WA State Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-44) was on Up Front yesterday, defending pork projects. We have more than a $2 billion deficit for the next budget, and a Washington Policy Center -- the "Piglet Book" -- identified more than $160 million of pork that could be cut. It's a good start.
But Dunshee was hearing none of it. When Robert Mak asked, regarding the state regulation of animal masseuses, "isn't this the way government grows and grows, by getting involved in these things?," Dunshee shrugged and said, "people come to ask us to do things, you know?," as if this in any way actually responded to the question. That was his response to pretty much every waste: "if people want it, and they come and ask for it ... ." The idea that he could, let alone should, say "No" was completely absent in his mind. He reminded me of the government officials in Ididocracy:
Joe: "For the last time, I'm pretty sure what's killing the crops is this Brawndo stuff."
Secretary of State: "But Brawndo's got what plants crave. It's got electrolytes."
Attorney General: "So wait a minute. What you're saying is that you want us to put water on the crops."
Joe: "Yes."
Attorney General: "Water. Like out the toilet?"
Joe: "Well, I mean, it doesn't have to be out of the toilet, but, yeah, that's the idea."
Secretary of State: "But Brawndo's got what plants crave."
Attorney General: "It's got electrolytes."
Joe: "Okay, look. The plants aren't growing, so I'm pretty sure that the Brawndo's not working. Now, I'm no botanist, but I do know that if you put water on plants, they grow."
Secretary of Energy: "Well, I've never seen no plants grow out of no toilet."
Joe: "Okay, look. You wanna solve this problem. So why don't we just try it, okay, and not worry about what plants crave?"
Attorney General: "Brawndo's got what plants crave."
Secretary of Energy: "Yeah, it's got electrolytes."
Joe: "What are electrolytes? Do you even know?"
Secretary of State: "It's what they use to make Brawndo."
Joe: "Yeah, but why do they use them to make Brawndo?"
Secretary of Defense: "'Cause Brawndo's got electrolytes."
The whole Up Front segment is worth watching. I especially love that Dunshee said he is "sort of insulted" that this $160 million is considered "priorities," because the real priorities which get most of the money are education, health care, and so on. Well, I am insulted that he thinks my tax money is not valuable enough to spend on more important things, and that the Democrats are wasting money on these and other projects while claming there's no more money to fix U.S. 2. If you are spending my money on these things instead of other more worthwhile things, then yes, it is a priority, by definition. And I am insulted that he is insulted almost as much as I am insulted that he is wasting my money.
Cross-posted on <pudge/*>.
Posted by pudge at May 05, 2008 07:30 AM | Email Thishttp://www.washingtonpolicy.org/Centers/government/policybrief/08_guppy_piglet.html
Posted by: pbj on May 5, 2008 09:20 AMHow come when I go to the Dems for a handout, I never get one? I asked for one Hans; how many people does it take to be the "people" asking for something?
Posted by: swatter on May 5, 2008 09:56 AMWhy didn't you listen to Sonics fans?
Come on this is so silly - the people's business is not about this kind of pork stuff.
Posted by: Col. Hogan on May 5, 2008 11:09 AMHere is a recent email exchange with Hans
From Hans,
This debate has been settled at higher levels than you and I. No one got a Nobel prize for your point of view.
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From: Snuffy
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 9:44 PM
To: Dunshee, Rep. Hans
Subject: It is time for change
It appears the Democrats are playing the climate warming card for all that it is worth. I would love to debate you on this issue at any venue you may suggest.
IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE IN OLYMPIA
Dear Snuffy,
Thanks for taking the time to write. Your comments mean a great deal to me.
In your letter you mention your concerns for the government being involved in the issue of global warming, and you ask for an explanation as to the need for bills such as HB 2815. The scientific community has a concusses on this issue and the message is clear. Global warming is real and we have a responsibility to make changes in the way we do things.
Scientist have been studying green house gasses since 1895, and they have known that green house gasses trap heat and warm the earth. Over the past three decades scientist have noticed how warming is intensifying. As the warming has intensified over the past three decades, scientific scrutiny has increased along with it. Other, natural explanations such as sunlight, volcanic eruptions and cosmic rays have been ruled out by Scientists.
The belief that implementing solutions to global warming will cripple the economy and cost excessive amounts of money is unfounded. There are companies who have already begun to reduce their heat trapping emissions, and have discovered they can actually save money by cutting pollution.
This bill will have a positive impact on industry by creating a green collar job training account to train and transition workers to clean energy jobs. It will also simply direct the existing Department of Ecology to develop and implement a program to limit statewide greenhouse gas emissions.
Thanks again for taking the time to write. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me in Olympia at 360-786-7804.
Thanks,
Hans
Rep. Hans Dunshee
44th District
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From: Snuffy
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 7:44 AM
To: Dunshee, Rep. Hans
Subject: ShP 2815
You are sponsoring a bill that creates an agency to monitor "green house" gases with no stated reason. Legislation assuring the quality of air and the purity of water already exist. Would you mind explaining the need for this bill and associated bills that will raise the taxes of Washington State by billions and severely impact businesses and individuals for no apparent reason real or imagine.
I recall having lunch with then Sen. Rick Bender, now head of the King County Labor Council. His comment was something like ..."a million here and a million there; it's all just chump change..." That's not a healthy attitude, when trying to stretch limited resources to cover the maximum in services.
I, for one, am hoping the return of performance audits will help to address this sort of nonsense.
Posted by: km on May 6, 2008 12:39 PM