Sound Politics: Gregoire's Peculiar Contradictions

September 12, 2008

Gregoire's Peculiar Contradictions

Jason Mercier makes a good catch over at the Washington Policy Center blog, discussing the $400 million in tax increases that were passed by the state Legislature and approved by the Governor in 2005.

There's an odd twist: Gregoire won't actually call them tax increases. To which Mercier asks:

If these aren't tax increases, what exactly are they and why did the Governor and Legislature feel the need to suspend the 2/3 vote requirement in 2005 to adopt them?

The answer is probably something similar to that which explains why Gregoire keeps claiming the state doesn't have a budget deficit as we speak - a semantical way of avoiding the multi-billion dollar budget deficit everyone knows will be awaiting the next Legislative session come January.

It ain't "straight talk."

Posted by Eric Earling at September 12, 2008 06:49 AM | Email This

Comments

1. As long as socialists/communists hold elective offices, there will always be waste, fraud and extremely higher taxes. The good people of this state need to hold a mini-revolution and throw these bums out on thier collective rear ends. In fact, a little jail time wouldn't hurt either. They could be called "re-education camps". Teach them to love and repect the US Constitution and to hate the communist manifesto.

Posted by: Allan Rothlisberg on September 12, 2008 07:05 AM

2. But Allan, who are you going to replace them with?

We had plenty of discussions regarding the lack of quality candidates on the R side. If they were suddenly thrown into a major reversal, would they do better? Couldn't do worse for sure, but as soon as they were elected they would be running for reelection. And that is the problem.

Posted by: swatter on September 12, 2008 07:20 AM

3. If the rules were changed that only tax payes can vote, there would be a real shakeup in Olympia. Those who don't pay taxes shouldn't be allowed to vote. We should also elect judges who do not legislate from the bench. Electing people who actually beleive in personnel and economic freedom will make great legislatures....no more communism.

Posted by: Allan Rothlisberg on September 12, 2008 08:26 AM

4. If there is no budget deficit, then why did she freeze state hiring and she is going to a 4 day work week? This is what I like about liberals; they have this unique ability to ignore reality and lie. It just not small lies or differences in interpretation; it's big huge lies that goes against reality.

Posted by: Thomas B. on September 12, 2008 08:45 AM

5. Those who don't pay taxes shouldn't be allowed to vote.

Alot of retired senior citizens don't pay taxes, but have their entire lives. Are you arguing that they shouldn't be allowed to vote?

Posted by: Palouse on September 12, 2008 09:22 AM

6. Democrats will claim no tax increases all the time but hide it with fees. Unelected Government management increase fees all the time no vote from the Legislature. Remember the last Governor one line vetoed the requirement that he had to sign his name to the fee increases unelected official or new fees put on businesses. He did not want to take responsibility.
So too the Queen will claim I did not increase taxes. They are fees. That is not tax increase. Yet increase the income coming to the state and revenue increase to government is a tax they just change the name so they can make the claim NO NEW TAXES.
Basically Democrats can tell a lie by changing the wording they use. But overall since the Democrats have controlled everything they have increased the cost of each citizen that lives in this state.

Posted by: David Anfinrud on September 12, 2008 10:59 AM

7. Senior citizens who paid taxes thru-out thier lives would be exempt and lumped in with other tax payers. People who live off of welfare would not be allowed to vote. All tax increases should have to be voted on by those who will pay them. Property tax increases must be approved of by property owners. Sales tax by all those who pay sales tax (sans those on wefare). This is the right and fair thing to do. If one doesn't contribute to the tax base, they shouldn't have a say in what is taxed and how it is spent. A good rule to live by is less government is best government.

Posted by: Allan Rothlisberg on September 12, 2008 11:39 AM

8. since the Democrats have controlled everything they have increased the cost of each citizen that lives in this state..

Very true. I knew it was coming, and I noticed that I paid special property taxes for ferries that I don't use, and for flood levies in a flood plain that I don't live in. These were two stealth taxes the KC Council passed without a vote of the people. I wonder how many people noticed.

Posted by: Palouse on September 12, 2008 12:08 PM

9. Allan's comments are designed to inflame. It's a really nice troll attempt. Sound entirely plausible while you say something completely idiotic.

I'm sure he realizes just how next to impossible something like that would be and how entirely unfair. If you are a citizen your voice should be heard. Period. Basically Allan is saying that an entire subset of the population is worth less than another. I'm pretty confident that is exactly what the founding fathers didn't want.

Posted by: Mr RcGuy on September 12, 2008 12:34 PM

10. Keeps getting Better...

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/olympiadispatch/story/314843.html

Friday, Sep. 12, 2008
Another poll shows Rossi leading
The latest Rasmussen Reports poll shows Republican Dino Rossi leading Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire 52 percent to 46 percent. It also shows more good news for GOP presidential nominee John McCain.

This comes on the heels of this week's SurveyUSA poll, which also showed Rossi narrowly leading and McCain closing in on Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

"Last month, Gregoire led the race by four points and she has now lost ground in four straight monthly polls," according to the Rassmussen poll.

The poll was conducted of 500 likely voters on Wednesday. It also showed Rossi was viewed favorably by 55 percent of participants while Gregoire was viewed favorably by 53 percent.

In the presidential poll, Obama leads McCain 49 percent to 47 percent. Obama was up by 12 points in the same poll a month ago.

(Hat tip to PolitickerWA.com)

Posted by: Glenno on September 12, 2008 12:43 PM

11. There are senior citizens who don't pay taxes? That would be news to my father. What about sales tax? Gas tax? Or is property tax the only "real" tax.

Posted by: Paula on September 12, 2008 01:03 PM

12. Newsflash: Senior citizens DO pay property taxes, some of them taxed right out of their completely paid for homes.

Posted by: katomar on September 12, 2008 03:15 PM

13. No kidding, they do. Which seems almost criminal to me.

Posted by: Paula on September 12, 2008 04:00 PM

14. Katomar, I totally agree. Island County is taxing people out of their homes, and King County is right behind them tacking on hundreds each year for rediculous ferries that right right along the normal ferries, half empty.

It is a damn disgrace, pure greed, and rediculous taxation in this state.

Gregoire deserves to lose, Rossi will reign in this massive spending spree.

McCain and Palin will drag the blue haze out of this state...

Posted by: gs on September 13, 2008 04:28 PM

15. Katomar, I totally agree. Island County is taxing people out of their homes, and King County is right behind them tacking on hundreds each year for rediculous ferries that right right along the normal ferries, half empty.

It is a damn disgrace, pure greed, and rediculous taxation in this state.

Gregoire deserves to lose, Rossi will reign in this massive spending spree.

McCain and Palin will drag the blue haze out of this state...

Posted by: gs on September 13, 2008 04:28 PM