King County Dems resolve to withhold endorsement from candidates who advocate cuts to Social Security
At its Tuesday night meeting, the King County Democrats approved a resolution opposing the Chained CPI cuts to Social Security. The resolution concludes with the following strong words: “going forward, we will refuse to endorse or support any federal candidate that either votes for or advocates for cuts to Social Security, and that all candidates…
Thoughts on the Supreme Court's DOMA ruling
In yet another ruling that will bolster the Republicans, the Roberts court strikes down DOMA. I’m in favor of gay rights but am disturbed that our political system gives us marijuana legalization and gay rights but not economic justice, fair elections, or peace.
Join the Human Chain Against the Chained CPI in Olympia on July 2!
Tue, Jul 02, 2013, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Tivoli Fountain – in front of the State Capitol 1201-1285 Capitol Way South Olympia, WAÂ 98501 Join us Tuesday July 2nd as we join hands to form HUMAN CHAINS AGAINST THE CHAINED CPI in events across the country. This National Day of Action will showcase the broad…
On the local option for transit funding
At the Bellevue forum on transit funding, Rep. Judy Clibborn described how a Republican legislator probably won’t support the local option for transit funding that is being considered by the legislature, HB 1954. According to that bill, King County, for example, could tax locally to support Metro Transit, which will otherwise have to cut service…
Sen. Doug Ericksen promotes climate change denial, weakens toxic control act, and accepts the most free meals from oil industry lobbyists
Last week Republican state Senator Doug Ericksen won a victory for Big Oil when the legislature passed, and the governor signed, SB 5296, which weakened the Model Toxics Control Act. The legislation was the result of a deal between the state House and Senate in which the Senate agreed to pass a fix to the…
Is Andrew Cuomo another Barack Obama?
I read an excellent article in The Nation by Eric Alterman, “Cuomo v.s. Cuomo.” Alterman describes how Andrew Cuomo (current governor of NY and son of former governor Mario Cuomo) is socially liberal and, unlike his father, economically conservative. Andrew Cuomo passed gun control and gay marriage. But he’s extremely anti-tax. He cut taxes and…
Finnish education, the best in the world, is public and based on equity and cooperation, not choice and competition
From Finnish Lessons, by Oassu Salberg: “The Finnish experience shows that consistent focus on equity and cooperation — not choice and competition — can lead to an education system where all children learn well. Paying teachers based on students’ test scores or converting public schools into private ones (through charters or other means) are ideas…
Big Oil wins in state legislature, in an apparent quid pro quo for estate tax fix
[Revised and corrected. 2013/06/23] Thursday night the state legislature passed a bill, SB 5296, that weakened the Model Toxic Control Act. I got email from Washington Conservation Voters asking me to thank legislators who opposed the bill. See Support our kids; end the Big Oil Tax Loophole. According to Washington Environmental Council, the weakening allows…
Sam Seder: Economic Libertarianism is a fantasyland
Sam Seder nails it about libertarians and their puerile fantasies. Building codes needed to protect against earthquakes?  “Are people in Haiti more free because they’re out from under the scourge of building codes?” Government needed for safe water and food? A fire department? “If you’re lucky you’ll be able to convince the rest of the…