http://www.tribnet.com/frame.asp?/opinion/0509b101.html

Back in the days when Republicans used to win statewide elections, Washington's GOP had a sense of what it meant to be a governing party.

It meant - among other things - not enthusiastically embracing irresponsible fiscal measures, however popular they might be with some constituents.

The state GOP's endorsement of Initiative 747 - "Spirit of 695" - last Saturday is a discouraging sign that many Republican leaders are still in a state of arrested adolescence when it comes to tax policy. The party's executive committee didn't merely endorse Tim Eyman's latest frontal assault on local government, it endorsed the measure 20-1 - as if the thing were less problematic than the Golden Rule.

In reality, I-747 attacks representative government by forcing public votes on all property tax increases beyond 1 percent, which is a fraction of the rate of inflation even in good times.

The election requirement is intended to be an obstacle - even for increases that simply reflect inflation and new development. Like I-695 and I-722 before it, I-747 is a cruise missile locked on to the basic services provided by counties, cities, school and fire districts.

Pierce County's leaders, for example, decided to build a new jail on the assumption they would have to raise property taxes by well over 1 percent (that statutory limit is 6 percent) for several years running. Under I-747, they would have to plead with voters each year for permission to keep the much-needed jail on track - either that, or make severe cuts elsewhere in a budget stretched so thin the county can't afford a minimally adequate number of sheriff's deputies.

Property tax relief could be done in a responsible way. Initiative 601 - which limits state spending - might be taken as a model. It employs a formula that factors in the real-world inflation and population growth that drive up demand for education and other state services. I-601 effectively limited the growth of spending, but it didn't take a wrecking ball to state government.

The state Republicans could have offered such an alternative. Instead the executive committee abandoned its own judgment and fell over itself endorsing Eyman's characteristically reckless handiwork. It's a great move if the party's chief aim is to burnish its credentials with government-haters of various stripes. But it tells other Washingtonians that GOP leaders are more interested in bashing government than in making it work.

A party that aspires to be trusted with the governorship or Washington's seats in the U.S. Senate has to do better than this.

05/09/2001

-- BB (bbquax@hotmail.com), May 09, 2001

Answers

Whine on, BB, whine on.

I hope it passes!

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), May 11, 2001.

to BB: You write: "In reality, I-747 attacks representative government by forcing public votes on all property tax increases beyond 1 percent, which is a fraction of the rate of inflation even in good times."

In fact, I-747 is a full frontal attack against the "police state" mentalities of the Republican and Democratic parties. The Republicans are wolves attempting to dress up in sheep's clothing. Their support for I-747 is disingenuous, if they don't specify what programs they plan to cut, or how they plan to raise the additional revenue without higher property taxes.

Contrary to your claims, BB, there are no problems with I-747. There are several ways the state can cut costs: 1) promote home-schooling. If families are willing to educate their kids at a much lower cost than the public school system, why would the average taxpayer complain? 2) end the "war on drugs" and free all prisoners who are in jail solely for drug-related charges and; 3) consolidate government buildings, closing down the least energy efficient.

There are also several ways the government can generate revenues without raising property taxes: 1) for highways with more than 4 lanes, convert the left-most lane to be part of a fee-for-use system. Not only will this generate revenue, it will also promote ridesharing, thus reducing congestion - a win-win for the average working family; 2) use the Sound Transit monies to build a toll bridge across Lake Washington. This will have the effect of spurring economic development, which will mean more sales tax revenues for governmental entities; 3) eliminate the gasoline tax and the sales tax on cars, replacing both with a revenue neutral annual license tab fee (say 3% of the car's value). License tab fees are tax deductible. Gasoline and sales taxes are not. The tax deductibility of the license tab fee will mean more money in consumers' pockets. This will translate into higher sales tax revenue for the government.

In addition, there will be nothing stopping governmental agencies from privatizing their services, allowing the marketplace to set prices, rather than "representative government". Furthermore, governmental agencies which choose not to be privatized will still have the legal right to increase fees or surcharges, although they are well-advised to get voter approval.

BB, a lot of people are growing tired of the creeping police state. I am less and less sympathetic to the argument that I must curtail my rights in the name of protecting the children; or the elderly; or the disabled or; the poor or; the environment; etc.

Society has become perverse. The person who takes care of his/her property end ups paying more in property taxes than a neighbor who hardly lifts a finger to make any property improvements at all. Why does "representative government" wish to penalize freedom of choice and personal initiative?

I-747 is not a panacea. But, one can hope that it will be the beginning of the end of the police state.

-- Matthew M. Warren (mattinsky@msn.com), May 14, 2001.

Matt,

Your last post was one of the most hilarious things I have read in a long time. Thanks for giving me a good laugh.

-- BB (bbquax@hotmail.com), May 15, 2001.

Still going to be laughing after it passes?

You didn't like 695 either, as I recall... neither did the TNT. Unlike your position, and that of the TNT and rest of the liberal whiners, the Worlddid not fall off it's axis; we continue on as a society, and Western Civilization did not end.

The GOP more closely reflects the will of the people of this state. And when 747 passes, the Wrold will not fall of it's axis, society will survive, and Western Civilization will survive.

SImple, really.

-- Westin (jimwestin@netscape.net), May 15, 2001.

>>You didn't like 695 either, as I recall... neither did the TNT. Unlike your position, and that of the TNT and rest of the liberal whiners, the Worlddid not fall off it's axis; we continue on as a society, and Western Civilization did not end.<<

I'd ask you to provide evidence for your claim that I, or any other opponent of 695 for that matter, said the "world would fall of its axis," "society would not continue," and "western civilization would end" if 695 passed, but what’s the point? It’s much more fun to watch you make it up as you go along, Kelly.

To get back to reality, many potentially negative impacts of 695 never happened because its most important provision, the requirement that all tax increases be voted on, did not last.

>>The GOP more closely reflects the will of the people of this state.<<

Yes, that's why people like Slade, Carlson, Koester, etc. rolled to such stunning victories last fall...oh, wait, they didn't.

It's this kind of thinking that got you fired, isn't it, Kelly? You'd think that the party who more "closely reflects the will of the people of this state" would've done better than Lands Commissioner and Secretary of State, wouldn't you?

Frankly, I think that it's sad that the Washington State Republican Party sank to such lows in the last election, but given who was Executive Director at the time, it really shouldn't be all that surprising, should it?

>>And when 747 passes, the Wrold will not fall of it's axis, society will survive, and Western Civilization will survive.<<

Would you mind telling us who has claimed otherwise?

-- BB (bbquax@hotmail.com), May 18, 2001.

>>You didn't like 695 either, as I recall... neither did the TNT. Unlike your position, and that of the TNT and rest of the liberal whiners, the World did not fall off it's axis; we continue on as a society, and Western Civilization did not end.<<

>I'd ask you to provide evidence for your claim that I, or any other >opponent of 695 for that matter, said the "world would fall of its >axis," "society would not continue," and "western civilization would >end" if 695 passed, but what’s the point?

Go to library.

Find dictionary.

Look up "rhetorical."

You're being as disingenuous as you are childish if you think that your side of this issue didn't claim that 695 would be a disaster.

I could list all of the lies you and your fellow liberals posted here and elsewhere about what the effects of 695 would be... but what's the point? You already know you and your fellow travelers were wrong. And when 747 flys to another win, you'll be wrong then as well.

>It’s much more fun to watch you make it up as you go along, Kelly.

That's uh, Jim, Tim.

And, by the way... nothing I've said here is "made up."

> To get back to reality,

Not possible for you, my good man.

> many potentially negative impacts of 695 never happened because its > most important provision, the requirement that all tax increases be > voted on, did not last.

Next excuse?

Look, Tim, the fact is that if we had been allowed to vote on taxes, like we'll be allowed to vote on any gas tax increase, the answer would have been "no."

But how many of YOUR tax rates have gone up without your say-so since 695 passed?

What it boils down to here is that while revenues were cut, the disasters you and the other Winged Monkeys proclaimed were going to happen... didn't.

Clearly, you have no greater idea about what's going on, or what's going to happen after this passes, then you did then.

If only you could be man enough to admit you were wrong...

>>The GOP more closely reflects the will of the people of this state.<<

> Yes, that's why people like Slade, Carlson, Koester, etc. rolled to > such stunning victories last fall...oh, wait, they didn't.

Well, we all know why these fine folks lost... and it has nothing to do with their positions. All three of their opponents, but Cantwell in particular, bought those elections fair and square... and lied thru their teeth while doing it.

But the fact is that you and the other idiots that have their blind allegience to the democrats OPPOSED 695; OPPOSED 676 and 677; OPPOSED I-200, and will oppose 747.

THAT is proof. You refuse to believe it, but then, as you have proven, delusion is a key element to being a liberal or a democrat.

> It's this kind of thinking that got you fired, isn't it, Kelly?

That's uh, Jim, Tim.

"Fired?" "Fired" from what?

> You'd think that the party who more "closely reflects the will of > the people of this state" would've done better than Lands > Commissioner and Secretary of State, wouldn't you?

As I have proven, you're no more right about that then you are about my name. But as an intellectually bankrupt liberal, making names up is about all you CAN do, eh, Timmy?

> Frankly, I think that it's sad that the Washington State Republican > Party sank to such lows in the last election,

Now you're reduced to lying? Tsk, tsk.

> but given who was Executive Director at the time, it really > shouldn't be all that surprising, should it?

HHHmmm.... Lemmee see....

MY web search indicates that the Executive Director of the Party on Election Day was....

Wait a minute... the damn frame jumped...

Why yes... it was Pam Brady. So, it wasn't surprising to you that in your opinion, the Republicans did so poorly with Pam Brady as the Executive Director?

Bizarre perspective on your part... but no more then usual.

God...you WInged Monkeys are so pathetic.

>>And when 747 passes, the World will not fall of it's axis, society will survive, and Western Civilization will survive.<<

> Would you mind telling us who has claimed otherwise?

It was all over that silly-assed editorial from the TNT... or didn't you bother to read it?

Since you asked.

Westin

(Who is sincerely hoping that you'll make it a little more difficult next time, so I have to work a little harder to humiliate you. This time was TOOOO easy.)

-- Westin (jimwestin@netscape.net), May 18, 2001.