The GOP Plan Is the Biggest Tax Increase in American History, By Far The big deficits in GOP tax plan aren’t a glitch — they’re the whole point. “Slashing taxes is going to cause big budget deficits. But the reason Republicans don’t really care is because they can use the resulting fiscal crisis to go…
I downloaded from the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission a spreadsheet listing contributions to political campaigns and initiatives. After loading it into a database, I ran some queries to see who’s spending the most. Over $60 million was donated to campaigns and initiatives in 2017, according to the PDC data. In 2016, over $144 million…
The Bellevue Planning Commission has recently suggested encouraging employers to stop subsidizing free parking by employees.  The intention is to incentivize people to use public transportation and other alternatives to commuting by car.  The benefits would be clear: less traffic congestion, less pollution, and a more pleasant environment. As expected, there’s a posting on nextdoor.com…
There has been a debate in the press recently about whether the state (nation) is fundamentally a source of exploitation and war, or whether it’s a civilizing influence on humans’ natural brutal nature. The debate has echoes of Jean-Jacque Rousseau versus Thomas Hobbes, as well as echos of FDR versus the Koch brothers. In short,…
I got a flier in the mail today from Friends of Jared Nieuwenhuis, Friends of Steve Fricke, and Friends of Phil Yin that says “STOP THESE CANDIDATES FROM BRINGING HEROIN INTO BELLEVUE.” The candidates referred to are Karol Brown, Lynne Robinson, and Janice Zahn. What a scare tactic! If this isn’t negative campaigning, I don’t…
In society there are rules of etiquette that enjoin us to respect political and religious differences. For example, at work, at the store, and on social networks such as nextdoor.com, we are expected to be nonpartisan and to respect differences of opinion. But given the racism, sexism, craziness, and all-round destructiveness of the conservative movement…
Women: “Can I have birth control?” Republicans: “No.” Women: “I couldn’t get birth control so I got pregnant. Can I have an abortion?” Republicans: “No.” Women: “I had the baby, but I’m out of work. Can I have WIC and food stamps until I get back on my feet?” Republicans: “No.” Women: “I found a…
“Some girls rape easy.” – Rep. Roger Rivard (R-Wi) “Rape is kinda like the weather. If it’s inevitable, relax and enjoy it.” – Clayton Williams (R-former Texas gubernatorial candidate) “From what I understand…If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” – Todd Akin (R-Mo) “You…
“A more progressive tax code, says International Monetary Fund, would both significantly reduce inequality and help grow the economy” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/10/12/imf-says-higher-taxes-wealthy-good-idea-and-these-billionaires-agree
1967 – Jayne Mansfield is killed when her car runs under the rear end of a tractor trailer. Since then, all trailers have a DOT bar at the rear to keep cars from going under them. 1982 – Seven people die when Tylenol packaging was tampered with. Since then, it takes a PhD, channel locks,…