Correct, we keep doing what we have always done and we get the same result! Wake the **** up!
This is a good discussion and it's a conundrum to be sure, do your research and most importantly VOTE and get someone you know to vote too....I know that I just don't want my vote to be nothing more than a "protest vote"..........
I have had the opportunity to be involved a little in the state political system that a lot of people don't get to do....after all the general election voting is done, committee assignments made, circles drawn....once they're in, they pursue their
own agendas on a mandate with only 46% due to a spoiler vote.....and then what are you stuck with?
Via my job, we were looking for a simple review of a current licensing RCW that hadn't been revisited since it's implementation in 2000, and had the licensing Agency support (it was a Small Business RCW...you know the guys that create 80 percent of the jobs).
I went to all of my
Republican elected officials ( the guys that are supposed to like small business) to seek sponsorship. Here's how the interview went:
Me: Thank you Senator/Representative for taking the time to see us. This is our draft legislation, the issues, and here is the Agency Director sitting next to me, that supports our bringing this forward. We have had five public hearing across the state to seek input and have incorporated their comments into our legistation. We provided you our proposed legislation three weeks ago are requesting your sponsorship of our bill and would like to answer any questions that you may have.
Senator Thank you for coming in. I haven't had time to read this, but I will try to get to it. Most importantly though, can you tell me what groups there are who will be opposed to any part of this bill that you are proposing?
Me There are none, sir...
Senator Well, I can hardly believe that NO one would be opposed to this bill, there's always SOMEONE who's opposed to any Bill. I think that you haven't done your homework and need to make sure, when you have done that, contact my office and set another appointment....But
my agenda that I am working on in this short session is important, I am
very busy now drafting a revision to the the state constitution to address the Police shooting in Parkland, and this will take all my time, you can 't imagine how many calls my office has had, so you should really try to find another sponsor.
On the other hand, I recently had a newbie running for election on the Republican ticket come knocking at my door running against Tami Green (D):
He was: Retired Military, Grandfather, Long time resident in our community, served on this and that local community board of something or other,(all on his handout).
Supported: Education, Community Safety, Better roads, and Responsibility in Government, Oh, and a Balanced budget....
So, says I:
Can you tell me who the current Senate Majority leader is...Answer: Well, no
Can you tell me who the current Senate Chair for the committee that approves Education budget?.......Answer, Well, uh...no
Can you tell me who is the Committee Chair responsible for approval of the budget for the state police and interagency agreements with Counties and Cities?
Answer..., Well, uh ...no
So, hoping that the new guy will figure it out, and as part of the minority party in Committee assignments, and working his way up through the ranks to sponsor any legislation, and getting anything done in the next two years.....as opposed to the incumbant who is experienced, networked, seated on key committee's....etc....
Is it any wonder the re-election rate of incumbants is so high?
So, anyone that can help me figure that out? Toss them all out! or not?...(The founders, cleverly precluded a total vetting of gov't).
So, now, I am a new Independent voter after being a lifelong Republican and am in that Swing Vote Block....but am still plagued by the question....Be careful what you ask for..
