1. I had to laugh at the headline, because, duh, where has the headline writer been for the past few years?

But, I was under the impression all the recent Eyman initiatives have failed. Or so the press and Eyman haters claim.

I hear the word "tone deaf" to describe our legislators, governors and presidents of all stripes right now. That is a gentile and polite term. PIGS fit the bill.

Any other animals to describe our "leaders?" today? Vulture is too easy. Maybe a cross between a donkey and hyena would be better.

Posted by: swatter on June 26, 2007 08:31 AM

2. The PIGs in Olympia don't seem to be able to think outside the box. Rather than novel solutions to problems, it's always just another band-aid law or tax.

Eyman works within the system, but challenges the PIGs view of themselves as anointed and unassailable. Remember what Squealer had to say: "Do not imagine, comrades, that leadership is a pleasure. On the contrary, it is a deep and heavy responsibility. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"

For Gregoire and the Legislature PIGs, it is truly that all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.

Posted by: Jeff B. on June 26, 2007 09:08 AM

3. The problem is that voters often vote for somewhat contradictory things. For example voting for a big tax cut in property taxes while at the same time voting for massive pay increases for teachers and class size reduction.

We have a republic for a reason. Most citizens do not have the time or desire to become versed enough in government to really make policy. It makes a lot more sense to invest time in ensuring the right candidates are elected to office then to develop initiatives (especially unconstitutional ones ala Eyman)

Also the legislative process allows for deliberation and amendment. Take the smoking ban, something I completly support. Had it gone through the leg, perhaps it could have been amended to allow things like cigar rooms or to have a slightly less draconian distance restriction. With an initiative you are stuck with the language as written which few actually read.

Initiatives make people lazy by taking the attention of of legislators, who still make 99.9% of policy and focusing it a few issues.

Posted by: Giffy on June 26, 2007 09:09 AM

4. When I read the sound-off comments on Eyeman's article I have to laugh. Liberals get soo worked up when anybody besides themselves is allowed to speak, or propose initiatives. They cite the "Expansion of (non-tribal)Gambling Initiative" as a defeat for Eyeman with "over 60% of the vote". True it lost, but the net result is the State of Washington's Governor has recently allowed a massive increase in Gambling under an exclusive francise, which does nto benefit the people of the state, finanacially or otherwise. The Governor on the other hand personally benefits from substantial contributions from the tribes who hold those "exclusive" francises. Roads not fixed because of $30 tabs? Anyone around during the late 80's and 90's knows that the roads were not being adequately addressed when we were paying $300-400 a year for tabs.

But when it comes to initiaves to ban personal behavior items like smoking, lib's are all for it. Don't forget requiring Clean and Renewable engery sources that DOES NOT include hydro-power. And then there is the ever popular, let's reduce class sizes to improve quality in schools initiatives, but, the teachers union will settle for a pay increase instead. Sometimes you just have to sit back and watch the hypocrits squeal.

Posted by: Smokie on June 26, 2007 09:31 AM

5. Giffy, I was with you for about 1 1/2 paragraphs.

In this day and age, how do you find good elected talent? Pay rates for the legislature is small, it takes time if you have a real job and can't get away for 3 or 4 months, and who wants the hassle? So, your assumption finding good talent as the solution is not the solution.

Why can't people smoke? Why can't I own a business that allows smoking? My understanding is that the "science" of second hand smoking is not sound, either.

Posted by: swatter on June 26, 2007 09:39 AM

6. I don't trust Tim Eyman and I'm a voter.

Posted by: Cato on June 26, 2007 11:07 AM

7. Tim Eyman has done more good for the TAXPAYERS of this state than ANY Washington governor or legislator, EVER.

Posted by: Palouse on June 26, 2007 11:16 AM

8. I'd rather contribute more money to Tim Eyman than to contribute more money in taxes for politician to piss away on politically expediant white elephants.

Posted by: NW_Denizen on June 26, 2007 11:28 AM

9. I agree with Giffy we are a Republic for the reasons he lists. But the system also has plenty of checks and balances, and the initiative process is for when the Republic gets it wrong. There's no reason that Tim Eyman should not be able to do what he does within the system. And all of the tacked on emergency clauses, etc. are simply to erect barriers. Not to mention that the initiatives are still very republican in that Tim Eyman is doing all of the work in terms of discovering the needs and drafting the law. He's working much like a member of the legislature, but one that is outside of the Olympia power club and more tuned to the populace's needs. So the argument that voters are too lazy really does not apply because either way, there is attention required at times.

Olympia has an insular attitude, and that is the problem.

Posted by: Jeff B. on June 26, 2007 11:38 AM

10. I agree that we are better off with a pure constitutional republic than a pure democracy. But when the republic has grown in power to the extent it has, there has to be some other method to control it. Currently it has enough power to attract only people that seek power (which are not the people we want representing us). For the few that do not seek power but attempt to reign it in, they are often currupted once there by the power. The remaining few are too small to stop the cycle.

Initiative can fix this.

Posted by: Travis Pahl on June 26, 2007 12:07 PM

11. Travis: agreed! I am normally against initiatives on principle, but let's face it, no government is as perfect in practice as it is in theory, and initiative is a good way to right the wrongs.

Of course, even if I were in favor of getting rid of initiatives, which I am not, I would only aim to do so by amending the Constitution, not by underhanded means that literally and plainly undermine the rights of the people. It is fundamentally wrong to ignore those rights and bypass them. Either amend the Constitution, or follow it as-is.

Posted by: pudge on June 26, 2007 12:55 PM

12. Why do we (that's you--I quit) keep listining and re-supporting this man? Eyman has marginalized himself with his own corruption over and over. He has failed conservatism, he has failed the people, he has failed time and time again to even do what he says he'll do for the motives he claims he has to do it.
Let's figure out how to take back power in this state, and quit hoping Tim Eyman will do our legislating for us. He is a seriously flawed. If he was a Democrat, I'd say he was a crook.

Posted by: murtz on June 26, 2007 02:24 PM

13. Why do we (that's you--I quit) keep listining and re-supporting this man?

Easy. His initiatives represent common sense, smaller government, taxpayer protection and liberals HATE him. Those are all things worthy of support. He messed up previously on the compensation for his work and has since corrected that - good for him. I don't fault him for earning a living.

Posted by: Palouse on June 26, 2007 02:42 PM

14. CATO: if you don't trust Eyeman, FINE... THEN DON'T SIGN OR SUPPORT HIS WORK.

But damn it, if enough voters DO trust him enough to validate initiatives with their signatures then the PIGS and their queen have the responsibility to OBEY the will of the people.

How is it the "will of the people" is just grand ol' hunky dorry when it manages to get them elected but worthy of ignoring when they don't like it?

I am sick to death of this miserable (and about to become MORE miserable) state and the PIGS running (RUINING) it.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on June 26, 2007 08:12 PM

15. Oink Oink Oink - These politicians in Olympia are slopping at the taxpayer trough...

I agree Tim has done more than any politician in this state to return some of our hard earned money to us.

Go Tim and a special thanks to all of your team.

Posted by: GS on June 26, 2007 09:23 PM

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