WIB's 2006 General Election Endorsements
Federal:
U.S. Senate:
Vote Cantwell. In her freshman term, Cantwell performed. She fought for environmental causes in Puget Sound and is hell bent to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from drilling. She saved Snohomian's from Enron, worked on campaign-finance reform and championed identity theft protection. She's also quite a politician. Case in point: She's stood behind W. on national security and Iraq without "cut and run" Democrats here noticing, so she's even got something to offer local conservatives on that front. While McGavick is a formidable opponent, Cantwell deserves the opportunity to continue her work. If you need more details about Cantwell's platform, ask Christy.
U.S. Reps, Districts 1 and 7
Jay Inslee and Jim McDermott are going to win in landslides in their respective districts. No further explanation needed here.
U.S. Rep, District 8
Vote Reichert. With a potential majority flip in the House, this is a race with high stakes and a national audience. You couldn't pick two more opposite candidates. They disagree on nearly every issue. Here's the bottom line for me: He's a a career police officer. She's a Microsoft manager, but has no public service background. The challenger needs to give me a reason to vote out the incumbent, but I can't find one. He hasn't been an outstanding congressman, but he hasn't been bad and isn't encountering an opponent deserving of his seat.
State of Washington:
Initiative 920: State estate tax repeal
Vote No. As Ally pointed out to me, this tax on the wealthy only burdens 250 Washington families a year. Most families jump through loopholes to avoid it by distributing money to charities and non-profit organizations. That's fine by me. According to The Stranger, "The $100 million raised annually through the estate tax goes into the cute little coffers of the Washington Education Legacy Trust. The reluctant sacrifice of those 250 families provides Washington colleges with funds to enroll 7,900 more students and decreases class sizes in K–12 schools statewide." So unless you pity the wealthy elite, I'd suggest voting no.
Initiative 937: Requires utilities to use renewable energy
Vote Yes. Saving the environment is a good thing. It'll make Chris Brown happy, too.
House Joint Resolution 4223: Tax exemption for small businesses
Vote Yes. Small businesses need a break to stay competitive, and, culturally, we need small businesses to keep charming cities like Bellingham from turning into Federal Way.
King County:
Proposition 1: Allows county to sell land purchased in 1910
Vote Yes. If the county doesn't have any use for the land, sell it to someone who does.
Proposition 2: Sales tax increase for buses
Vote Yes. In general, Washington transit systems blow. Any dollar we can send to public transportation in the Puget Sound is a good thing. Then maybe Portland will stop making us look so bad, and I'll start taking the bus to work.
City of Seattle:
Proposition 1: Tax increase for road, bridge and bike lane maintenance
Vote Yes. You hate to pay for it, but you also hate changing a tire blown on a pothole or would greatly dislike dying under a collapsed bridge.
Referendum 1: Upholds new strip club regulations
Vote No. Before you call out "pervert," see my previous post for reasoning.