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Good bye, Dwight
Dwight Pelz announced his upcoming retirement as Chair of the Washington State Dems, effective Feb, 2014. Someone pointed out that Pelz helped raised $8 million for the Democratic Party in 2012. (I have not verified that figure.) But Pelz was viciously hostile towards Dennis Kucinich, when the former Congressman visited Washington State two years ago…
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Protest movements: how to make them more effective
I spoke with an activist from the 60s who said that change won’t come til there are massive protests like those that happened during the Civil Rights movement and the anti-war movement of the 60s. She also said that the FBI and other government entities harassed protesters and infiltrated the movements, so don’t expect it…
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Anti-I-522 literature funded by Grocers Association, DuPont, Dow, Monsanto and Bayer
Yesterday I got a glossy flier in my mail box containing propaganda about I-522, Washington State’s initiative to require GMO food labeling. At the bottom of the flier, it says, “Top five contributors: Grocery Manufacturers Association, DuPont Pioneer, Dow AgroScience LLC, Monsanto Company, Bayer CropScience.” The No on 522 campaign’s website is http://factsabout522.com/.  The Yes…
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GOP ransom message to America
(author unknown)
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Do poorer people in Washington State oppose income taxes more than rich people?
The Washington Post reported a few days ago that Washington State has the most inequitable tax system of all states. See The state that taxes the poor the most is… a blue one and the graphic on the right, from ITEP. In Why ‘progressive’ voters will balk at the income tax proposal, the claim is…
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One way to save money, the environment, and journalism
I subscribe to The Nation, The American Prospect, Harper’s, Mother Jones, and The New Yorker. In addition, I belong to various progressive advocacy groups. So it seems like almost every I get letters in U.S. mail asking me to renew my subscription or donate money to some cause. Often the same organization sends me multiple…
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Inequality for All, opening in Seattle on Sept 27
Inequality for All A Passionate Argument On behalf of the middle class a film by Robert Reich Opening at the Harvard Exit Theatre on Sept 27 Robert Reich is a best-selling author of thirteen books, Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, former Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration, and a foremost expert…
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Feedback to Governor Inslee on what's needed
Please vote for this idea on Governor Inslee’s suggestion page. Governor Inslee has a comment form where citizens can make suggestions and vote on ideas for improving the state. It says “Governor Inslee: “I’m working to make sure Washington has a prosperous economy, world-class schools, sustainable energy and a clean environment, healthy and safe communities,…
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John Green's engaging and informative analysis of US health care (video)
ORIGINAL: By the incomparable John Green, who says the following about his sources: “For a much more thorough examination of health care expenses in America, I recommend this series at The Incidental Economist and The Commonwealth Fund’s Study of Health Care Prices in the U.S. Some of the stats in this video also come from…
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The "Majority Coalition" hearing on transportation, in Bellevue
There was an overflowing crowd at Tuesday night’s Transportation Forum in Bellevue, organized by the “Majority Coalition.” Senators Curtis King, Tracey Eide, and Rodney Tom officiated, with numerous other public officials in attendance, including Senator Steve Litzow, Rep. Larry Springer, Rep. Ross Hunter, and Rep. Tanna Senn. Many politicians testified, including King County Chair Dow…