It sure is tempting to pour through the numbers from last week’s primary for tell-tale signs of what’s to come in November’s general, but as others have pointed out, past primaries have not proven to be predictive, and it’s impossible to compare our new pick-a-party primary with results from previous open ballots.
But Jim Camden makes some interesting observations in today’s Spokesman-Review by not just exploring the vote totals in Spokane County, but by also looking at the undervotes… those ballots in which voters do not mark any preference in a particular race.
Undervotes are the reason that vote totals for different contests in the same city, county or legislative district don’t match, because nobody ever gets through an election without somebody refusing to vote for him. In most elections, the farther down the ballot one goes, the more likely for casual voters to say, “Forget it!” and stop marking the ballot.
But not in this year’s Spokane County’s Republican primary.
The race with the fewest GOP undervotes was the sheriff’s primary between Ozzie Knezovich and Cal Walker. Of the 56,510 voters who marked a Republican ballot, only 1,794, or 3 percent, left the sheriff’s race blank.
That’s pretty amazing, considering it was second from the bottom of the partisan ballot. By comparison, one voter in 10 didn’t mark a choice in the U.S. Senate race at the top of the ballot featuring Mike McGavick and five other choices, and one in six didn’t fill in the circle for the next race, Cathy McMorris’ uncontested House primary.
Comparing the House primary, which was about average for undervotes, to the sheriff’s primary, there was a steady drop-off in votes throughout the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley and heavy drop-offs in a few traditionally Democratic precincts and in the rural southern precincts of the county. In only a few isolated precincts were there more undervotes in the House race than the sheriff’s race.
OK, so the sheriff’s primary was one of the hottest in the county
http://www.sp-usa.org/
http://www.marxists.org/
http://www.cpusa.org/
14 POINTS OF FASCISM
1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism
From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights
The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause
The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people’s attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice—relentless propaganda and disinformation—were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite “spontaneous” acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and “terrorists.” Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism
Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.
5. Rampant sexism
Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.
6. A controlled mass media
Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism, and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually success in keeping the general public unaware of the regimes’ excesses.
7. Obsession with national security
Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting “national security,” and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic or even treasonous.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together
Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite’s behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the “godless.” A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.
9. Power of corporations protected
Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of “have-not” citizens.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated
Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts
Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced, or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment
Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. “Normal” and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear, and hatred, of criminals or “traitors” was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption
Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.
14. Fraudulent elections
Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating and disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.
NOTE: The above 14 Points was written in 2004 by Dr. Laurence Britt, a political scientist. Dr. Britt studied the fascist regimes of: Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile).
Does any of this sound familiar? As America sinks deeper and deeper into corporate greed will this country continue to be a democracy by the people and for the people or will it be ruled by the few? Will the trinity of money, power and greed over come one of the greatest countries in the world? Only we, the people, can keep it free. SPEAK OUT AND LET YOUR THOUGHTS BE KNOWN…ONLY BY SILENCE WILL WE BE DEFEATED!
“What no one seemed to notice. . . was the ever widening gap. . .between the government and the people. . . And it became always wider. . . the whole process of its coming into being, was above all diverting, it provided an excuse not to think for people who did not want to think anyway . . . (it) gave us some dreadful, fundamental things to think about . . .and kept us so busy with continuous changes and ‘crises’ and so fascinated . . . by the machinations of the ‘national enemies,’ without and within, that we had no time to think about these dreadful things that were growing, little by little, all around us. . .
Each step was so small, so inconsequential, so well explained or, on occasion, ‘regretted,’ that unless one understood what the whole thing was in principle, what all these ‘little measures’. . . must some day lead to, one no more saw it developing from day to day than a farmer in his field sees the corn growing. . . .Each act. . . is worse than the last, but only a little worse. You wait for the next and the next. You wait for one great shocking occasion, thinking that others, when such a shock comes, will join you in resisting somehow.
You don’t want to act, or even talk, alone. . . you don’t want to ‘go out of your way to make trouble.’ . . .But the one great shocking occasion, when tens or hundreds or thousands will join with you, never comes. That’s the difficulty. The forms are all there, all untouched, all reassuring, the houses, the shops, the jobs, the mealtimes, the visits, the concerts, the cinema, the holidays. But the spirit, which you never noticed because you made the lifelong mistake of identifying it with the forms, is changed. Now you live in a world of hate and fear, and the people who hate and fear do not even know it themselves, when everyone is transformed, no one is transformed. . . .You have accepted things you would not have accepted five years ago, a year ago, things your father. . . could never have imagined.” :
From Milton Mayer, They Thought They Were Free, The Germans, 1938-45 (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1955)
back to Contents
Gingrich urges overriding Supreme Court
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Supreme Court decisions that are “so clearly at variance with the national will” should be overridden by the other branches of government, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/.....ource=mypi
Secret Reports Dispute White House Optimism
By Bob Woodward
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 1, 2006; Page A01
On May 22, 2006, President Bush spoke in Chicago and gave a characteristically upbeat forecast: “Years from now, people will look back on the formation of a unity government in Iraq as a decisive moment in the story of liberty, a moment when freedom gained a firm foothold in the Middle East and the forces of terror began their long retreat.”
Two days later, the intelligence division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff circulated a secret intelligence assessment to the White House that contradicted the president’s forecast.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....00293.html
King County, WASH: Broward County, FL
Hey Mooooooooslim terrorists!! JDB is selling ceramic bobblehead doll of the Prophet Muhammed on EBay! Now, some might consider this to be “disrespectful” of Islam, so you ragheads might consider doing a site check on JDB, and giving him a Mooooooooooooslim “visit”!!! If you do behead JDB, could I buy the “YouTube” video for resale? Best regards, and “BUSH NO GOOD!” JCH
what the republicans ar going to try and steal the vote in king co. like they did in fl buttnutz
Pastors Guiding Voters to GOP
The Christian right seeks out members who might not go to the polls. The focus is issues, but some leaders don’t oppose endorsement.
By Stephanie Simon, Times Staff Writer
October 1, 2006
With a pivotal election five weeks away, leaders on the religious right have launched an all-out drive to get Christians from pew to voting booth. Their target: the nearly 30 million Americans who attend church at least once a week but did not vote in 2004.
Their efforts at times push legal limits on church involvement in partisan campaigns. That is by design. With control of Congress at stake Nov. 7, those guiding the movement say they owe it to God and to their own moral principles to do everything they can to keep social conservatives in power.
http://www.latimes.com/news/na.....;cset=true
Goldy and Gang no matter who counts the votes in King Country the Military will be left out in the count for one reason or the other. The Federal Goverment mught be looking closer this next election. All you Troops at home and Deployed please vote big brother is watching.
The Secretary of Defense has designated October 8-14, 2006 was Absentee Voting Week. Voters should return their voted ballot immediately after receiving it. Overseas voters should vote and return their state absentee ballot or the Federal write-in absentee ballot (FWAB) during this week to make sure their ballot is received by the local election official in time to be counted. If you receive your state absentee ballot after submitting the FAWB, vote and return the state ballot. For those states that allow late counting, ballots must be voted on or before Election Day and must be received by the state late counting deadline. For more information, contact your voter assistance officer.
To learn more about the upcoming elections, visit the Military.com
Show me a poll not commissioned by Goldmark showing that race is close, and I’ll buy it. Or surprise me on Election Day. Otherwise, I still think the national wave that’s probably moving races a few points nationwide just means Goldmark loses a closer race. It’s not like Barbieri was a stiff (he got endorse by the Spokesman-Review, for God’s sake, and they’re a solidly R paper)- and he got buried.
Much as it pains me to say this, Western Idaho is not Democratic country any more, and I don’t think it will be in the near future.
Goldmark does have a reasonable chance in this contest. Among the reasons for this are two that seem more pronounced than others. The first is that he has tremendous support among the agricultural community, and this includes the whole gambit: farmers, seed companies, grain groups, financial and other banking interests, transportation business, etc. The second is that McMorris so far has run a campaign of easy to factcheck lies about her dismal record of service to the District. She has been nothing so much more than a mouthpiece for Pombo, serving on the Majority whip team (along with a certain Florida Congressman named Foley), and shilling for energy and mineral extraction and transportation interests. She has tried to claim credit for keeping Fairchild, something that required huge bi-partisan support from WA’s two Democratic Senators (although of course McMorris claims sole credit).
Goldmark will be hard for McMorris to attack using the RNCC swiftboat operation plans, and doing so will make it hard for her own supporters to be supporting. Goldmark also has the freedom to garner the attention and support of moderate Republicans who are finding it tough to continue to support McMorris unfailing adoration of all things Bush, including the war in Iraq, the gutting of the US economy, and the horrendous corruption of big corporate campaign supports (Abramoff?).
Goldmark is a solid centrist for the most part. Hell, i can’t even fully support some of his positions because they are too conservative for my tastes. But he will be seen by the usual conservative constituency of District V as one of their own, rather than a liberal, urban, mainstream Dem type. This bodes very well for his election.
Those numbers Goldy has been referring to represent a turnout of 32% in this primary. Increasing voter turnout will be the challenge for Goldmark, because therein lies his success.
JCH =
Jackass Can’t Helplyingallthetime
Exactly what kind of lessons have the Repugs been teaching these children (yes, the ARE children) in the page system?? That if a creepy old guy makes the moves on you, just keep quiet and you’ll go far in politics?!?
Umm..yeah, but who knows this? I agree this scandal is getting worse, but what the HELL are the Democratic big wigs in DC doing besides filing failed parliamentary motions and having press conferences?
Where is the Democratic consultant(s) and committee(s) and funders and leaders with the money and the nerve to take these pervert bastards on, medieval style, and send out nasty, targeted mail and cable ads to every fucking voter in close races, nailing the SHIT out of the GOP leadership, GW, and anyone who took Foley’s tainted dollars or for that matter voted with him on anything at all?
I mean, yeah, great, we bloggers blog away, but big fucking deal if Mr. and Mrs. Average Voter aren’t hit between the eyes with this (and every other scandal that’s come out in recent weeks) so people really feel in their gut (not their head) that these rat bastards running the nation are liars, dishonest, crooked and perverted, putting the satiating of a disgusting old man over principles of decency.
Someone, DO SOMETHING. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD I CAN’T TAKE THE IDEA OF THESE ASSHOLES GLOATING ON ELECTION NIGHT!
A post from Daily Kos I thought you may enjoy
What are you wearing?
Protecting child predators to stay in power,
another example of Republican “Family values”.
Had enough?
You know what to do…
It’s coming — physical contact.
And if and when that comes out, the entire Republican leadership goes down. Big time.
I wonder if this Foley thing affects Hastings. He’s chairman of the House Ethics Committee, for what its worth, which isn’t much.
I have dozens of relatives in Spokane, and I can confirm Camden’s hypothesis is sound. These are moderate to liberal folks, but I’ve spoken with three of them that said they voted in the Republican primary because of the sheriff’s race. These same voters have had enough of McMorris and are enthused about Peter Goldmark.
It would be nice if people talked about the subject matter of Goldy’s post for a change :)
Certainly, this makes the race a little closer than it would be otherwise. But consider the numbers in Spokane County:
101,671 people cast ballots. 5,609 or 5.52% chose non-partisan ballots.
56,510 people cast GOP ballots. 46,150 voted for Cathy McMorris. There were 10,360 no-marks, or 18.33%.
39,552 people cast DEM ballots. 35,247 voted for Peter Goldmark. There were 4,305 no-marks, or 10.88%.
Presumably, 10% is an average no-mark rate for an uncontested primary. And there would likely be a higher no-mark rate if people crossed over into the GOP primary because of the Sheriff’s race.
But even if you added every single GOP primary no-mark ballot (rather than the no-marks exceeding the 10% norm) to Goldmark’s total, it is still fewer votes for Goldmark than for McMorris in Spokane County: 45,607 vs. 46,150.
If a Democrat is going to win the 5th District, they have to carry Spokane County by enough of a margin to offset the GOP margin in the smaller rural counties.
What is the difference between the Socialist Party USA and the Democrat Party Today? This is not a trick question.
http://sp-usa.org/principles.html
THE SOCIALIST PARTY strives to establish a radical democracy that places people’s lives under their own control — a non-racist, classless, feminist, socialist society in which people cooperate at work, at home, and in the community.
Socialism is not mere government ownership, a welfare state, or a repressive bureaucracy. Socialism is a new social and economic order in which workers and consumers control production and community residents control their neighborhoods, homes, and schools. The production of society is used for the benefit of all humanity, not for the private profit of a few. Socialism produces a constantly renewed future by not plundering the resources of the earth.
Under capitalist and “Communist” states, people have little control over fundamental areas of their lives. The capitalist system forces workers to sell their abilities and skills to the few who own the workplaces, profit from these workers’ labor, and use the government to maintain their privileged position. Under “Communist” states, decisions are made by Communist Party officials, the bureaucracy and the military. The inevitable product of each system is a class society with gross inequality of privileges, a draining of the productive wealth and goods of the society into military purposes, environmental pollution, and war in which workers are compelled to fight other workers.
People across the world need to cast off the systems which oppress them, and build a new world fit for all humanity. Democratic revolutions are needed to dissolve the power now exercised by the few who control great wealth and the government. By revolution we mean a radical and fundamental change in the structure and quality of economic, political, and personal relations. The building of socialism requires widespread understanding and participation, and will not be achieved by an elite working “on behalf of” the people. The working class is in a key and central position to fight back against the ruling capitalist class and its power. The working class is the major force worldwide that can lead the way to a socialist future – to a real radical democracy from below.
Democratic socialism is a political and economic system with freedom and equality for all, so that people may develop to their fullest potential in harmony with others. The Socialist Party is committed to full freedom of speech, assembly, press, and religion, and to a multi-party system. We are dedicated to the abolition of male supremacy and class society, and to the elimination of all forms of oppression, including those based on race, national origin, age, sexual preferences, and disabling conditions.
Under welfare capitalism, a reserve pool of people is kept undereducated, under-skilled and unemployed, largely along racial and gender lines, to exert pressure on those who are employed and on organized labor. The employed pay for this knife that capitalism holds to their throats by being taxed to fund welfare programs to maintain the unemployed and their children. In this way the working class is divided against itself; those with jobs and those without are separated by resentment and fear. In socialism, full employment is realized for everyone who wants to work.
A socialist society carefully plans its way of life and technology to be a harmonious part of our natural environment. This planning takes place on regional, national, and international levels and covers the production of energy, the use of scarce resources, land-use planning, the prevention of pollution and the preservation of wildlife. The cleanup of the contaminated environment and the creation of a nuclear-free world are among the first tasks of a socialist society
Democracy in daily life is the core of our socialism. Public ownership becomes a fraud if decisions are made by distant bureaucrats or authoritarian managers. In socialist society power resides in worker-managed and cooperative enterprises. Community-based cooperatives help provide the flexibility and innovation required in a dynamic socialist economy. Workers have the right to form unions freely, and to strike and engage in other forms of job actions. Worker and community control make it possible to combine life at work, home and in the community into a meaningful whole for adults and children. Girls and boys are encouraged to grow up able to choose freely the shape of their lives and work without gender and racial stereotyping. Children are provided with the care, goods and services, and support that they need, and are protected from abuse.
I can tell you living here in Spokane that there where a lot of yards with both Cantwell and Knezovich signs. Nobody knew who Flavel was until after the primary. He filed, but didn’t campaign, and unless some major scandal breaks he will not be a factor.
I think that Goldmark is a dangerous canidate. The democrat’s canidate will most likely do well in the city of Spokane, and having a rural background may buy him enough votes to be a contender.
Then again, Barberi should have been a dangerous canidate, and he lost quite badly. McMorris is a pretty good campaigner.
When it comes down to it, I think most voters only vote on one or two issues. If the war is that issue, republicans everywhere are likely to suffer.
This is my favorite and that is why I vote DEMOCRAT every election, Because the two parties are the same in mission and in love. Long live Che!!!!!!!!
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/N...../index.htm
People around the world have more in common with each other than with their rulers. We condemn war, preparation for war, and the militaristic culture because they play havoc with people’s lives and divert resources from constructive social projects. Militarism also concentrates even greater power in the hands of the few, the powerful and the violent. We align with no nation, but only with working people throughout the world.
Tom Foley (R) – now we know why he was confused recently when he blurted out –
“Leave no underage Page behind.”
Amazing how Goldstein will inflate the effects of the pick-a-party primary to try and build up Goldmark, while taking the exact opposite stance with Darcy. Hey, David- if the analysis is valid east of the Columbia, it is also valid east of Lake Washington- not that anyone expects intellectual honesty here.
No! No! The Democrat Party is more like the Communist Party USA. We are closer than the Socialist Party and we love Mexico. http://www.cpusa.org/
The pressure for troop withdrawal is growing, so much so that earlier this summer Democrats introduced two resolutions in the Senate. One, authored by Senator Kerry, envisions a short exit strategy and a role for the international community. The other, which has the support of nearly 40 Democratic senators and may be re-introduced this fall, calls for troop withdrawal beginning this winter, but the flaw is that it leaves the process open-ended, which is precisely what Bush does.
Nevertheless, the fact that a majority of Senate Democrats are supporting this resolution constitutes an important shift in their approach to the Iraq occupation. Much work by the peace majority still needs to be done, but the playing field is far more favorable for organizing a congressional majority in favor of ending the occupation than it was even a few months ago.
We should welcome these changes, even though they don’t go far enough. Communists and other left-minded people should not only give space to people to change their positions on the occupation; we should also applaud such changes when they go in a progressive direction, even if they are not identical to our positions.
Of course, we don’t support an open-ended occupation, no matter which party proposes it. And, needless to say, we don’t support a long-term U.S. military presence in Iraq, which is obviously the Bush administration’s plan.
A long-term U.S. presence is not a force for a democratic, stable and peaceful Iraq.
http://www.cpusa.org/article/articleview/781/1/56/
Whoa the liberal drivel is thick today.
I think that the Democrat Party is more in line with the Fascist Movement in the 1930’s.
The Democrat Party is direct revolts with the Republican Party today who are conservative in many ways
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/.....=761568245
Fascist movements usually try to retain some supposedly healthy parts of the nation’s existing political and social life, but they place more emphasis on creating a new society. In this way fascism is directly opposed to conservatism—the idea that it is best to avoid dramatic social and political change. Instead, fascist movements set out to create a new type of total culture in which values, politics, art, social norms, and economic activity are all part of a single organic national community. In Nazi Germany, for example, the fascist government in the 1930s tried to create a new Volksgemeinschaft (people’s community) built around a concept of racial purity. A popular culture of Nazi books, movies, and artwork that celebrated the ideal of the so-called new man and new woman supported this effort. With this idealized people’s community in mind, the government created new institutions and policies (partly as propaganda) to build popular support. But the changes were also an attempt to transform German society in order to overcome perceived sources of national weakness. In the same way, in Italy under Mussolini the government built new stadiums and held large sporting events, sponsored filmmakers, and financed the construction of huge buildings as monuments to fascist ideas. Many scholars therefore conclude that fascist movements in Germany and Italy were more than just reactionary political movements. These scholars argue that these fascist movements also represented attempts to create revolutionary new modern states.
Dude, it’s really past time to do something about the trolls.
Jim, yeah, that’s sort of my point. Note that Burner’s results (slim victory in primary) align pretty closely with concurrent polling- well within the margin of error in the polling for the 8th CD. Considering Smilin’ Dave is the incumbent AND a popular local official, and Burner is, well, not, he’s in trouble.
I have not seen ANYTHING approaching that in the 4th and 5th (believe me,if it was there, it would be trumpeted to high heaven- and the national Rs would be dumping money in like crazy, which they ain’t)- and even if there’s a 5 point wind behind your back if you’re a D because some voters are sick of this Congress and are just going to throw the bastards out, that wins in the 8th…but you still lose in the 4th and 5th. You just lose maybe 56-44 instead of 58-41.
Yeah, we get anecdotes. Well, the plural of “anecdote” is not “data”. Show me the polls showing a close race, where you’re not paying for an answer you want (read, not a camnpaign poll, not a push poll), and I’ll buy that there’s a close race. Until then, it’s all handwaving, and eyes need to be on the prize in the 8th.
I was just over in Spokane and can back up what #25 said; there were lots of yards with Cantwell and Knezovich signs in them. Hell, the way Cantwell votes half the time, maybe they’re Republicans for Cantwell!
31
Agree. We see the facists tendencies of the left in every day life today. Political correctness is a form of censorship that all facists use to maintain power. The murder of the Jewish woman by Haq in Seattle is yet another example of what happens when liberalism is carried to its extreme.
35 – We see the brainwashed dishonest character of DOOFUS almost everyday. He worships authoritarianism. He constantly repeats lies promulgated from right-wing propaganda sources. He long ago ceased being an individual when he willingly allowed himself to assume the hive mentality of the extreme right wing.
DOOFUS is the ultimate example of an addict to exteme right wing ideology and propaganda. His pathetic nightly spews on HA.org and despicable exploitation of a terrible tragedy perpetrated by a mentally ill individual illustrates clearly what happens when an addiction of this sort runs its complete course.
The point is, just as the “it will be decided in the primary” sheriff’s race drew votes to the Republican primary in Spokane, the fact that the only primary action in the 8th C.D. was on the Democratic side (in legislative races) drew voters to that ballot in the primary.
That inflates Darcy’s totals. And Darcy is down by two points from the Democratic percentage from 2004. The poll numbers two years ago were favoring Ross, too- but he isn’t in Congress.
We also see a lot of polls pushing a particular position, but few Darcy supporters want to look behind surface numbers- and with good reason. Darcy remains undefined to the electorate, and will be torn up in the last three weeks of the election worse than Ross was. That so few voters know who she is this late in the campaign is not good for her.
One really needs to step out of the lefty blog echo chamber now and then to get a sense of reality…
Goldy,
I think you should follow up with a column regarding Wayne’ comment (#17) above.
The Foley scandal should have serious repercussions for Doc Hastings. If he’s the chair of the House Ethics Committee, why isn’t he initiating an IMMEDIATE investigation of Foley’s horrifying abuse of power and trust. Where are Hastings’ family values in ignoring strongly substantiated charges against a potential pedophilic member of Hastings’ own party?
Hastings shows no leadership, no interest family values and no interest in protecting children. There should be consequences.
Jim King Jr… um… what did I say? Nothing conclusive as far as I can tell. What… you object to me bringing up Camden’s piece?
Smartypants… the Foley scandal is going to impact every race. This is big, big, BIG. Barring some October surprise or rigged polls, the GOP just lost control of the House.
Rigged polls? You mean like King County’s rigged absentee votes?
Hey sgmac, guess what? Repeating it over and over again might make you feel better, but it doesn’t make it true. We had a count, and recount, and a hand recount, followed by six months of depositions and hearings, and two-week trial before a Republican judge in a Republican county, and Rossi’s contest was “dismissed with prejudice.” No election in this nation was more scrutinized than WA’s 2004 gubernatorial election.
So you know what? Eat me.
No, thanks!
I’m too old for you………
As for the Scrutinized part — we really aren’t done with that. The standard has been set for more lawsuits, more scrutinization and more mudslinging that we have ever seen in this state and many others.
KCRE was a disaster and I personally saw many of those ballots and I guarantee you that I saw ballots for Rossi AND Gregoire that were not counted and should have benn and vice versa.
We shall see if the scrutinization will provide postive or negative impacts on the upcoming elections……….
You can bet there’s going to be more scrutiny than before, but you righties won’t like it. The Eastern Wash vote will be looked at VERY carefully this year. I am with a group that plans to pull a Rossi on every close election on the east side. We want to show the righties what it’s like when you play by those rules and BOTH sides get the scrutiny. I bet they’ll scream and cry like girls once they have to go through the same thing.
43 sgmmac
“I guarantee you that I saw ballots for Rossi AND Gregoire that were not counted and should have benn and vice versa.
”
And you did not come forward? Funny how you’re all upset and claim to have the goods but during lo those many months you never appeared on a witness stand, on a witness list, in a new article, and so on. “I saw ballots that were not counted.” Sure you did.
ot only is sgmmac too old for Goldy, she appears to be old enough for dementia . . . Tree
Private-Sector Anger Builds as Public Pension Costs Rise
Lawmakers feel the heat from taxpayers who see their own benefits wither, and traditional payouts give way to 401(k)-style plans.
By Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Times Staff Writer
October 2, 2006
HADDONFIELD, N.J.—For insurance agent Steve Adams, 51, the resentment began two years ago.
As he worried whether his stagnant 401(k) account would be adequate for retirement, his wife’s employer ended her pension plan, forcing her to rely on a 401(k) as well. Then New Jersey lawmakers raised his property taxes to maintain state workers’ pensions.
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Last spring Adams joined a taxpayer group called Americans for Prosperity that is seeking limits on government employee pensions.
In June he attended a rally in Seaside Heights, N.J., where about 200 people urged state legislators to make cuts in such things as pensions rather than raise taxes again — this time, a proposal to raise the state sales tax.
“We don’t get anything nearly as generous in the private sector” as public pensions, Adams said.
Public employee pensions, one of the last bastions of guaranteed retirement plans in America, are under assault as cash-strapped state and local governments struggle to cover rising costs and as resentful taxpayers refuse to pay more to cover them.
The development has led to “pension envy” among people like Adams, as baby boomers struggling to make it to retirement see state workers retire early to reap rewards they may never enjoy. The tension has crept into relationships between friends, neighbors, parents and teachers.
The struggle to fund public employee pension plans is a familiar topic in California, where last year Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unsuccessfully sought to replace state workers’ pensions with 401(k)s.
The California Public Employee Retirement System and California State Teachers Retirement System cover more than 2 million workers. CalPERS is 88% funded and CalSTRS 82% funded, according to their financial records — levels that researchers at the conservative Pacific Research Institute say are high compared with states such as Illinois and New Jersey.
Alaska and Colorado have made changes to state pensions, and Illinois, Oklahoma, Montana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Providence, R.I., are contemplating similar steps.
About 90% of state and local workers in the U.S. have pensions, compared with about 20% of private-sector workers, said Keith Brainard, research director at the National Assn. of State Retirement Administrators.
Instead of company-paid pensions with guaranteed payments, most private-sector workers now are offered 401(k) plans, investment accounts that employees pay into and manage while they’re working, then tap when they retire. Some employers contribute to 401(k) plans.
With state pensions, investment management is up to the state, but taxpayers are often called on to cover costs. As of last year, 84% of state pension plans were underfunded, meaning their assets don’t cover projected payments, according to Santa Monica-based Wilshire Associates. Some lawmakers plan to make up the difference by raising taxes.
The tension between public employees and taxpayers is playing out across the country, but nowhere more sharply than in New Jersey.
Several of New Jersey’s major private employers recently eliminated pensions. Telecom giants Sprint Nextel Corp. and Verizon Communications partially froze pensions last year, affecting some 18,000 workers in New Jersey. DuPont Co., which employs about 1,300 in New Jersey, announced plans this summer to freeze pensions, meaning the company intends to drastically reduce its pension fund for current employees and deny any coverage to new hires.
“More and more New Jerseyans find themselves without pensions and become resentful of the double whammy that they face: fewer benefits for themselves and higher taxes so that the public-sector workers can receive generous benefits,” said David Rebovich, managing director of the Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University in Lawrenceville.
Nancy Burwell, 52, of Morristown, N.J., is one of them. She’s been attending and organizing meetings of Americans for Prosperity — seven were scheduled in September across the state, seven this month — where organizers explain the public pension system and how it contributes to local tax increases.
Burwell, who works in sales, said she and her husband, a computer programmer, were saving for retirement without a pension or 401(k) because their jobs didn’t offer them.
“We don’t expect anybody else to help us out; we take care of it ourselves,” Burwell said. “I really resent these public workers. Why should I pay for their retirement?”
State Assemblyman Paul D. Moriarty is pushing pension changes. “In New Jersey, life is still about keeping up with Mr. and Mrs. Jones. And the Joneses have state pensions and health care coverage,” the Democrat said.
Now Daddy,
I saw them AFTER the trial……..
Stefan documented some of them very well with photos up on his blog Sound Politics…. He did not take pictures of the ballots found in their envelopes – privacy issues there.
KCRE wasn’t too forthcoming with the discovery for the trial, as a matter of fact, both the Democratic and Republican parties complained to the Judge about their lack of discovery.
Hopefully, they have learned that life under a microscope is better if there arn’t any discrepancies.
TFF,
dementia hasn’t hit me yet at 53, but you never know………