I've often wondered about the Fox channel. It offends me deeply that they call themselves a news channel. They don't report the news, they deliver opinion...highly slanted-to-the-right opinion...about US and world events. I did a basic internet search and came up with this article by Tina Duypuy on themoderatevoice.com
Here's a link to the article: http://themoderatevoice.com/92942/92942/
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
War on the Middle Class
When did public employees become the enemy of the people? No, let me clarify…when did UNIONIZED public employees become the enemy? Public employees are teachers, police officers, fire fighters, social workers, prison guards, and all of those folks that we count on to keep the fabric of our country together and to help us when we need help. The folks in Wisconsin are fighting for their collective bargaining rights---it is not about the money the state needs to save currently, as the unions have already swallowed that bitter pill and agreed to the concessions that they were asked for. No, it is about powerful people gaining even more power over the collective voice of the people, and what is amazing to me is how those powerful folks have managed to get so many dupes to sign on to their own demise.
One only need to take a look at why unions came to be in the first place to see the advantages that union busting would have for the powerful. Unions began to assure that a father could work a reasonable number of hours a week and still have time for his family, and to protect his health from the overwork and long hours that had been the norm in the past. Unions began so that mothers would be assured a wage that was equal to that of a man doing the same work, so that she could feed, clothe and house her family. Unions began so that companies wouldn’t exploit children for the sake of profits. Unions began to assure that one single worker had a voice. Sounds kind of like a democracy, doesn’t it?
If you are pro-democracy, you should also be pro-union. Our country is stronger due to the voice of the people…ALL of the people…being heard, and to show support for our unions is the most patriotic thing you could do. Let your voice be heard.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Cowlitz County Commissioner Race
Cowlitz County newcomer James Misner will be our newest county commissioner, after ousting incumbent Axel Swanson in the general election. Today's Longview Daily News ran a front page article about the race, which I anxiously read because I have been trying to figure out what happened in that race myself. Mr. Misner was previously a painting contractor in Clark County and is now in the process of trying to build a zip-line park in the Silver Lake area. I believe he has lived here less than a year. But he makes cool signs. His signs, made in different animal shapes have been a topic of conversation, even amongst Axel's supporters since they began to go up around the county.
Misner didn't seem to run a high profile campaign, and I really wasn't all that worried about Axel retaining his seat, BUT....
The paper suggests that the signs were a big deal to voters. WOW! I can't even wrap my brain around that one. Anyone who would cast a vote based on cool signs should maybe reconsider voting! Maybe voters are suffering from the Dunning-Kruger effect--"a cognitive bias in which an unskilled person makes poor decisions and reaches erroneous conclusions, but their incompetence denies them the metacognitive ability to realize their mistakes." (Morris, Errol, The New York Times)
Or maybe not. Hmm. Perhaps this race was a result of stances taken and decisions made by Axel? There have been a few that have really fired up local residents: the proposed gun range near Castle Rock, the septic inspection issue, and of course, the county's proposed purchase of the Weyerhaeuser landfill. Enough to pull together a win like this for a previously unknown opponent? I don't think so.
In reality, Axel Swanson most likely lost this race for the same "reason" as many other races in our country last Tuesday--voters primarily wanted to "vote the bums out," and anyone who was up for re-election was a target.
Mr. Misner seemed to base his campaign around the problems that the county Building & Planning Department has had, and continues to have. I hope, once he gets over the learning curve for the job, that he can keep his promise to the voters.
Misner didn't seem to run a high profile campaign, and I really wasn't all that worried about Axel retaining his seat, BUT....
The paper suggests that the signs were a big deal to voters. WOW! I can't even wrap my brain around that one. Anyone who would cast a vote based on cool signs should maybe reconsider voting! Maybe voters are suffering from the Dunning-Kruger effect--"a cognitive bias in which an unskilled person makes poor decisions and reaches erroneous conclusions, but their incompetence denies them the metacognitive ability to realize their mistakes." (Morris, Errol, The New York Times)
Or maybe not. Hmm. Perhaps this race was a result of stances taken and decisions made by Axel? There have been a few that have really fired up local residents: the proposed gun range near Castle Rock, the septic inspection issue, and of course, the county's proposed purchase of the Weyerhaeuser landfill. Enough to pull together a win like this for a previously unknown opponent? I don't think so.
In reality, Axel Swanson most likely lost this race for the same "reason" as many other races in our country last Tuesday--voters primarily wanted to "vote the bums out," and anyone who was up for re-election was a target.
Mr. Misner seemed to base his campaign around the problems that the county Building & Planning Department has had, and continues to have. I hope, once he gets over the learning curve for the job, that he can keep his promise to the voters.
Patty Murray and other good news
I am so thrilled that Patty Murray has been re-elected to the US Senate for a fourth term! She has done an amazing job representing the state of Washington and I just cannot imagine our political landscape without her. And maybe, just maybe, Dino Rossi has finally had enough and will get out of politics and go back to showing people how to make money off the backs of people who have had their homes foreclosed upon. I wanted to read a headline today that said "Dino's Done!"
The BIAW was unsuccessful in its campaign against L & I with I-1082, which would have opened up the industrial insurance market to private insurers. As a business owner, I don't think that this initiative was totally without merit. Labor and Industries has some serious flaws, which I've seen from a couple of different viewpoints. It needs some serious overhaul, and I hope the powers-that-be will consider doing just that. While 1082 would have given employers a choice in how they insure their workers for industrial claims, perhaps it didn't get to the root of the problem. For myself, any initiative that is backed by the BIAW is suspect. Their cry of "affordable housing" is laughable, and any thinking person sees past that--it's all about the profit, Baby! And that is why I-1082 failed miserably in Washington.
My friend Dave campaigned strenuously for the defeat of Initiatives 1100 and 1105, which would have privatized liquor sales in Washington. Indeed, he had a vested interest in their defeat, as a liquor store is a tenant in one of his buildings, and I was not sure of my feelings about privatization when he first approached me about supporting the campaign against it. However, after a little research and a lot of thought, a couple of things became clear to me. The revenue from liquor sales is not something that the state can afford to lose right now. Also, do we really want liquor available at every corner store and at all hours? I've been approached at convenience stores by kids wanting me to buy for them, as many probably have. Heck, I probably did that a time or two myself, but it makes no sense whatsoever to me that we would make it that much easier for kids to obtain liquor. Who would this have benefited? Those of us who don't plan ahead to buy alcohol during business hours? Or the manufacturers and retailers who sell the stuff?
The BIAW was unsuccessful in its campaign against L & I with I-1082, which would have opened up the industrial insurance market to private insurers. As a business owner, I don't think that this initiative was totally without merit. Labor and Industries has some serious flaws, which I've seen from a couple of different viewpoints. It needs some serious overhaul, and I hope the powers-that-be will consider doing just that. While 1082 would have given employers a choice in how they insure their workers for industrial claims, perhaps it didn't get to the root of the problem. For myself, any initiative that is backed by the BIAW is suspect. Their cry of "affordable housing" is laughable, and any thinking person sees past that--it's all about the profit, Baby! And that is why I-1082 failed miserably in Washington.
My friend Dave campaigned strenuously for the defeat of Initiatives 1100 and 1105, which would have privatized liquor sales in Washington. Indeed, he had a vested interest in their defeat, as a liquor store is a tenant in one of his buildings, and I was not sure of my feelings about privatization when he first approached me about supporting the campaign against it. However, after a little research and a lot of thought, a couple of things became clear to me. The revenue from liquor sales is not something that the state can afford to lose right now. Also, do we really want liquor available at every corner store and at all hours? I've been approached at convenience stores by kids wanting me to buy for them, as many probably have. Heck, I probably did that a time or two myself, but it makes no sense whatsoever to me that we would make it that much easier for kids to obtain liquor. Who would this have benefited? Those of us who don't plan ahead to buy alcohol during business hours? Or the manufacturers and retailers who sell the stuff?
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The Good:
There are a few bright spots in the election results. The 19th legislative district retained Dean Takko and Brian Blake, Cowlitz County retained Prosecutor Sue Baur and replaced the outgoing republican Treasurer with Kathy Hanks. Our neighbors in Oregon retained David Wu in Congress and elected John Kitzhaber as their governor. The results are still not final in Washington's senate race, but it is looking like Patty Murray will be the winner in that race, as well. It appears that democrats will retain their majority in the Washington State Legislature, albeit one that is much smaller. The best news on the federal level is that the Senate majority also remains with the dems.
The Bad:
The worst news for SW Washington is in the 3rd Congressional district, where Denny Heck lost to Jaime Herrera. I actually kind of feel sorry for that girl--she is in WAY over her head and is about to learn some tough lessons. In her victory speech, she made a point of saying that she will be there for all of the citizens of SW Washington, no matter their political leanings. Well, Duh...that is your job. But we will see how that pans out. Even Cowlitz County, usually a democratic bastion, went with Herrera. I'd like to figure out why.
A real surprise was the defeat of Commissioner Axel Swanson by newcomer James Misner. Misner seemed to run on the "throw the bums out" logic, managing to stir up the rural voters as well as bringing in the republican base. Cowlitz County is the biggest loser there--Axel's education and experience should have made his election a no-brainer.
The Ugly:
The party of no has landed and the American people are their hostages. The same obstructionist attitudes that have been getting in the way of the work of the people for the past two years haven't changed. President Obama is either more optimistic than anyone I know or maybe a little delusional if he thinks there will be any compromise coming from the Republicans. The losers are the American people. Here's what Rush Limbaugh said on his radio program yesterday. "What is all this talk about compromise? This talk about compromise started last night, and it's being given almost a full-throated throttle today. It's coming from both sides. Compromise? Ladies and gentlemen, losers compromise. Winners do not compromise. The Democrats won nothing."
So, no compromising when the Dems are in power, and now, no compromising when they are in power? Tiresome and a big waste of taxpayers dollars.
There are a few bright spots in the election results. The 19th legislative district retained Dean Takko and Brian Blake, Cowlitz County retained Prosecutor Sue Baur and replaced the outgoing republican Treasurer with Kathy Hanks. Our neighbors in Oregon retained David Wu in Congress and elected John Kitzhaber as their governor. The results are still not final in Washington's senate race, but it is looking like Patty Murray will be the winner in that race, as well. It appears that democrats will retain their majority in the Washington State Legislature, albeit one that is much smaller. The best news on the federal level is that the Senate majority also remains with the dems.
The Bad:
The worst news for SW Washington is in the 3rd Congressional district, where Denny Heck lost to Jaime Herrera. I actually kind of feel sorry for that girl--she is in WAY over her head and is about to learn some tough lessons. In her victory speech, she made a point of saying that she will be there for all of the citizens of SW Washington, no matter their political leanings. Well, Duh...that is your job. But we will see how that pans out. Even Cowlitz County, usually a democratic bastion, went with Herrera. I'd like to figure out why.
A real surprise was the defeat of Commissioner Axel Swanson by newcomer James Misner. Misner seemed to run on the "throw the bums out" logic, managing to stir up the rural voters as well as bringing in the republican base. Cowlitz County is the biggest loser there--Axel's education and experience should have made his election a no-brainer.
The Ugly:
The party of no has landed and the American people are their hostages. The same obstructionist attitudes that have been getting in the way of the work of the people for the past two years haven't changed. President Obama is either more optimistic than anyone I know or maybe a little delusional if he thinks there will be any compromise coming from the Republicans. The losers are the American people. Here's what Rush Limbaugh said on his radio program yesterday. "What is all this talk about compromise? This talk about compromise started last night, and it's being given almost a full-throated throttle today. It's coming from both sides. Compromise? Ladies and gentlemen, losers compromise. Winners do not compromise. The Democrats won nothing."
So, no compromising when the Dems are in power, and now, no compromising when they are in power? Tiresome and a big waste of taxpayers dollars.
Election 2010
It's day two post-election and the Republicans have delivered a smack down to "my kind" nationwide. I'm frustrated, sad, a little bitter and a more than a little angry about that. Let me introduce myself. I'm a 51 y/o woman from a traditionally democratic area in SW Washington state. I've been a democrat all my life, first observing the political discussions and activity in my own family. My family were givers, even when they didn't have a lot to call their own, and I grew up seeing them help others less fortunate than themselves. It left an impression. So I have become what is sometimes known as a "Yellow Dog Democrat." That is, I will vote for a yellow dog if he/she is a democrat rather than a republican. Not to say that I've never voted that way--I have, but admittedly, not very often.This blog comes from my frustration with social media and the need for political correctness in that arena. On Facebook I usually try to keep my political observations out of my posts and conversations, but in the last few days especially, found myself unable to remain silent about something that I am very passionate about. I've been "unfriended" on FB due to my political views, and been told (by my own daughter, no less) that politics are innapropriate in that venue. And I needed a venue, so here we are. I hope any readers enjoy what I have to say.
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