This picture was taken at the end of the Kirkland 4th of July parade. (Love the hula hoop on the right, and the little dog on the left.)
Isaacs has a fascinating personal history.
Isaacs, 64, who was born and began raising his family in Jamaica, recalls being forced to leave by the rampant crime and oppressive taxes and business regulation that he says followed the election of a socialist government in the 1970s after the island achieved independence from England in 1962.
"It was a 'blood and thunder' time," Isaacs said. "If you were a member of the other party in the wrong neighborhood you could get killed."
At the age of 24, Isaacs had taken over his father's business importing and distributing consumer goods such as watches, typewriters and calculators around the island. His brother did land development and real estate on the island. Frightened by the murder of several friends and concerned for the safety of his American wife and three daughters, Isaacs applied for and received a green card in 1977 on what he calls the "proudest day of my life."
(I have long believed that we can learn from those who had to flee other countries.)
Isaacs is no professional politician; instead he has worked as a home builder and a realtor. He has served the community in other ways; he's an elder in the Bellewood Presbyterian Church, and has been a soccer dad.
His experiences in Jamaica and in small businesses would make him a valuable legislator, especially in a legislature now filled with so many public employees and professional politicians.
Here's his campaign site, for more information.
Posted by Jim Miller at July 26, 2010 02:30 PM | Email ThisPosted by: ivan on July 26, 2010 03:26 PM
Yeah, and how 'bout all them human-beings; IMO, much more interesting than hula-hoops and dogs. :)
Posted by: Duffman on July 27, 2010 05:16 AMHere, Here! That's the problem with our current political system in a nutshell, both locally and nationally. Too many of the imbeciles in charge of the purse strings have never done a balance sheet and wouldn't know where to begin to draw one up. They have no concept of budgeting and figure the money will just come from somewhere like some magical pixie dust (see Obama for an example of this type of naive thinking).
Posted by: Rick D. on July 27, 2010 05:33 AMHe doesn't like taxes. Promises to balance the budget by spending cuts, but he can't say what he'd cut. In other words, the usual Republican blather.
I don't like taxes either, but I realize we need to pay for government services. If Harris can tell me what he'd cut, then I could consider whether it sounds like a good idea and whether I should support him.
But he won't; he just wants me to believe in magic.
Posted by: scottd on July 27, 2010 08:38 AMNow that's amusing coming from one of the passengers on board the 'hope and change' express. I'll take this guy over the filthy lot of politicians we have back in DC and here in Olympia anyday. As a business owner, he understands finances- Perhaps he can tutor Queen Christine on the nuances of that discipline during his free time.
The Tea Party has been driving the GOP in some areas, because the GOP appears rudderless. In this election, the lesser of two evils will have some traction. I recall back to 1994 with the contract for America, then fast forward ahead to 2001 to note that the GOP had abandoned its principles they set up in 1994. There is a lot more on the line than there was then.
Many are waiting to see what GOP candidates will do to right this sinking ship. When will the politicians get the message ? There is a little over 3 months remaining - time will tell.
He should feel free to start anytime -- and no need to restrict his tutoring to the governor.
If any Republican wants to tell us how they would restrain spending without cutting essential services, I'm all ears. I might even vote for them.
But I'm not holding my breath.
Posted by: scottd on July 27, 2010 05:34 PMJustly yet minimally regulated, free enterprise will always be successful if government allows it to function without excessive, overbearing regulation. Free Enterprise must be re-energized to increase employment, and entrepreneurs must be encouraged to pursue new ventures, which will result in increased employment, and higher revenues to the treasury.
As I recall, it was excessive, overbearing regulation of the Republican led Bush administration that led to the nation's biggest bank failure ever in 2008, WAMU by preventing WAMU from pursuing new ventures. The resulting de-energized financial sector pushed the economy in to the biggest recession in 2 generations.
Fortunately Isaacs has the prescription the residents of the 45th District with their 401Ks are going to love to hear... Back To The Future.
So you prefer turning away money like the governor did back in 2005 with the tribes? Interesting.
"I rejected the gambling compact because I realized that realistically, what would the state do with $140 million a year," Gregoire is quoted as saying in the statement, referencing her 2005 decision to turn down a gaming compact between the tribes and the state. "I mean really, Washington State's economy is literally the envy of the entire planet. We don't need the tribes' money."
How this dunce was elected a second time is truly baffling considering that extremely ignorant statement. The tribes scratched her back and she laid on hers for them (politically speaking of course).
Posted by: Rick D. on July 27, 2010 07:15 PMInteresting that you would think that although you have nothing to base it on.
I've just asked that Isaacs treat us to some of his financial wisdom so we can evaluate it. What's unreasonable about that?
Posted by: scottd on July 27, 2010 11:01 PMIt makes you look gullible and foolish -- and you certainly don't need any help with that.
Posted by: scottd on July 27, 2010 11:14 PMPoor guy, he's been through this twice now.
Posted by: Jeff B. on July 28, 2010 02:58 AMSo tell us what your opinion is of Queen Christine pissing away an agreed upon contract with the tribes that could have brought 140M a year into the state coffers. Could we use that money today? Instead of whining about what the Republican candidates may or may not do with the purse strings, I suggest you point that over-critical looking glass at the party that is in charge in Olympia, and has been for over 30 years.
Otherwise, you look foolish and petulant. Which in this state appears to be the required traits for those that self-identify as Democrat's.
@16 you tried to pass a complete fabrication as fact. It's still not clear whether you even realize this because you haven't acknowledged that Gregoire never said the "quote" you attributed to her. So that makes you either dishonest or clueless. Either way, not much point in talking to you.
Posted by: scottd on July 28, 2010 09:34 AM@16 you tried to pass a complete fabrication as fact. It's still not clear whether you even realize this because you haven't acknowledged that Gregoire never said the "quote" you attributed to her. So that makes you either dishonest or clueless. Either way, not much point in talking to you.
Posted by: scottd on July 28, 2010 09:35 AMI mistakenly posted a farcical quote attributed to her (by the naked loon), but the fact remains that she pissed away 140 million dollars a year because she's a political whore for the tribes. If you can't answer the question i posed to you just say so, scott. Obfuscating from the truth like a petulant child is not answering the question I asked. So, Scottd, can we use that 140M that the Queen waived off with a flutter of her hand back in 2005? Or are you just going to stomp your feet and continue with your navel-gazing blather?
Posted by: Rick D. on July 28, 2010 09:56 AMRick has already admitted that he'll post as truth whatever crap he comes across -- without bothering to see if it's true. He's willing to believe anything as long as it reinforces his ideology.Since I don't have time to fact-check his every utterance, I think it's better to just ignore him.
Posted by: scottd on July 28, 2010 12:53 PMRick has already admitted that he'll post as truth whatever crap he comes across -- without bothering to see if it's true. He's willing to believe anything as long as it reinforces his ideology.Since I don't have time to fact-check his every utterance, I think it's better to just ignore him.
Posted by: scottd on July 28, 2010 12:54 PMHe's willing to believe anything as long as it reinforces his ideology.
I'm not the one that refuses to admit what many Washingtonians are aware of and was widely reported by every newspaper in the state. A simple question to answer, scottd. The only question is whether you have enough integrity to admit that we (the state of Washington) could use the 140M a year (that's 700 million to date) the tribes agreed to fork over to the state coffer's before Chrissy nixed the deal in a quid pro quo. I won't hold my breath waiting on a truthful answer from you though.
Posted by Rick D. at July 28, 2010 01:22 PM
From what I have seen and read, scottd is too much of an ideologue to be able to admit that.
That's pretty rich, coming from someone who's ready to believe anything on the internet as long as it has a right-wing slant.
Anyway, the topic of this thread isn't Gregoire -- it's Mr. Isaacs, who wants me to vote for him. He promises to balance the state budget without raising taxes. You and Rick seem to think it's unreasonable to ask for details. Why is that?
Posted by: scottd on July 28, 2010 11:07 PMWell, KDS sure called that one (see #31). scottd trusts those bureacrats that have been in power, spent beyond their means and left the state in a budget deficit for years now as opposed to someone like Isaacs that has run a business, understands how to live within his means, and promises to take that same philosophy to Olympia.
Completely irrational and illogical thinking on scottd's part, but then, that is the very definition of a rigid ideologue.
Posted by: Rick D. on July 29, 2010 05:19 AMClueless as ever. Larry Springer has owned and operated a retail business for years.
So what's Isaacs' plan? Let me know if you find out. Otherwise, you're telling me I should just vote for him because he's a Republican and has a philosophy you approve of. If that's not the definition of a rigid ideologue, I don't know what is.
Posted by: scottd on July 29, 2010 06:09 AMWow, Duffman. You just described the current president of the United States to a Tee. Apparently "hope and change" is specific enough for scottd when it comes to Democrat's in political office (see ideologue). scottd prefers more of the same from the idiots in Olympia rather than putting new blood in there that will attempt to stop our state's spiral in the direction of California. Clueless or willfully ignorant is the only way to describe someone that could advocate for more of the same in Olympia.
Posted by: Rick D. on July 29, 2010 08:59 AMI would also like to see a debate featuring the three GOP candidates for the US Senate and have expressed this - if the GOP does not provide a forum for this, they are shirking their responsibility, IMO. A debate featuring Rossi, Akers and Didier would make the winner of the primary stronger than if there were no forum.
If no forum for these candidates is held before the August 17th primary, I would believe that they aren't bright enough to understand this, which would lead to probable the reelection of Murray.
I always have believed that it is best to wait until they are at least second generation before voting them into public office. (Their parents might have been born abroad by they were born or at least left the other country by say before they left the toddler stage).
I would even go as far as saying ideally we should wait until they are fourth generation (all four grandparents born in the US). At the least that should be the requirement for President and at least the ideal for every other office.
Also I don't know how I would feel voting for a "colonial". I remember John Kerry's wife. Boy did we dodge a bullet there.
Posted by: Steve on July 30, 2010 02:08 PM