Sound Politics Public Blog: Which one will Rossi cut?

May 23, 2008

Which one will Rossi cut?

Which ones has Rossi proposed we cut?

None. And yet we are told by his campaign that he is for small government. I think his theory is that if he points out Gregoire raised spending by 33% he is free to not only keep it at that elevated level but continue to raise it another 32% because it is better than her.

I will only support candidates that give proposals that would cut government agencies. I hope other conservatives will join me. If enough do we may have a decent candidate in 2012.

Posted by tpahl at May 23, 2008 08:21 PM | Email This

Comments

1. I guess you are staying home this time, as I have yet to hear any politician talk about cutting agencies. I do feel it is a good idea to cut the fat out of governmnet too, but I will take Rossi over Gregoire anyday. We have seen what she has and will do. As for your comment about dinno raising it another 32% I seriously doubt that. I have heard talk that he wants to sit down with state auditor, Brian Sontag, to see what government waste there is in the seperate departments that can be cut. So yes he may not cut out an agency, but he may do even better by streamlining some or all agencies. Perhaps he will even look at holding say the different departments accoutnable for their budgets, unlike Gregoire, we will see more bang for the buck.

Posted by: TrueSoldier on May 23, 2008 10:04 PM

2. Rossi has complained about the 33% increase but he has not once suggested he would cut 33% from the budget. In fact I have not heard him say he would cut the budget at all, just that he would not increase it as fast as gregoire has. So any cuts he does within agencies will not overall reduce our tax/spending burden.

Besides, I am not looking for a politician that thinks he can manage my money better than the last one (which is what Rossi is proposing). i am looking for politicians that take the approach that we the tax payers are better at managing our money than any politician ever could be.

Rossi has not once conveyed that idea.

Posted by: Lysander on May 24, 2008 05:24 AM

3. After a cursory glance at the list, Here are SEVEN that can be eliminated/combined into *ONE* CITIZEN AFFAIRS 'COMMISSION'... although why we need this BS is beyond me.

African/American Affairs, Commission on
Asian Pacific American Affairs, Commission on
Biodiversity Council, Washington
Hispanic Affairs, Commission on
Indian Affairs, Governor's Office of
Minority and Justice Commission, State
Minority and Women's Business Enterprises, Office of

Here are TWO that should be eliminated all together. This is AMERICA - we speak English. Yeah, yeah scream intolerance or whatever. I'm already over it.

Employment Security Department - Spanish
Labor and Industries - Spanish

Privitaze and we lose one more:

Liquor Control Board, State

FIFTEEN more that can fall under ONE Agriculture and Food commission

Apple Commission
Asparagus Commission
Barley Commission
Blueberry Commission
Dairy Products Commission
Beef Commission
Fruit Commission, State
Fryer Commission
Northwest Cherries
Potato Commission
Red Raspberry Commission
Seed Potato Commission
Tree Fruit Research Commission
Wheat Commission
Wine Commission

These ridiculous mini-specialty money burners are no different thant the LOBBY groups that liberals and leftys whine about constantly... except WE pay for them.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on May 24, 2008 11:52 AM

4. You could make private half of this state government and not only balance the state budget, but produce Billions in surplus revenues that could and should be turned back to the tax payers of this region.

Posted by: GS on May 24, 2008 04:52 PM

5. Great list Ragnar. And that is your first pass at it. Just imagine if you were running for governor and took a little more time doing it how many you would get. Yet Rossi has proposed ZERO. If elected he would not reduce the 33% spending increase he rails against gregoire for 1 penny. Very disappoing the two choices we have.

Posted by: Lysander on May 25, 2008 08:08 AM

6. Ragnar, why combine these departments when they can all easily be eliminated?

I hope the Libertarians run someone.

Posted by: Bruce Guthrie on May 25, 2008 08:55 PM

7. You're wrong lysander, he has proposed replacing the head of the DOETHAFR (Department of eternal Tax hikes and Fee raises), headed by non other than your governor Gregoire.

Posted by: GS on May 26, 2008 10:38 AM

8. Puhlease!!! You are showing your naivete on how government works!! No one can cut an agency. Each time an agency is formed it is for a valid reason. The problem is that after a couple of years the regulators become meshed with the regulated and nothing gets done.

Are you suggesting cutting out the Social Services? Health District? School districts? You have to get real and hope you keep the rate of growth low and win more battles than you lose.

I suppose you call me a RINO for thinking this, or a pragmatic, or some other nonsense, but you need to get a grip and go after the bloated government when and where you can.

Posted by: swatter on May 27, 2008 02:07 PM

9. Swatter:

Puhlease!!! You are showing your naivete on how government works!!

Actually I beleive it does not work.

No one can cut an agency. Each time an agency is formed it is for a valid reason.

I disagree. It is usually formed for a bad reason and continues because neither party nominates candidates that are serious about cutting the size of government.

The problem is that after a couple of years the regulators become meshed with the regulated and nothing gets done.

Hence my earlier comment... Government does not work.

Are you suggesting cutting out the Social Services? Health District? School districts? You have to get real and hope you keep the rate of growth low and win more battles than you lose.

No. I am suggesting that Rossi and the state GOP leadership are not serious about cutting government since they have not proposed cutting ONE SINGLE agency. As that list shows... there are plenty that could be cut without touching education or health.

I suppose you call me a RINO for thinking this, or a pragmatic, or some other nonsense, but you need to get a grip and go after the bloated government when and where you can.

How about I call you a supporter of the current bloated state government? Is that a fair statement? If not, how about you tell me which agency you would like elliminated?

Posted by: Lysander on May 27, 2008 05:01 PM

10. Even if Rossi didn't cut a damn thing, we'd be better off with him then the forever grow government to the max Gregoire. She has added 8,000 employees in for years. She and Gary Locke have now added 28,000 employees in 12 years.

Posted by: GS on May 27, 2008 09:08 PM

11. GS:

We might be better off in the extremely short run but in the long run we would be far worse off.

In other words Rossi may be the better choice but that does not make him a good choice. We can never expect a good choice until we start saying no to the bad choices we are being given.

Posted by: Lysa on May 27, 2008 10:47 PM

12. The queen BINGES (again) but never, ever purges, hence the bloating... and we pay the price.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on May 28, 2008 08:57 AM

13. The proof is in the pudding. When Rossi was Chair of the Senate W&M committee in 2003 he managed to eliminate a record deficit without raising taxes one dime. And that was while battling a Democrat controlled House and Governor. Just imagine if he's the governor what he'll be able to cut.
And obviously, Pahl, you haven't been listening to any of Rossi's speeches because he does talk about cutting government. Maybe not an entire agency but what's better? Cutting 20% of the budget for 50 agencies or cutting 100% of the budget for one? It's time to come back to planet earth. That's the problem with all you Libertarians. I don't disagree with your setiments, it's just that I live in a place I like to call "the real world". So unless you're ready to stage a coup and seize dictatorial power then all you say is just a pipe dream.

Posted by: WFP on May 28, 2008 10:29 AM

14. Just to let you know I am following your discussion.

And my original comments still stand.

Posted by: swatter on May 28, 2008 10:36 AM

15. WFP:

I was actually listening to a Rossi speech on the way home. He talked about how he cut spending back in 2003. His examples solidfy my impression of him. He talked about having government lease cars for 5 years instead of 3. Or not have some agency go on a retreat at the skamania lodge for a weekend. He spoke about how all those little things add up.

I agree 100% with all his small changes. They make sense. I would not support a candidate that does not support those type of things.

But do you think the problem in Olympia is that the government agencies are too loose in their spending? I think that is a problem but a minor one in comparison to the fact that many if not most of these agencies are unnecessary and work counter to a productive and free society. Do you agree?

I think Rossi is worrying about a sliver while a is beating us collectively over the head.

Posted by: Lysander on May 28, 2008 10:31 PM