What do you want to hear about at Sound Politics? Really, tell me.
Stefan and Matt have asked me to become a contributor, with the intent of stirring the pot a bit. Some readers will know me from comment threads on various topics at this site. They know I'm a strong conservative, but an unpredictable one at that.
With that unpredictability in mind, I'd like your ideas for topics you'd like to see discussed here, within the confines of the state and local political scene. Who knows, I just might run with it.
And for those that are interested, here are my specs: my day job keeps me busy at the US Department of Education where I'm the Deputy Secretary's Regional Representative. I was formerly Director of Public & Government Affairs for the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association. Before that I worked for former US Senator Slade Gorton in both his Senate office and on the campaign trail. Speaking of which, I've worked on a number of campaigns ranging from City Council to President.
Currently I'm also serving in public office, on the Snohomish County Charter Review Commission where I'm one of the group's Vice Chairs. The Commission's duty is to examine the County's Charter (literally it's "Constitution") for possible changes to recommend to the voters this fall. Those of you in Snohomish County might be interested in that, and those of you in King County as well given recent calls to change that county's charter to actually elect the director of the county's elections office...imagine that.
I live near Lynnwood with my gorgeous, intelligent, and sarcastic wife and our two precocious children.
Posted by Eric Earling at July 02, 2006 08:15 AM | Email ThisWould also like to hear more about the system whereby voters elect people to represent them and then the representative is allowed to hire
staff to advise them. Whatever happened to elected officials representing the voters, not just the staff members who advise them, ¨´´Not to waste time talking to actual voters¨´´´
Seriously, welcome aboard Eric, watch out for the nasty folk.
Posted by: TedR on July 2, 2006 09:14 AMSo Liberal~John, it's really special to see that you're still here. So how's the suicide watch going?
Posted by: alphabet soup on July 2, 2006 11:00 AMI'd like to hear more about Doug Roulstone and his bid to reclaim the 2nd Cong. Dist. seat for Republicans. Does he have a chance?
Also, McGavick looks to be spending some time up in your area these next few weeks, how about a round-up of local news stories? What are the voters up there thinking about him -- or what are they saying about Maria Cantwell...etc.
Great to have another voice here on SP, and with your background, I'm sure you'll do a fine job!!!
Posted by: Patrick on July 2, 2006 11:30 AM* exposes of government waste ellucidated by the auditor and how the agencies are remedying these gaps
* more spotlight on Snohomish Co. ineptitude
* DOT analysis; shortcomings; successes
* Initiative coverage including discussions and wish lists
* I'd like to see you be a plant in any podcasted chapter of 'Drinking Liberally' so that you can bring down their buzz with facts and rational cognitive ability.
Posted by: Thr33of4 on July 2, 2006 11:43 AMRighties against the war; do we only give aid and comfort to both the bad iraquis, but also to our local liberal nut jobs? Can we oppose reasonably?
Rightwing thought leadership; back in the Reagan days (i wasn't a big fan, though he was a lightweight), we sureh had him backstopped by some great small government thinkers. Where'd they all go? No Milton Friedman, nobody basiclaly. And we have no moral compass, save for the talk radio guys, who i tire of.
Manifesto for righties in a forever leftie states; maybe its smarter to keep our mouths shut (i likely think not, but its worth a debate)
Why are our rightie candidates such dunces? Is it cuz smart righties don't care to waste their time?
Is there a right wing, conservative, principled way to oppose rampant growth? even global warming?
Posted by: righton on July 2, 2006 12:19 PMBefore posting, figure out the consensus "conservative position" and take it. The most important thing is never, ever to deviate even slightly from the Teachings of the Hive.
Alternatively, post whatever you want, but ignore the comments.
Posted by: ScottM on July 2, 2006 12:49 PMI feel like we are being "prepped up" for a whole new slew of taxes and spending this next session by recent news releases.
Gregoire is expecting a recommendation from her health care board, a transportation board is working and she had a press release about property taxes.
Our MSM isn't really doing a decent job during the legislative sessions on bills that are passed during the session. I was shocked to learn that playing poker (wagering money) on your home computer is NOW a class C felony in this state.
I also expect to see a law introduced that will outlaw smoking in your car and possibly your home around kids, while I don't, I wonder where the "nanny" state laws will end?
Posted by: sgmmac on July 2, 2006 12:57 PMSure craigs list is free, but the format is crap and no barrier to listing complete crap as well.
If I have to sell a car, motorcycle or truck load of wood, I'd rather put a buck in the SP tip jar than the Seattle times.
Posted by: Andy on July 2, 2006 01:23 PMThe SP site meter say's this this do well.
Posted by: Andy on July 2, 2006 01:27 PM
Stir the pot you can't be serious?All you
did was add another person that agrees with
you most of the time.Before anyone says that's
just sour grapes on your part.I'm long since
past that.Lets not kid each other I knew long
ago it was never going to happen.
If you had any guts you would have asked
someone (well I will just say it anyway)
like me.Once again its not sour grapes
on my part.If you were serious about stirring
the pot that's what you should have done.
Tim Sheldon (D-35th Dist) is being shelled by his own party for NOT being a liberal enough. He has been accused of being too much like a Republican to be allowed to stay in the Democratic party.
So the 50 Democrats meeting in Olympia decided to back a Queen Christine staffer in his place.
Nary a mention of this entire incident has been made in this blog.
Posted by: Mike P on July 2, 2006 05:27 PM
I think you are even less informed on how to "infiltrate " than John McDonald. First of all, "righties" do not believe in pseudo science like global warming. You can go to the equine anal blog for fantasies like that.
Tell Dwight Pelz he is really pulling from the bottom of the barrel when he sends lightweight like you over. even John McDonald, the liberal, is, though not bu much, more convincing.
If liberals want a lesson on how to behave to pass as a credible conservative, it would probably best not to spout liberals talking points right off the bat.
I would also to like to see more analysis of the money trails in this state. Examine the specific donations from tribes, unions, trial lawyers, etc and the votes and legislation that comes out of Olympia. We all know our state is bought and paid for by these groups, but it would be nice to reference research of these facts when the usual suspects come calling.
Posted by: Palouse on July 2, 2006 05:44 PMI know that this topic makes Republicans squeamish because it tends to split the party, but this is an issue where politicians really need to put the future of this country ahead of politics.
So you consider yourself a strong conservative?
I don't how missed that the first time I read
your new voice announcement.The stir the pot
part took me by surprise so I missed it.
What I'm about to say may upset you but I'm
going to say it anyway.Eric you are no more
of a conservative than Mike McGavick is.So
please stop trying to convince everyone that
you are.Now I know this will probably prevoke
you into saying something stupid about Susan
Hutchison. Don't do it,she has nothing to do
this and she is not running. Nor is this Doug
Parris or the Reagan Wing, this me talking and
no one else.
Stefan and Matt wanted another contributor
that was just like themselves. Trying to
spin it to generate more interest isn't going
work.Now I'm sorry to be so hard hitting here
but I am one who will let the truth get in the
way of a good story.
Thanks for posting.
Let's see, much to deal with and little time. I know you don't speak for the Reagan Wing or Doug, so I'm not sure why you brought that up. Nor do I know why Susan Hutchison has anything to do with this thread. As you well know from my previous comments at this site, I think well of her but am glad McGavick is our guy this year. So again, I'm not sure where she has anything to do with this conversation.
And actually, I am more conservative than McGavick, for starters on campaign finance reform and the environment/global warming. Beyond that, you really wouldn't know much about me since your posts are obsessed with intra-party GOP politics and McGavick, so please don't presume to judge something you know little about.
Speaking of which, Matt & Stefan can speak for themselves about why I'm here, but let me give you just a couple topics off the top of my head I disagree with them on: with Stefan on taxes for transportation, and with Matt & Stefan on public support for stadiums. I'm sure there's more, but that's a good start.
In the meantime, carry on, and have a good 4th.
I don't like the rampant growth that is happening in my city (Lacey -right next to Olympia.) Every day I see more and more chopped down trees. Our traffic is a disaster and we now have watering restrictions because the city doesn't have enough water for all of the current residents and the thousand new homes being built down here! I am a strong supporter of property rights and I would have seizures if I lived in rural King County and someone told me I couldn't build two houses on my land!
Everyone is different and I personally like reading a myriad of opinions and philosophies.
The Republican State platform is very ultra conservative and it violates the US Constitution in reference to denying citizenship to someone born in this country. That will never happen and you are barking at the moon if you think it will.
I see that both Phil & John, just couldn't wait to spout-off!
gezzzz
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on July 3, 2006 06:45 AMI am a strong property rights supporter, I am disgusted by all of the property seizures across America and will most probably vote for the initiative being talked about here in Washington.
But I do believe in planning and controlling growth. I can only water my yard 3 days a week now because our city has ran out of water rights. The Dept of Ecology has a 10 year backlog of water requests...... A year ago, a house would sell in less than 5 days, my neighbor's house has been on the market for over a month and they've lowered their price almost 60,000 dollars and it still hasn't sold. Could be, because there are over 1000 houses being built in our city and that's not counting the thousands in Olympia, Tumwater and Yelm.
We don't have the streets, the city services, the schools or any other necessary infrastructure to support such exploding (rampant) growth.
Posted by: sgmmac on July 3, 2006 08:44 AMHe cited growth as the reason for the exploding revenue, but streets and infrastructure don't get built until years after unmanageable growth has occurred.
Posted by: sgmmac on July 3, 2006 08:59 AMOur city council is trying to get a Cabela's, they just received a grant from the state to do work on the I-5 exit/entrance and the street to support the traffic from Cabela's.
If you come south on I-5, our new business development is in Hawks Prairie, right off of I-5. The street was just widened to two lanes each way, and lots of round-abouts were added to relieve traffic. The traffic is ugly again, we only have two main streets going each way through the city and our I-5 access streets are a congested mess. We are NOT the parking lot that Seattle is.
The City Council has been under "fire" for all of the growth. People don't like it when they see 20 acres of huge Douglas firs clear cut for Wal-Marts, COSTCOs and parking lots. I would prefer a mix of both. I retired here because I love the "green stuff." If I want to see nothing but concrete, blacktop and buildings, I can move back home to Las Vegas.
And I love Wal-Mart!
Posted by: sgmmac on July 3, 2006 10:25 AMSo, do tell us, Eric, where you are conservative at the philosophical level. On anything.
Posted by: Doug on July 3, 2006 05:22 PMAnyone who has seen our exchanges before knows you're farther to the right than I am (and most of humanity for that matter), not that there's anything wrong with that. But, for the benefit of those that might actually be reading this, and since I am more conservative a good majority of people in the country - and definitely in the Puget Sound area - I'll respond briefly with some examples of conservative positions I hold:
Taxes - at the federal level I'd prefer something close to a flat tax, though at the local level you'd probably consider me an apostate on taxes related to transportation.
Energy - I'm a very strong advocate of expansion of energy exploration and production in the United States, though I deviate from other conservatives on my preference for an emphasis on conservation as well (albeit through incentives rather than mandates).
Social Security - I'm an adamant believer in significant Social Security reform, including a system that puts part of its resources into personal accounts for individuals to control.
Healthcare - I favor radical reform of our healthcare system, and was dismayed the passage of the Medicare drug benefit did not include more substantive reforms of the Medicare system to make it more market-based, with individual choices for beneficiaries.
Government spending - this is the area where our current Congress deserves its lowest marks for failure to prioritize spending and live up to the ideals of the people that elected them.
Property rights - here again I'm a strong proponent; actions like last year's King Co. CAO drive me bonkers.
Education - I believe with great passion in continued education reform, with a focus on accountability and choices for parents/students, though I suspect you and I would disagree on the particulars of how the current status quo should continue to be changed.
Foreign policy - I believe in a muscular American foreign policy, that utilizes international institutions (for what they're worth) where appropriate, and goes it alone when our interests necessitate it. I generally concur with Bush's foreign policy (and Truman's), compared with that of say Carter or LBJ.
Judges - I strongly support judges in the mold of the conservative wing of the current Supreme Court (Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, & Alito). I believe 43's overall success at all levels of the federal courts system in this area will be one of his lasting legacy items.
Faith - I think religion (particularly a Judeo-Christian foundation), whether one practices it or not, is a fundamental component of who we are as a nation.
Founders - my favorite founder is Alexander Hamilton, which should give further insight into my philosophical point of view.
How about some Snohomish County type of politics? Are you a Bart person next year? Why or why not?
Explain your future vision (if you will and I hate that term "vision") of transit; you will now have better opportunities with your own blog. No one has really explained to me why all these billions are needed for rail.
What's happening with Charter Review? Only thing I have heard is about how to set salaries for elected officials in the County (which is on all their minds).
What about the taxes? With property values going up 15-25% this next year, the mood by the Democrats in your County (and in others) and State is to spend it. Are there any politicians out there that will be courageous and demand to toe the line or at the very least, put some in a 'rainy day' fund?
I don't know if these are questions you can write a blog about, but I just threw them out there for you.
Posted by: swatter on July 5, 2006 07:46 AMPerformance measures, business plans (you know, the ones Council claims are at the forefront of KC's 2006 Budget), training & motivating employees and other tools of effective management can be boring fodder, but failure to use them can get pretty interesting--think Elections or the Sheriff's Departments.
We've tried throwing money at the problem, salaries for KC management is competitive, but their performance lags seriously. The administration is totally preoccupied with partisan defensiveness and putting lipstick on the pigs, but if we really think the KC workers who actually have a clue are getting the support they'll need to make systemic changes, we need to take another look. And another and another.
What I would like to hear is that you're using your space to make a difference by taking a look beyond the lipstick (under the skirts might be fun too!). Maybe relentless embarassment will work where common sense has failed!
And what would I NOT like to hear? One more word of self-serving partisanism. Of course you have no control over the comments you receive, but when regular contributors participate in that kind of commentary, it forces readers to discount everything you write. In my opinion, it's counterproductive, it exacerbates problems and it undercuts the potential of this powerful medium.
(That last comment isn't aimed at you, Eric. I'm new to blogging and not familiar with your style.)
Thank you for asking!