Voting Record

Hello.

Yet again I have done my civic duty and have voted.  This time I thought I would do something a bit different and post how I voted and why I voted the way I did.  Now I am not going to reveal EVERY vote, since most are minor and just frankly are boring as all get out (West Electoral District Judge Position No. 1 anyone?).  So Let's begin.

-President of the United States:  Michael Scott Robinson  (write-in)

For me a no-brainer.  I am personally not a big fan of either candidate.  As people I have no problem with them, I just find them to be same sides of the same coin- both Party men.  And because of the Electoral College my choice is not a big deal in the state I live in.  You see, Washington State has not gone Republican for a President since 1984.  So if I liked the Republican candidate, my vote would be lost.  And if I liked the Democrat running, I would just be part of the normal Blue deluge.  So I decided that if I am going to 'throw away my vote', why not to someone I completely trust?

-United States Senator:  Maria Cantwell

Unlike her fellow Senator Patty Murray, Maria has not really done anything boneheaded during her time in office.  I am sure Maria's competition is a fine politician, in this case I prefer the Devil I know.

-U.S. Representative Congressional District No. 7:  Ron Bemis

I can not stand Jim McDermott.  He is an embarrassment of a politician, but that's not the reason I refuse to vote for him.  The reason I won't will probably not make much sense to those who have never been in the military.

To his credit, Jim DID serve in the military during the 60s-70s.  So he served while the Vietnam war was going on.  The problem is he has been caught NUMEROUS times claiming he served IN the Vietnam War, inferring that he served overseas there.  He got no further than California.  This act is one of the biggest acts of disrespect a veteran can do to another.  It's like me saying I served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  I did not.  I was active during that time and I did serve during it, but I never got further than Virginia.  If I said differently, it would be a slap in the face of those who did go over there and fought, bled, and died there.  McDermott is like the one private that was in my Guard unit when I came back to Washington.  Technically I could have added the Desert Shield/Desert Storm ribbon to my Class A uniform, but I wouldn't.  The other private did.  He was shunned by everyone for that act, since he was the only one in our unit who did. 

-Governor:  Rob McKenna

The funny thing?  If Rob lived just about ANYWHERE else than the West Coast, he would be considered a Democrat.  Even his joining the lawsuit against 'Obamacare' was because of the possibly unconstitutionality of the 'fine' that would be levied for those without health insurance.  You notice he now more or less agrees with it when the Supreme Court deemed that the only way the 'fine' could be constitutional was if it was actually a 'tax'?  My impression is of a man who wants what's best for the people of our state, unlike his opponent, who throughout his career has pretty much just seeking power.

Jay Inslee is EVERYTHING I hate about politicians.  He puts the Party over the People, and just wants the power and prestige that comes from higher office.  I wish the Youtube video was still available where, during a debate with his opponent 2 years ago, was asked point blank if he would be running for Governor, since Gregoire has said she would not seek a third term.  Now if you followed the history of Jay Inslee, you knew the answer.  He failed to get the nomination in the past (he lost to Gary Locke) and everything he had done since that defeat was to get the position.  So how did he answer?  He lied.  He told his constituents he was going to give his all as their congressman and that running for Governor was the LAST thing on his mind.  Cut to a year later...

For the rest of the state offices, I basically alternated between the two Parties, putting the Party I thought would be a better fit for the office.  For example, I voted to have Brad Owens back as Lieutenant Governor and James Wilkins as State Auditor- a Democrat and a Republican respectively.

Initiative 1185:  Yes

This is the 2/3 approval for tax increases provision.  I believe that if the state truly needs a tax increase, you should easily be able to gather 2/3 of the votes needed to pass it.  The last time we DIDN'T have this law in place, the State went crazy with tax hikes, and then as insult to injury slapped EVERY one with an 'emergency' clause, making it so they couldn't go to a referendum vote of the People.  (Thank you, Gregoire...)

Initiative 1240:  Yes

The charter schools initiative.  My reason for approving this falls directly at the feet of the WEA.  While I believe most teachers are good and care about the students, the WEA does not.

EVERY year one of our school districts goes on strike, officially because it's 'for the children'.  Yet even if they are given everything they ask for except the money, unless the pay hike is include, they say no.  For the children indeed.  Also, on a slight tangent, they are the ONLY industry that can strike and not suffer for it.  They still get their full pay, since the government won't shorten the school year.

This initiative will add something desperately needed:  competition.  If the WEA realizes they are no longer the game in town, they might actually start working harder for the kids to prove they are worth the cash we always seem to throw at them.

Initiative 502:  yes.

Ah, the pot initiative.  A no-brainer to me.  Legalize it, tax it, and reap the benefits.  Legalizing it helps eliminate one of the biggest drains on the economies of ALL levels of Government:  The War on Drugs.  You legalize it, it becomes cheaper to purchase and the drug trafficking will greatly diminish.  Do I realize this is mostly symbolic?  Yes, I know Federal law will still trump State laws.  But it is like the next vote I made:  if enough states follow suit eventually the nation will come around.

Referendum 74:  yes.

Gay marriage.  A hot topic at the moment.  While I would prefer that the Government would choose my idea of how to solve this problem (I.E. get the Government to stop issuing Marriage licenses and instead issue everyone Civil Union licenses.  If a person wants marriage, they can go to the religious institution of their choice to do so, but that is not recognized by the Government.  People currently married are grandfathered in.  This idea also removes the potentially sticky subject of the First Amendment conflict of the separation of Church and State (Although I know that is not what the First Amendment ACTUALLY says, it fits.).) this will work.  While I understand the concerns of the people of religious backgrounds, I think it is time to let this happen. 

So there you go.  If you want to let me know what you feel about my choices, let me know.  But I will give you 2 warnings:

1.  Keep it civil.  This IS my site and my thoughts.  I like being challenged, but not insulted.  And if you ARE going to challenge me then-

2:  Party talking points are NOT tolerated.  NO 'War on Women', NO 'Adam and Eve NOT Adam and Steve', NO 'Tax the Rich', NO 'Death Panels' etc.  Think for yourself, people.  You are better than what the Parties think of you...