on the floor...

Washington State Constutution Article 1 Section 33:

SECTION 33 RECALL OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS. Every elective public officer of the state of Washington expect [except] judges of courts of record is subject to recall and discharge by the legal voters of the state, or of the political subdivision of the state, from which he was elected whenever a petition demanding his recall, reciting that such officer has committed some act or acts of malfeasance or misfeasance while in office, or who has violated his oath of office.

Sounds like we could have a do-over if we wanted! Thank God the session ends in a few short weeks!

SOLID ENDORSEMENT - CRAIG WILLIAMS, US Senate, WA

As the field of GOP candidates for Washington's US Senate seat settles around half a dozen dozen dutiful citizens, it is with enthusiasm that I endorse Craig Williams as THE candidate to unseat Patty Murray. His insight into the current economic woes are superior to any adversary, conservative or otherwise, and his plan for fixing the federal government's addiction to spending is simple and effective: target Congress for reform and fire for effect! Mr. Williams is the voice of the people, and he WILL bring the fight to the floor of the Capitol. In 2010 the states have one responsibility above all others, and that is hiring representatives who know how to tighten the purse strings. This union cannot survive insurmountable debt, and Craig Williams is the only candidate in this race who gets it AND has a plan to fix it! Stand with me, stand for fiscal restraint, and STAND WITH CRAIG WILLIAMS - Your next Senator from the Great State of Washington.

- Steven M. Nielson, Fmr. Secretary of the Douglas County Republican Party, Douglas Co. Colorado; Political Blogger, Citizen.

(*And remember - every dollar counts in an election, and every one matters! You don't have to live in the state to donate)

Federal Court to WA State - "Imprisoned Felons have a RIGHT to Vote"

Just when you think that the Federal Government has gone too far, the Judicial Branch jumps into the spotlight with a whopper of a violation of state's rights. From the Associated Press:

OLYMPIA, Wash. —
A federal appeals court has ruled that imprisoned felons should be allowed to vote in Washington to ensure that racial minorities are protected under the Voting Rights Act.

Tuesday's 2-1 ruling by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the 2000 ruling of a district judge in Spokane. That judge had ruled that state law did not violate the act, and dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former prison inmate from Bellevue.

The two appellate judges ruled that disparities in the state's justice system "cannot be explained in race-neutral ways."

A spokeswoman says state Attorney General Rob McKenna is weighing the state's next step.

The protection of racial minorities is of more importance than the sanctity of elections, according to the 9th Circuit Clowns. Such a ruling is as intrusive into State's Rights as it is insane. An individual should not be barred from voting based on gender or skin tone, but there are multitudes of legal and justifiable reasons why free citizens would want to bar the most violent criminal minds from helping shape our society!

At this point, I need someone to remind me why we are not immediately instituting a policy of 'tar and feather' - and I am not referring to the felons!

As a devoted 10th amendment supporter, there is nothing that makes my skin crawl more than federal "leaders" meddling in state affairs - UNLESS it is the feds meddling in state ELECTIONS.

WA State Dems - 2010: 'tis the Decade of Taxation!

Happy New Year to you, my faithful readers and likeminded freedom lovers! After a week and a half of recharging the ole batteries, I reconnect to the newsfeed to get more of the same: Democrats in Washington State want to raise taxes…

Washington State Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire and her Democrat team of Flying Monkeys have run this state so far into the red that no 'gimmick' or federal bail-out is going to help them in 2010. Democrat special interests and big government spending have sunk the state deficit to $2.6 Billion through mid 2011.

Gregoire may not be up for re-election in '10, but her Democratic led State House will be placed into a tough spot in an election year - TAX INCREASES. We are not talking your run-of-the-mill Washington State Sales tax - We are talking the dirtiest of all taxes: State Income Tax - though a sales tax increase will be billed as the sensible alternative. In a state where sales tax already reaches into the 8.9% range, gas tax is pushing $0.40 per gallon, and businesses are taxed to death, one has to wonder why the Democrats, instead of cutting budget and living within fiscal restraint, figure that a recession is the perfect time to tax the people.

True to their nature, the Democrats have 'cut as much as we can cut' and are starting the legislative season selling the same old story of “gutting the education budget”, etc, to rally support for taxes – of course, think of the children. Liberal fear mongering at it's worst!

The reality of the matter is that this proposed tax is nothing more than our punishment for continually electing Democratic Majorities into the state house in Olympia. Time and again they spend beyond their means, and we are left footing a larger and larger bill. To what end?

Even if we see tax ‘cuts’ in certain areas as a way to appear ‘tax revenue neutral’, (other than the Billions they’re trying to overcome), there is no stopping the eliminated taxes from returning when Democrats spend us into another corner in the future – again I ask, TO WHAT END?

Instead of rolling up the sleeves and doing the dirty work, the easy answer is simply to take more money from the loyal subjects of the state of Washington. Unfortunately the trends are similar in every state and at the federal level: unrestrained spending, mortgaging the future for fruitless delusions. The Democrats understand nothing about sound fiscal judgment.

What is needed is a simple tax system, a series of protections against future spending and future tax increases, and a serious look at the regulatory structure of the State of Washington. We can get there by limiting government special welfare programs, consolidating regulatory agencies, and cutting the government size and payroll significantly. Cut the SIZE of the government to within the budgetary means, not increase revenue to feed the larger beast - What a Novel Concept!!

The leaders in our state, as well as our federal, governments should understand that economic and social prosperity comes not under the heavy burden of taxes and overregulation, rather under the encouragement of innovation and individual success. Another burdensome tax will merely deepen the underlying problem – Democratic State Spending!

Craig Williams for US Senate, WA State Candidate Review

On Saturday evening I attended a community grassroots event held by Craig Williams, an unknown name in Washington Politics but a great candidate nonetheless. Craig Williams has entered the race for US Senate from Washington State, in an attempt to unseat the two decade senator Patty "Mom in Tennis shoes" Murray, who will be running for her fourth term as US Senator.

I first learned of Williams when a blog reader informed me of the event and extended the invitation. Being the grassroots magnet that I am, I could not turn down the opportunity to meet the candidate on a personal level and grill him with some tough questions which have become the battle cry of my personal and political philosophy.

In the room that night were a handful of concerned citizens, ages ranging from 60+ and retired to 18-ish and in Junior College. There was, however, a concern held common by all in attendance - Liberty. The common theme of personal freedoms, state's rights, freedom from govt. health care, and economic liberties was a perfect tone set for Williams' "campaign plan" presentation. It seemed that most in the room were college educated, many of whom were current or retired military, intellects all... and Mr. Williams' presentation nailed his target audience - intelligent liberty minded grassroots activists aimed at unseating a big government liberal incumbent and replacing her with a liberty minded conservative.

He addressed his main focus point of the campaign, and backed it up with numbers. As 80% of the US public are naming the economy as their number one area of concern, Williams plans to run a campaign as a fiscal conservative.

Though I am concerned about the state of the economy, my first concern is that it is the style of politician and unregulated federal government that has caused such an economic collapse in the free market, not the free market failing of its own accord. As such, it was my intent to determine if Mr. Williams was a "more of the same" candidate, or if his understanding of liberty and the role of the federal government was one that would work to right the listing ship.

Mr Williams mentioned "nation" and the "federal government" in a manner that led me to question his understanding of the role of the federal government, and to fire a shot across his bow for effect regarding state's rights... which I had forewarned him of during our round-Robin introduction.

My first question roughly stated the lack of the "union of states" since the civil war, and a cause for concern as a national reach for power in the 20th century, and questioned what he saw his role as US Senator would be in correcting the perception of people vs. the government. He called on a religious text - the religious text of the United States - the gospel that is the US Constitution. He said that it is a wonder that the very same people who are hired to uphold the constitution are so quick to wipe their rears with it.

I followed on with a question regarding the federal deficit and federal budgets. We jointly acknowledged that Federal budgets on the order of 3 to 4 Trillion were a clear indicator of excessive government. I politely interrupted with a pointed question: "What is an appropriate budget number for the United State's Federal Government?" He mentioned 2 Trillion, and my response was "you think 2 Trillion is an appropriate amount to spend?" His response was interesting, in that he said that he sees his best course of action being to work within the bounds of the current system in an attempt to reduce excess first, namely targeting the "sacred cows". I am sure that his reluctance to declare massive faults and radical recalibration of the monetary system was to avoid being labelled as a "radical right-wing nut" by the socialist financial gluttons... and I don't bemoan him for this, rather I appreciate it. His general tone regarding the matter indicated a firm understanding of the points I was making, and his body language as well as careful responses hinted that he would be more inclined to shake things up once he takes office.

I pushed the envelope to truly vet this candidate. I wanted to ask some tough questions as this guy is asking for my vote. No more will I give my vote away so easily or freely.

With a cordial handshake, a smile, and a "no hard feelings" about the intensity of my interrogation, I felt like Craig Williams is a candidate that generally shares my view of liberty, state's rights, and the role of the government. He has laid out a great campaign plan and has a tough road ahead. There are currently 6 individuals filed to run as Republicans against Patty Murray in Washington State. With the new primary system in Washington state, Patty Murray will not need to run a primary campaign, leaving a dogfight on the Republican side of the ballot. As I have said a number of times, 2010 is going to be used as the sounding board for Republicans in how we want to redefine and reshape the conservative movement using a major political party. Who we pick in 2010 is vastly important considering what we have been fighting for since November 2008.

With this in mind I am willing to say that Craig Williams is a great candidate for Senate, and will do well as an RNC outsider. With the RNC showing little interest in this race due to an embedded incumbent, Williams has some political freedom to take the fight to Murray and earn recognition of the RNC and GOP Senatorial Committee - unlike the anointed Jane Norton in CO. I strongly recommend contacting Craig Williams' campaign: "If you have further questions or would like to host a meeting or social yourself, please contact my campaign manager Karen Osborne at
Campaign@VoteWilliams2010.com or 360.907.2593"

If there are other candidates that you would like me to review, please do not hesitate to contact me! I will ask the tough questions and ensure that we drive home the message of Liberty!

CA's Global Warming Laws ban... PIRATE of CARIBBEAN SHIP?!?

Washington State's "Lady Washington", the Pirate Ship featured in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and the Official State ship of Washington, has officially been banned from sailing in the waters of California's SF Bay area.

4,442 Square feet of wind power, green as it may be, was not enough to save this piece of living history from the grips of radical idealogs.

The reason? The Lady Washington also employs a 60 year old diesel engine which exceeds limits of emissions under California's clean air laws.

Nearly 100,000 visitors / tourists to the ship last winter, and taking 7,000 school children to sea under the power of the wind is not enough to save this not-for-profit venture. Now, unless the ship can come up with $100,000 to replace the dependable Korean War era engine with a newer "green" diesel, the Pirate Ship will forever be banned from the waters of California.

So much for dominant fire power... I guess Sacramento is slightly out of reach of those cannons... and reality.

Canceling the California voyages means no school trips, no tourist excursions and no ticket revenue for the nonprofit Grays Harbor Historic Seaport Authority, which depends on that income to keep the ship running.

Bolton acknowledges there is some irony in pollution laws that effectively ban a historic sailing ship, especially one with Hollywood credentials. But his response is somewhat philosophical.

"Government is supposed to treat everybody equally," he said. "And, when it comes to air pollution, what difference does it make if your vessel is carrying school kids or tourists?"

We risk losing this treasure all in the name of government lunacy. Let us hope that private funds can be raised to convert the ship's engines... lest we lose the ability to fund the basic upkeep of the ship, and lose a state treasure here in Washington!

Michigan Congressman blasts Healthcare - oldie but relevant

This video is from July, but it is coming to my attention today. Listen to the 4 minute blast this Michigan Congressman gives the health care proposals... listen carefully, then DONATE to this man. We need to identify the congressmen who "get it", like Joe Wilson, and support their campaigns, as well as candidates who are contesting ultra-liberal democrats across the nation.



Re-emphasizing what Rep Rogers says, the Congress is attempting to "give up" on American innovation... this is the best description I have heard to date on the ongoing struggle. And he clearly points out that this declared failure of the American innovator is THE CLEAR CHOICE OF DEMOCRATS... go get 'em, Rep Rogers!

h/t to West Sound Politics for linking the video, and to the 4.3 Million viewers on YouTube who have already seen this video and passed it on! We cannot all watch C-SPAN all of the time, so these videos are sometimes slow to spread... but the message needs to be heard.

George Washington on Iraq, the Economy, Politics, and Liberty

In his farewell address to the United States, George Washington published a series of thoughts and hopes for America as the nation embarked on it's great experiment of self government. His address was published on September 17th, 1796. In reading through the document, the reader is struck with all the intention of the founding of this nation - and the passion for liberty being the lifeblood of the free union of states. The first President makes some beautiful remarks - which I will share and expand on my thoughts of his opinion.

Philosophy on foreign wars / alliances: (i.e. Iraq, NATO, United Nations)
"Why quit our own [soil] to stand upon foreign ground?"
"Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all."
"The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is...to have with them as little political connexion [sic] as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop."
"It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world."

Inasmuch, the lessons of our forefathers, and the father of our country, warn that the tangling in permanent alliances and political connection to other nations is a direct affront to our sovereignty and liberty. Washington also details his stance of Neutrality in the continued wars in Europe, and the ideal that a Free American should question the intent of leaving free land to stand on foreign ground... George Washington would indicate that such a political war in Iraq, the policy of political influence throughout the world, and the authoritarian one-world ideals of our current government are not the "true policy" of the Federal Government. Washington understood that such alliances would unnecessarily pull the free citizens of the Untied States into wars that we would be better to avoid. He further suggests that “The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of nations has been the victim” of motives of foreign governments with which we find ourselves allied.

Observing good faith and justice towards all nations, to me, would indicate that when the government of Iraq is requesting that they be allowed to take over full control of their government, and are even considering letting the legality of US presence expire on Dec 31st, it should be the answer of the United States that the people of Iraq should be allowed to take control – ending the war.

Philosophy on the Economy:
“As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit…use it as sparingly as possible; avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace; avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in times of peace to discharge the debts.”

Washington understood that a national government in debt, especially to foreign nations, was a government entangled in an alliance – and as such, limiting the ability of the government to ensure peace and liberty amongst the citizens. Washington would most likely be opposed to “entitlement checks” and the nationalization of the federal banks. These ideals are the opposite of a fabric of moral judgment and liberty within the government.

Philosophy of Political Parties:
“The common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of Party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it”
“Combinations or associations of [Parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion.”
“The natural domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissention, is itself a frightful despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.”

It is no secret that Washington opposed the existence of political parties, as they were self serving and destructive in their roles towards their opposition. They were the source of insurrection against the existence of a common union government in favor of domination over an opposing party. Washington described perfectly the very situation which today is placing such a strain on the union of states. The party system is employing malicious tactics on one side to ensure domination over the other to ensure absolute power. Washington’s prognostication of this source of strain as the strongest power to dissolve the union of common defense was absolutely correct. He correctly described the dueling factions which are the source of the political dissent in this country. If there was ever a stronger case against the party system, I have not heard it.

Philosophy of Liberty:
“Hence, likewise, they will avoid the necessity of those overgrown military establishments, which, under any form of government, are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to Republican Liberty.”
“It is important that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution, in those entrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon the other.”

As my previous posts indicate, I am in favor of Washington’s stance regarding a control of the size and functions of the government as a necessity to liberty. Washington warned of a large regular army as being hostile to liberty, as much as he warned of cautioning citizens of the nation to keep the government constrained within the bounds of their constitutional limits.

Currently, we have a two party warring system determined to obtain absolute power over the other, and the people of the nation, by using the tools granted to the government by themselves which exist outside of the bounds of the constitution.

According to our first president, George Washington, it is therefore our right to enforce the checks and balances of the will of liberty, by casting out those laws encroaching on the rights of free men in this country, and likewise, the corrupt and unprincipled leaders who have worked to encourage such policies.

It is inspiring, from time to time, to understand the principles and values upon which this country was founded – yet sad that our leadership and general population have deviated so far from liberty in favor of security, be it financial or physical. Those willing to transfer some liberty for some security deserve neither, and will get neither.