Gov Inslee, “It’s All or Nothing” in Bankrupting the Middle Class

In spite of all of their boastful claims, anybody paying attention has come to realize that Democrats are actually the enemy of the middle class in America, not their guardian or friend. From restrictive taxes to job destroying policies, Democrats continue to burden the shrinking middle class as more and more, citizens fall below the poverty line.

Washington State far left Democrat Governor Jay Inslee provides a perfect example of how the Democrats are out to destroy the American Middle Class as he vetoes $81M for CRC yesterday, making the claim of “It’s all or nothing.”

On first look, given that our state once again faces a budget deficit exceeding $1 Billion, it may appear that he is actually cutting expenses. But the truth is far different. His ultimate goal in vetoing the $81 Million is an attempt to force the legislature into passing a measure to spend $450 Million to begin construction of the contentious Columbia River Crossing light rail project, forcing Clark County’s middle class taxpayers to not only accept the light rail they have repeatedly rejected, but pay for it too.

Of Increased Decibels, Cutting Bait and the Four P’s

Unable to read the tea leaves, by all appearances proponents of the costly and controversial light rail project, falsely promoted as a bridge project, the Columbia River Crossing are responding to the call of Governor Jay Inslee to “increase the decibels” as if they were trained seals blasting on a horn to be rewarded with a small piece of fish.

Increasingly we see elected officials fall in lock-step along partisan lines to promote this boondoggle, falling back on all of the disproven talking points and at times, gross exaggerations if not outright lies.

Early last week we saw outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood parachuted in to manipulate the State Legislature into voting for and supporting this project where he said, “This is the 11th hour. Fish or cut bait. Make a decision.”

SW Washington to CRC, Please Do Not Resuscitate

Friday, April 12, 2013, a stunning day for all opponents of the Columbia River Crossing filled with enough good news to make Jim Moeller & Tim Leavitt’s head swell up and explode from anguish.

The Columbia River Crossing appears to be in a death roll.

We first read of the actions of the leadership in the State Senate Coalition Majority, who have been pressured all week to roll over and fund $450 Million to be used as Washington’s portion to begin work, calling upon Governor Jay Inslee to convene a fully independent, outside audit of the Columbia River Crossing project.

Music to my ears as I and several others have been making the same call for some time.

CRC Supporters Scurrying Like Cockroaches

This past Sunday, April 3, 2013 saw yet another insulting editorial written by soon to be retiring Columbian Editorial Page Editor, John Laird: We should all live as long as the Third Bridge Cockroach.

Laird, a strong supporter of the Columbia River Crossing has now added “cockroach” to his repertoire of derogatory titles assigned to taxpayers that dare actually look behind the shroud of secrecy long enveloping the CRC and stand against it.

BANANA (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything), Ankle Biters, Hounds of Whinerville, NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard), CAVE (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) and now Cockroaches to describe those who they also want to buy their newspaper.

CRC, the Columbian and the War on the Middle Class

It has long been shown that the Columbian, the so-called newspaper of record for Southwest Washington, is solidly in the tank for the effort to force Clark County to accept Portland, Oregon’s financially ailing light rail system by supporting the Columbia River Crossing project, falsely being sold as a “bridge replacement project.”

Replacing the aging spans is secondary to forcing light rail across state lines a short distance into our community, as was revealed early in 2012 by an Oregon State Supreme Court ruling in an unrelated case. To date, the Columbian has not acknowledged that revelation first made known in the Willamette Week article, The $2.5 Billion Bribe.

Far from being just an “ugly baby” we are somehow beholden to, as described in editor Lou Brancaccio’s Saturday Press Talk column, It’s an ugly baby, but it’s ours, it is in reality the epitome of the war on the middle class as expenses of this boondoggle fall directly on the backs of a still struggling middle class in Clark County trying to recover from 4 straight years of double digit unemployment.

Democrats Waging War Against the Middle Class in Court

The middle class in Washington State was struck a cruel blow yesterday when the State Supreme Court ruled against citizens and sided with Democrats and Education Union Groups in finding unconstitutional citizen initiatives requiring the state legislature to reach a 2/3 supermajority vote in order to raise our taxes.

Most telling is just who the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, filed shortly after voters for the 4th time approved the requirement of a 2/3 supermajority in I-1053 in 2010.

In addition to the League of Education Voters and the Washington Education Association we also see Representative Laurie Jinkins (D. 27th); Representative Jamie Pedersen (D. 43rd); Representative Deb Eddy (D. 48th); Representative Sam Hunt (D. 22nd); Representative Jim Moeller (D. 49th); Representative Timm Ormsby (D. 3rd); Representative Eric Pettigrew (D. 37th); Representative Chris Reykdal (D. 22nd); Representative Cindy Ryu (D. 32nd); Representative Mike Sells (D. 38th) and State Senator David Frockt (46th) listed as plaintiffs against middle class citizens of Washington State.

Jim Moeller was quoted in the pages of the Columbian saying, “The constitutional legality of the supermajority has gone unresolved for many years, and I’m really pleased that the court has finally settled the issue.”

Columbian Gets It Wrong Again, In Favor of a Democrat – Updated

Once again we see the Columbian living up to their reputation of being the daily newsletter for the Democrat Party, hard pressed to give credit to Republicans for their work and crediting it to the newest, least experienced State Senator recently elected in the 49th Legislative District, Annette Cleveland, who’s main experience seems to be her boasting of coming from an ILWU family.

At about 6 AM this very morning, the Columbian posted online Tax bill brings lawmakers together with the claim,

“Senate Bill 5325, which seeks to add Clark County to a list of “rural” counties that receive .09 percent of their sales taxes back each year, has received support from both Democrats and Republicans from Southwest Washington. House Bill 1553 is the companion bill.”

“Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, sponsored the Senate bill with three Republicans.”

Ring Out The Old and Ring In The New

Just hours from now we will be bidding adieu to 2012 and welcoming in 2013 with uncertain prospects in our future.

2012 saw several disappointments for conservatives as the march towards socialism in America increases, embraced by those who fall for whatever canard they are spoon-fed by the leftist pundits in the lamestream media.

Almost unbelievable was seeing Barack Obama, after four dismal years at the helm of the country, easily swept back into office in November. That all indicators point to us being much worse off than when he and his party seized the country, he easily won reelection against Mitt Romney amid more empty promises of how much better he will make the country, even though are more divided today than we have been in several decades.

Columbian Caught Sandbagging CRC Reports, Says Red Flags “Not Newsworthy”

It is well known in our community that the newspaper of record, the Columbian is wholly in the tank for the Columbia River Crossing Project and forcing Portland, Oregon’s financially ailing light rail into our community. We have all seen how they minimize red flags raised, such as the Coast Guard’s refusing to sign off on the design due to insufficient river traffic clearance and even comments left by supporters that barges and ships that may require more than 95 foot clearance, such as the Columbia River Dredge, should cut down their masts or whatever extends higher to clear the light rail planned to be hung underneath the new bridge on a lower level.

Recent revelations by forensic accountant Tiffany Couch of Acuity Group LLC has indicated, through her independent audit of hundreds of documents several red flags, including a potential violation of state law, huge cost overruns potentially not be handled properly and even Millions on cost appearing in CRC documents that appear to be marked to fund expansion and improvement projects inside Oregon, several miles outside of the CRC Transportation area.

This blog covered the first of the three reports released so far here and here. Additional coverage can be found at Couv.com as well as looking through Clark County Politics, both of whom have given the CRC as much critical coverage as I have, if not more.

HOW MUCH FOR THE LOCAL CONTRIBUTION?

Contributed by Professor Robert Dean

 

HOW MUCH FOR THE LOCAL CONTRIBUTION?

What are the direct costs of the CRC light rail project to the local community?

Frankly, I don’t concern myself too much about the projected $4.2 billion price tag[i] of the CRC light rail project. If the feds want to further squander our gas taxes, or borrow from China, there’s not much I can do or say that would dissuade them. I got a little more concerned, though, when, in 2010, Joe Cortright alerted us that the total 30 year cost of the CRC light rail project would approach $10 billion.

He published his report and it caught the attention of the public and the CRC. The CRC, by way of ODOT, posted a weak refutation, mostly arguing semantics; if you buy a house for $300,000 you don’t count up the mortgage payments and say you are living in a $600,000 house. To which Mr. Cortright answered: no, but you’d better be sure you can make those payments before you borrow to buy the house.

Is Endorsing Marc Boldt the Columbian’s Litmus Test for Candidates?

The local newspaper of record, the Columbian, also known as the unofficial daily newsletter for the CRC & Democrat Party, continues to claim they are not biased in favor of liberals, but everyday reveals more and more of the leftward leaning.

Along with their bias comes their favored candidates and incumbents, nearly always a Democrat or supporter of the CRC and dragging Portland’s financially failing light rail into Clark County and sticking local citizens with massive taxes and tolls to pay for what they have not even been allowed to vote again to say whether they want it or not, being voted down 3 times in the past.

County Commissioner Marc Boldt was one who the paper used to demand resign, as they did in their past editorial, “Three Nuts and a Boldt.” But Boldt has become the Darling of the paper as he shifted left politically and began supporting the CRC.

We saw it the paper waited 4 months to report on Boldt’s being sanctioned by the CCGOP and only after successful businessman, David Madore, long hated by the paper, announced he would run against Boldt.

Must Love Dogs NW A ‘Splashing’ Success

Sunday, August 21, 2011 saw the first ever ‘Must Love Dogs NW’ event held at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver, Washington. As with most events, part of the fun is to have prominent people occupy the “dunk tank,” giving others the opportunity to dunk them into water, for a small fee to be applied towards the particular event.

I didn’t arrive early enough to tape some others, but was pleased to see Craig Riley, who is running against Sharon Wylie for the seat in the 49th legislative district sitting on the dunk tank and, having fun at it, as did those who successfully dunked him (especially the children).

Should I Care What Life Pac Says?

As a political blogger I am approached from time to time by candidates and supporters asking for support, inviting me to their events or speaking against a candidate I might have decided to support. But, I have to say that tonight was the first time a PAC has contacted me to ask that I consider withdrawing an endorsement of a candidate.

What strikes me as odd, besides the fact that I have not endorsed Anne McEnerny-Ogle, or any candidate for Vancouver City Council for that matter, is that the link shown is to a recommendation I made a year and a half ago, when she was vying to be appointed to the city council seat that Bart Hansen ended up winning the nomination to.

Sen. Don Benton’s Reaction to Governor Gregoire’s State of the State Address

Senator Don Benton, Republican 17th legislative district gives his reaction to the recent ‘State of the State’ address.

Don Benton Reacts to the 2011 state of the stat…, posted with vodpod

Stay up to date with Senator Benton and sign up for his electronic newsletter by visiting http://www.senaterepublicans.wa.gov/Benton/

Newly elected GOP representative Ann Rivers gave the Republican rebuttal to the address here

Ann Rivers Gives Republican Response to Governor Gregoire’s State of the State Address

Ann Rivers, newly elected 18th Legislative District Representatives gives the Republican response to Governor Gregoire’s 2011 State of the State Address in Olympia Washington.

Transcript

Ann Rivers Give Republican Response to Governor…, posted with vodpod

 

Governor Gregoire’s Address may be seen here

Debbie Peterson, Citizens Promoting Accountability/Clarity.

Debbie Peterson, a former candidate for the 49th Legislative District, has started a Political Action Committee designed to help supporters learn how to best help their chosen candidate.

She has scheduled a meeting on Tuesday, September 14 at Clark GOP Headquarters, located at the SW Corner of the intersection of 78th St and Hazel Dell Ave. The meeting will run between 7 PM and 8 PM.

Debbie says,

“I am holding this proactive – shovel ready workshop to get our guys elected. DUE TO PAC RULES, CANDIDATES OR THEIR CAMPAIGN MANAGERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND.”

It takes more than just a campaign sign in your yard to promote a good candidate. Debbie is extending the effort to draw supporters together and brainstorm how best to elect conservative candidates and ensure we save this country and begin wresting it from grasp of the liberal elites that have plunged more into debt than we have ever seen in our history.

Debbie also says,

“Friends, This can’t be church, where 10% of the folks do 90% of the work. We will lose our elections! We need 100% of the folks doing 10% of the work. YEAH for us! All of our guys have just won! Please attend – it will be the best hour you spend, this week!”

Short notice, but please plan on attending and let’s get some good representation for the people of Washington State.

Let the Head Butts Begin

Now that the dust has settled from the primaries, we will next be faced with deciding who to vote for to actually send to office. We now have to decide if we really want change, or in some cases, hold our noses and vote, hoping for the best.

For me personally, this past campaign has been a real eye opener causing me to decide to distance my self from the GOP, but retaining my conservative leaning. I left the Democrat Party long ago over similar corruption and dirty dealings and just because they feign conservatism is no reason to support such dirty dealings as I saw coming from board members of the Clark County GOP and other county Republican Parties in Southwest Washington.

Be it their over eagerness or elation in the Democrats polling so poorly nationwide, whoever decided to go ahead with the TV ad released the day after the election screwed up badly, handing the opposing party an FEC complaint on a silver platter.

The ad itself isn’t what is bad, but the obvious coordination between the GOP and American’s for Prosperity, a section 501(c)(3) organization that can only engage in limited lobbying and is prohibited from any political campaign intervention is glaring.

From the use of people that have openly supported or endorsed the establishment candidate that gained the nomination, some of whom actually engaged in the dirty tactics against a fellow Republican that has resulted in my distancing myself from the GOP, to Ryan Hart actually calling around to enlist “volunteers” to appear in it and telling me that Kirby Wilbur of AFP was producing the ad, the FEC complaint filed against them by the Democrats is their chickens coming home to roost.

Not a smart move by any means. Even if they are exonerated, it will be long after the November General election. Whether or not it has any bearing come November 2 remains to be seen.

While the establishment candidate sits around waiting on handlers to provide ideas to express, Democrat Denny Heck has released an ad attacking, not his opponent, but Wall Street and some of the problems actually facing the country. I can’t honestly say I agree with his ideas, but at least he is expressing some and not waiting on handlers to give him some.

The dough boy seems to have slipped back towards obscurity after making all of his noise and helping slander and vilify the only decent conservative candidate we have seen run for Washington States 3rd Congressional District in several years.

He never did come clean on that “Marine Service” he always boasted of, but I am now in possession of the public portion of his Military record and still have some questions to ask him about it, should he come slithering out from behind the rock he crawled behind.

Moving on to the 18th Legislative District, Ann Rivers and Dennis Kampe will be facing each other in November. After all of the belly aching over David Castillo not immediately getting behind the chosen establishment candidate in the 3rd CD race, I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised at the silence coming from those same party insiders at GOP sleaze ball and muckraker, Jon Russell not endorsing Rivers.

In spite of Ann’s receiving some nice endorsements from State Attorney General Rob McKenna and others, including her NRA endorsement, rumor has it that Jon Russell is holding out for a specific thing before endorsing her, even though he tried and failed to start rumors against her or create a link to her and fellow blogger Kelly Hinton to harm her chances of winning.

My advice to Ann Rivers is to give that slime ball the middle finger.

Many eyebrows are raised currently over Vancouver City Manager, Pat McDonnell’s sudden decision to resign and obtain a job with SEH, a corporation his decisions have benefited more than once financially.

I have not seen any word from current city council member Bart Hansen, running for reelection on this seeming conflict of interest, but his opponent has made his view clear to voters on any potential replacement for McDonnell. In an email, John Jenkins said,

“I’d loose no sleep in appointing Eric Holmes to fill the top slot.

Having said that I hope the Vancouver City Council will not perform a national search for a city manager and here are a few reasons why:

A search will only cost money. We don’t have an abundance of that right at the moment.

A search will only cause resentment in the staff here who thought they were qualified.

A search will only produce an individual who has to play catch-up on every issue.

A search will only produce an individual who will bring ideas to the city of Vancouver who knows nothing about Vancouver and its problems past or current.

And, don’t fill the assistant city manager’s position. It would be bad form to the rest of the cities employees.

You have it from me what I’d do if I was in the seat today.”

Will Hansen release any such comments? Or, will we have to wait to see his views as the replacement process unfolds, if he is still on the council?

The Columbian seems to have already picked the Democrat for endorsement in the 17th Legislative District position 2 as they ran an article “exposing” Republican Paul Harris’s failure to register his vehicle in Washington State. In spite of over 100 comments left at the article, many just a bit too anti, I seriously doubt this will amount to any significance in the November election against his opponent, Monica Stonier, who the Columbian doesn’t seem interested in looking into her background.

With the vote count in the primary, Harris received nearly 3,000 more votes than both of the Democrats combined. He owned up to his mistake and paid the necessary fine. Now, move on to something of significance, if you can.

We still have 2 months before the general and with some high stakes seats open this time, we can expect to see some amusing shenanigans in many of the races.

As an Independent Conservative now, I have my popcorn at the ready and lawn chair set up to watch it all unfold.

It will be interesting to see who actually earns our votes versus who sits back and just expects it.

Candidates, to your corners and at the sound of the bell (or checkbooks opening), come out swinging.

Is Change In The Air For The Legislature?

All of Tuesday’s votes should be in by now and counted. Certification won’t be long and the vote will become official. No changes will be coming in the count and candidates who won a top two will go on to the November general election.

Voters didn’t fall for dirty tactics in all of the races and it appears there may be a decent chance that the state legislature may do an “about face” this year. Even if the majority doesn’t change, the numbers ought to become more even, hopefully putting a stop to the out of control spending approved by Democrats and some less than reliable Republicans.

One such official is making a definite exit from our legislature and good riddance.

While I haven’t followed all of the legislative races around the state, the vote count shows some very favorable races indicating that some changes might be seen come November.

The 15th Legislative District seems prepared to retain Senator Jim Honeyford, who ran unopposed. Bruce Chandler who received an impressive 67% of the votes over his opponent and David Taylor who also received nearly 67% of the votes will still face a run-off in the general election, but it is expected they will remain sane voices in the legislature.

The 17th Legislative District looks like it is well ready to seek change as Brian Peck and Paul Harris both came out ahead in their races. Peck, a first time candidate earned 53% of the votes over his incumbent opponent, one term incumbent Tim Probst. Harris, competing for an open seat easily defeated both Martin Hash and Monica Stonier with 56% of the votes.

Harris and Stonier move on to the general as do Peck and Probst.

In the 18th Legislative District, incumbent Ed Orcutt ran unopposed. Ann Rivers, who rightfully should have received the position 1 seat in 2007, joined Dennis Kampe in winning a slot in the top two primary. Rivers faced multiple opponents, including one of questionable character, Washougal council member Jon Russell, who held out until the last to concede to her.

Rivers and Kampe move on to the general and if those who voted for the others on the right side get behind Rivers, she should easily defeat Kampe and retain that vacant seat for the right.

In the heavily Democrat 49th Legislative District, the two Democrat incumbents, Jim Jacks and Jim Moeller, received the majority of votes, but first time candidate Bill Cismar and businessman Craig Riley are in close striking distance as both incumbents received less vote percentage than each did in the 2008 primaries.

In 2008, Moeller took his top two slot with 64% of the vote compared to receiving 53% in 2010. Jacks received close to 59% in 2008 compared with 55% in 2010 against an unknown candidate with a shoestring campaign budget.

With the proper support and donations, both Riley and Cismar might unseat both of the incumbents and turn the 49th Legislative District over to some fiscal sanity.

Many local races remain a toss up going into the general, but it looks like there just may be some new faces heading off to Olympia after November.

Let’s just hope they place the taxpayers first and party second when they arrive.

The Generosity of the Cowlitz GOP is Underwhelming

The Cowlitz County GOP has sent out an invitation to candidates for a BBQ, August 21, 2010 inviting all candidates to come speak before attendees.

That I can recall, I have never met Schimmel, but this “invite” to speak, FOUR DAYS AFTER THE PRIMARY is just unbelievable.

If you recall, the Cowlitz GOP was the first County Party to endorse candidates, months before the candidate filing deadline had even arrived. One of their endorsed candidates ended up having to withdraw over personal reasons and I never heard if they endorsed anyone in his place.

Other than entertainment, what good will it do for candidates to speak before those in attendance 4 days AFTER the primary?

Obviously, non-endorsed candidates did not receive a fair shake from the Cowlitz GOP and voters were denied a fair and balanced assessment of candidates running for office there.

As I have said many times, individual endorsements of candidates is one thing, but the party itself should not issue endorsements prior to the primary, even with out top two primary system. Voters deserve better.

Poetic justice would be for this to be the platform used by cute little Jaime Herrera and scandal ridden Jon Russell to make their concession speeches.

Little wonder the GOP has such a difficult time winning elections in counties with such poor party leadership.

Columbian Editor Creates Local Soap Opera

Clark County residents can rest easier today knowing that the Columbian’s managing editor, Lou Brancaccio has successfully stopped local blogger, Kelly Hinton, from driving in parades for 18th legislative district candidate, Ann Rivers.

Following in the footsteps of Washougal city council member, Jon Russell, a distant opponent of Rivers known for stepping on people in his way, Brancaccio has devoted 2 weekly editorials on the acerbic writing style Hinton uses on his blog.

Guilt by association?

Creating distance from a problem

Hinton, known for his “take no prisoners” blogging at Clark County Politics, where he exposes corrupt politicians and their lackluster performance, has become a favored target. First of some Board Members of the Clark County GOP, who tried to damage 3rd Congressional District candidate David Castillo in favor of opponent, Jaime Herrera, the GOP establishment candidate.

He now seems to have become the favored target, first of scandal ridden council member Jon Russell and now Lou Brancaccio, who maintains that in spite of his columns, “She’s still the best” in reference to Ann Rivers.

Claims of Hinton being Rivers campaign manager or campaign consultant were quickly put to rest and we were told in the original column that Hinton occasionally drives in parades for Ann Rivers.

Meanwhile, scouring the archives of the Columbian and Brancaccio’s columns, I was unable to find any mention during last years Washougal Mayor’s scandal that Rivers opponent, Jon Russell was on the financial oversight committee that signed off on the missing expenditures. Russell pointed all fingers at former mayor, Stacee Sellers, the fellow Republican he threw under the bus in favor of Democrat mayoral candidate, Sean Guard, brother of Jeff Guard, the former mayor Sellers defeated in the previous election.

No red flags there, right?

Brancaccio gleefully informs us in the second paragraph of today’s column, “[the] controversial blogger would no longer be driving in [Rivers] campaign’s parades.”

You can sleep well tonight Clark County, knowing that the Columbian’s managing editor is protecting the community from bloggers who also occasionally drive in parades.

Brancaccio indicates a third column on this subject will be forthcoming.

Hinton continues blogging, undeterred.

Meanwhile, real news concerning a federal candidate and possible fraud remains ignored, not being as important as who drives a truck in a parade.

Tune in next week for the latest installment of “As The Columbian Turns.”