Sound Politics: His ideas are terrible, but they're big!

April 16, 2007

His ideas are terrible, but they're big!

Saturday's P-I: "Friends, critics alike call Sims 'big ideas' man"

I don't want a politician with 'big ideas'. 'Big ideas' is a euphemism for making big government even bigger. When I think of politicians with 'big ideas', I think of Mussolini.

I look to county government to perform mundane tasks competently and cost-effectively: e.g. elections, jails, sewage treatment, etc.

But instead of delivering competent and efficient services, Sims gives us 'big idea' projects that purport to help create wealth more efficiently -- an obscenely expensive and ineffective light-rail boondoggle, unnecessary stadiums, and most recently, an effort to reverse the natural process of climate fluctuation.

If that's the outcome of Sims' big thoughts, maybe sometimes it's better to think small.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at April 16, 2007 11:09 AM | Email This

Comments

1. "Big ideas" = Bigger taxes

Posted by: TrueSoldier on April 16, 2007 11:04 AM

2. Nanny Staters want government to be all things to everyone.

Hear the Seattle Klowncil recently discussing recycling? Never-mind that Seattle already has one of the most Draconian recycling programs in the nation. Never-mind that often it costs far more to recycle than to simply reproduce. Never-mind that the lack of landfill space is a myth. Never-mind the extra imposition on the citizens. And never-mind the whole host of real problems and infrastructure maintenance that confronts a large city like Seattle.

Nope, the Klowncil and Sims prefer to waste time envisioning "big" and costly Utopian fantasies.

Posted by: Jeff B. on April 16, 2007 11:11 AM

3. the mussolini comparison is a very good one. both sims and benito m. fixate on trains, they are avowed statists, and they have zero respect for the rights of citizens.

Posted by: hates fascists on April 16, 2007 11:36 AM

4. big ideas + empty barrel = big noise. i'll settle for Good Home Training.

Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on April 16, 2007 11:38 AM

5.
You'd think that there were zero problems at home the way Sims and Nichols parade around the globe spouting off about "policy".

These guys need to chain themselves to the desk and start producing.

Showboats, and grandiose palladins are no longer necessary to grease the wheels!

Posted by: John Bailo on April 16, 2007 01:32 PM

6. Big Ideas? How about "Megalomania"?

Posted by: Torquemada on April 16, 2007 04:04 PM

7. Big ideas, such as Brightwater?
When Brigthwater opens in 2011 the sewage flows will be less than a third of the flows at the Renton facility. And the Renton facility flows are down significantly due to water conservation.
Some experts have indicated the plant is not needed. Brightwater will be the most expensive sewage plant in the US.
A king county council audit found poor contract management, which sewer managers convinced the Executive's office was not correct.
The audit went no where, despite being $400M over budget. The Project Manager for Brightwater now heads the Sewer Department. So much for accountability.
Big ideas, perhaps focus on "big ideas" in process through competent oversight.

Posted by: RJ on April 18, 2007 10:16 AM