It sure beats the novelty watch business

You know, Tim Eyman could have attempted to point towards today’s article in the Bremerton Sun as a moral victory. [Failed I-864 will still affect city]

The story outlines how some city and county governments are working on “cost-of-government” studies to help develop clearer spending priorities in the wake of the budget scare over I-864 (Cruel and Stupid 25% Tax Cut.)

Instead of claiming credit (deserved or not) for promoting accountability, Tim is quoted dismissively repeating his standard “fat and happy” line. He then emailed a copy of the article to his list (once again in violation of copyright laws) advising them not to get their hopes up, and promising a more draconian sequel. (A 35% tax cut next year?)

Which raises the question as to what is his true agenda? Is it really to protect taxpayers, as he claims, or is it merely to perpetually run initiatives?

Tim is clearly a libertarian. But apparently his radical anti-government agenda is only surpassed by his own personal self-interest.

Tim is in the initiative business, and a moral victory is useless if it doesn’t put money in the bank. If voters see public officials as responsive and accountable, then contributions will dry up, and Tim will be out of a job.

In fact, Tim can’t afford to bask in any victories, moral or otherwise. What Karl Marx wrote of the bourgeoisie could well be applied to Tim’s perpetual revolution… what it produces above all is its own gravediggers.

The point is, there is no end game for Tim, no scenario in which he could ever claim victory, because that would undermine support for next year’s professional campaign. Defeat for Tim is not losing at the polls or failing to qualify for the ballot… it would be to find himself back hawking novelty watches again.