This website has published a series of articles challenging the constitutionality of I-1053, the voter initiative that imposes a 2/3 super-majority requirement on the legislature to raise taxes or eliminate tax breaks. See I-1053 is apparently unconstitutional, How our legislators should deal with I-1053 and the references therein. The issue of the constitutionality of I-1053…

Had we elected Dennis Kucinich, pretending that were possible, I wonder just how that would have translated into Republican votes for progressive legislation, fewer filibusters, or a diminished corporate influence on Congress. President Bush managed to ram his agenda through. As it turns out, there are no corporate interests opposing deregulation, or tax cuts, or…

Critter’s Crap breaks down economics for us. It’s really quite clear. Over a long period of time, the numbers show that the economy grows at a rate of 2.1%. We can and should have a discussion about steady state economics in light of resource depletion, but for the purpose of evaluating economic activity, income and…

Washington State is undergoing redistricting, in response to changes in population. At Sunday’s Legislative Action Committee meeting, Sarajane Siegfriedt passed around a redistricting map of King County. Districts which have grown in population (compared to the average) are shown in red and need to shrink. Districts which have shrunk in population (compared to the average)…

Workers’ compensation “reform” (Summary: Washington State Labor Council President Jeff Johnson says that House Speaker Frank Chopp and other House Dems deserve strong praise for standing firm and protecting the current workers’ compensation system. Call Chopp and thank him. Call Gregoire and Lisa Brown and ask them to rein in the Senate Road Kill Caucus…

Seattle Council of Move-On.org will be joining in support with Seattle Teachers that received pink slips to protest Chase Bank for avoiding State Taxes. Where:  Chase Bank located at 1919 North 45th Street, Seattle, WA 98103 When:  Saturday May 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM Who:  Seattle Education Association, Social Equality Educators, King County Jobs with…

The era of 9/11 may have been brought to a close last week with the killing of Osama bin Laden. President Obama spoke of bringing to justice bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. He praised the sacrifice of the firefighters and police who lost their lives on that fateful day. Perhaps we can…

I am thinking about suggesting that the progressives, radicals, and rabble (that’s me) consider sending out an SOS. Yes, an emergency call.  I think we are there. In this instance I think the SOS will be an emergency call for a Summer of Solidarity (think Summer of Love). Those of us who voted in 2008…

State Rep. Roger Goodman is indeed running for Dave Reichert’s 8th CD congressional seat. It seems like Goodman strong on the environment and judicial issues.  He has a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard and a stellar resume. Goodman’s web page description (from http://www.goodmanforcongress.com/about) gives me hope that he’ll be a strong candidate and…

The NWroots Conference for progressives on July 9th, in Pioneer Square, is now accepting online registrations. NWroots is an opportunity for local writers, readers, activists, elected officials, and progressive candidates to meet in person. The event will feature panels, public officials, a candidates’ social, keynote addresses, documentary screenings, and workshops. A strong line-up of speakers,…