So unfortunately Rep. Deb Wallace, D-Vancouver, decided to vote “no” when it came to suspending I-960, the noxious Tim Eyman measure that requires an absurd super-majority to raise taxes. Long story short, in order to balance the budget through a combination of cuts and tax increases, Democrats will have to suspend the measure because Republicans won’t agree to anything but cuts.
But you already knew that last part; they’re the Republicans, the party of nothingness, nihilism and nuts.
Ah well, politics is a tough game. I’m sure Wallace’s “no” vote had nothing to do with her candidacy for the WA-03 seat being vacated by Rep. Brian Baird.
Voters in the third district do have other choices on the Democratic side, including my personal pick, Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver, who doesn’t shy away from the tough votes. Pridemore voted to suspend 960 in the Senate, because these things impact real people. The GOP will attack any Democrat no matter what they do anyhow, so you might as well do the right thing. I think Craig gets that.
Here’s a web video from the Pridemore campaign. I kind of like it, but I’m biased, because I’ve been supporting him since he first ran for county commissioner in 1998, when he beat a well-financed, pro-developer incumbent. Judge for yourself.
There’s a still photo in the above video that shows Craig walking at sunrise near Yacolt, in northern Clark County, during that first run for commissioner in 1998. He was on a walking tour of the county where he walked all over the damn place to meet people, and he really seemed to thrive on it. The idea of the walking tour had been suggested by someone who threw it out there almost as a joke, and next thing we knew Craig had sent out a news release and was off and um, walking. Obviously the third Congressional district is too big to walk, but please don’t give him any ideas.
Pridemore’s willingness to take a stand is not going unnoticed at the national level. The web site Crooks and Liars is hosting a live chat with Pridemore on Saturday (two days from now, Feb. 20th) at 11 AM Pacific time.
What’s at stake in this race is whether authentic progressives get to offer real solutions to real problems, or if we get a conserva-crat nominated with the aid of the governor (or the incumbent) and the rest of the power elite. I know, that’s often how politics works, and it’s really no great surprise. But I hope what will be a surprise is when Pridemore not only competes effectively, but manages to defeat the establishment forces that desperately want to cling to the status quo.
Howard Dean was on Morning Joe yesterday talking about how voters want solutions, and most of all they want strength. Strength comes from conviction, not sticking a finger up in the air or seeing how many inside-Olympia names one can list. You can view Dean’s segment at Down With Tyranny.
If you’re a progressive in this state, or this country, here in the person of Craig Pridemore is the chance to support someone authentic, even in a winter of some (or more) discontent. Yes, the Obama administration has been a disappointment, and yes, there are certain Democrats in the US Senate who vex us endlessly, but the only path forward is, well, forward. The third district is widely considered to a pure toss-up district, and it’s still anyone’s ballgame at this point, prognostications by careerist Republican hacks aside.
Some Democratic leaders still haven’t seemed to learn the simple lesson that when given the choice between two Republicans, voters will choose the Republican, with apologies to Harry S. Truman (who gave them hell, not heck.) I’m not entirely certain why this is so, but it must change for this country to ever move forward.
If you can, please consider an early donation through Craig’s Act Blue page, every bit helps. If you’re on Facebook, I’ve started a group of supporters that also contains a link to Craig’s official fan page. Come join us as we campaign for an authentic representative of the people.
‘….Rep. Deb Wallace, D-Vancouver, decided to vote “no” when it came to suspending I-960….’
Glad to see one (D) with balls, common sense, and that listens to the will of the people. How refreshing.
Usually when I read John with-the-stupid-last-name’s posts, it reminds me of rancid, rotting meat. Now run along and lick Mr. Prdemore’s smelly feet like a good little ignoramous Jonny.
Protester Destroys IRS Building
A tax protester flew a small plane into an IRS building in Austin, Texas, this morning. About 190 IRS workers were in the building, which was heavily damaged. One IRS worker is missing. The protester also set his own home on fire, and posted an anti-government diatribe on his personal web site. Authorities suspect the crash was intentional.
Also in today’s news, GOP poster boy Bernie Kerik was sentenced to 4 years in prison for tax evasion and other crimes.
@1 Allowing a minority to thwart the will of the majority and render our state and country ungovernable isn’t common sense, it’s stupidity of the lowest order. And believing that stupidity is a good thing makes you a stupid man.
I’m on a mission from the Great Mother Rabbit Spirit to save America from humans.
Vancouver is an anti tax utopia. You avoid income taxes by living in Washington and avoid sales taxes by shopping in Oregon.
The amount of sales tax the state reimburses to Vancouver probably works out to be a subsidy.
Those primo authentic progressives, the circle jerks who not only jerked away 960 but who came back for another whack to jerk away even the accountability provisions of 960.
You’re shameless and shameful. Even little lefty elisist Dave Ross thinks you’re just nuts. Ross, for probably the first and only time, is right-on right.
elisist = elitist
progressives = excrement sandwich, hold the bread
@6 An elitist is someone in favor of minority rule.
An elitist is someone from Mercer Island telling the rest of us how to be down with the struggle.
I don’t live or vote in Wallace and Pridemore’s district, but no doubt House leadership counted the votes and let the vulnerable reps vote against. Same happened in the Senate, where Claudia Kauffman of the swing 47th voted no – had no effect on the outcome, but may very well save that seat for us this election.
You know, I’m really tired of the “you avoid income taxes living in Washington” B.S.
If you have a job in Oregon, which over 60,000 of us Clark County residents do, you pay Oregon income tax.
But hey, don’t let facts get in your way.
The poor defeated fool @ 6 & 7 really needs to get that blood pressure checked:
High blood pressure increases risk of dimentia by up to 600%.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.co.....114219.php
You’re a serious psycho, dude. Get the help you need.