1. Sounds like we can expect a few more cartoons from Horsey - on the wrong side of the issue like always.

Politicians HATE initiatives - they keep undoing all the "good work" they accepted so many bribes for completing. The most common opinion of any politician is that the electorate is too stupid to be allowed to mess with lawmaking and all forms of citizen initiative or, even worse, recall of elected officials, need to be abolished.

Posted by: H Moul on December 5, 2006 12:33 PM

2. Tim Eyman should go away. He adds no value...and in fact, has moved things backwards by his lying, cheating, stealing manipulation of people towards his own, mercernary ends.

Why isn't he in jail anyway? Wouldn't any other person who steals like he did (and admitted) be arrested and locked up -- protecting the rest of us fom his thieving?

C'mon...more jails and jail time for Eyman. That's an initiative I'd vote for!

Posted by: JimTBob on December 5, 2006 12:49 PM

3. Well, of course, Gregoire would say that the legislature has used its taxing authority with discretion. The legislature reinstated the new estate tax so fast it was still smoking when Gregoire signed it. And the voters in November were stupid enough to keep the estate tax because they think only the "fat cats" will ever pay it.

I have news for them. The so-called "fat cats" are leaving the state in droves and the money flight will only accelerate in the future.

Then, when they don't get enough money for education from that tax, they will lower the levels where it kicks in, add those who own farms and also raise the rates and soon almost everyone will pay it.

Posted by: Clean House on December 5, 2006 12:53 PM

4. The operations of this new group-CIA is typical of action conducted by the SSR of Washington....more in tune with Cuba, Russia, China, et al than with our representative Republic. The real Americans should do what ever is needed to get rid of the socialsits in this state...as well in all others. Then and only then will this Republic achieve the greatness that is still untapped.

Posted by: Allan Rothlisberg on December 5, 2006 12:57 PM

5. With the dems having an even bigger majority in both houses, expect an assault on the initiative process like never before.

Posted by: Steve (was Steve_Dog) on December 5, 2006 01:11 PM

6. Geeeez, you conservatives just don't learn, do you?

Did you not see what happened on November 7th? It was the death knell of Reagan Republicanism.

Where we are now in America is the direct result of conservative ideology.

America gave conservatism an honest try since 1980. Fortunately, for the future of America, the chapter of conservatism, like McCarthyism, the Republican Southern Strategy of racism, has come to a close.

America was founded by Liberals, not conservatives. Only LIBERAL & Progressive thinkers could have created our system of governance, not over reaching religous zealots like you idiots.

Finally, patriotic Americans voted out the conservative crime family and reinstalled mature, LIBERAL adults to leadership positions in our nation.

Bush, a Reagan Republican, has failed at every CEO position he's ever held, and the presidency of the Untied States of America is no exception.

Why do you think his dad got teary-eyed talking about the leaderhship qualites of his son? And I'm not talking about his loooooooser son, George, either.

Posted by: Liberals Are Patriotic, Conservaties hate the Constitution. on December 5, 2006 01:40 PM

7. #6. What a treasure trove of misinformation, misconception, and twisted history you are! No wonder your party symbol is a jackass.

Posted by: sro on December 5, 2006 01:53 PM

8. The rich people are leaving in "droves?" I would like to see the empirical data for that.

At this point, who really trusts the "I"-man to follow through, as opposed to his recent history of convincing that rich chucklehead to give him more money to keep himself in the manner to which he has become accustomed and then falling short? Even if you think his initiative is a good idea, would you be willing to give money or time after Tim's recent performances? I think Tim's 15 minutes are just about up.

Posted by: wayne on December 5, 2006 02:04 PM

9. would you be willing to give money or time after Tim's recent performances? I think Tim's 15 minutes are just about up.

Uhh, his most recent initiative to implement meaningful performance audits, PASSED. And by a good margin.

Someone has to look out for the taxpayers in this state. He's the only one doing it.

Posted by: Palouse on December 5, 2006 02:13 PM

10. Top seven list of spooky ghost stories Puget Sound progressives tell their bed-wetting off-spring:

Californians
Wal-Mart
Tim Eyman
Charter Schools
School Vouchers
Karl Rove
People who don't shop at PCC or Whole Foods

Posted by: Tyler Durden on December 5, 2006 02:25 PM

11. Hey Tyler, add to that:

SUVs
Smoking in bars
601

Posted by: sro on December 5, 2006 02:35 PM

12. Washington's economic conservative movement deserves better than the likes of Tim Eyman.

Posted by: Alcon Nighthawk on December 5, 2006 02:50 PM

13. Alcon @12: Then step up to the plate and take over. Otherwise, shut up.

I, too, wish we had somebody of more probity at the forefront of the initiative process. But the fact is that only Tim Eyman has sparked statewide dialogue about things we've individually complained about such as the egregious charges for car tabs, government jacking up property taxes by scurrilous methods, etc.

And without Eyman, we'd still be whining "Why can't there be performance audits on the government?" Brian Sonntag has been calling for them for years, but the Legislature has turned a deaf ear.

So either step up to the plate yourself, or take what you can get until somebody better than Eyman does step up.

Posted by: sro on December 5, 2006 03:07 PM

14. Like your list Tyler. Although, since the Seattle progressives are transplanted Californians (or other out-of-staters) not sure if that one fits.

Posted by: Reporterward on December 5, 2006 03:10 PM

15. Absolutely sro. Eyman produces such a visceral reaction among liberals, so he must be doing something right. He is the only one willing to do the dirty work of taxpayer initiatives, and until someone else steps up to do what he does, people should stop complaining.

Posted by: Palouse on December 5, 2006 03:12 PM

16. 'wayne' @ #8
Those that are economically-challenged wouldn't know emperical data if it hit them in the head. It's obvious that owners of family businesses will take their life's work elsewhere such that it does not get destroyed by the immoral estate tax -
here's a prime example of one that will move out of state such that the owner's sons do not have to liquidate, at the expense of 450 local jobs.

'bonehead' at #6
Reagan Republicanism did not die, it just got forgotten after the triumphs of the class of '94.
You said: Where we are now in America is the direct result of conservative ideology yeah, a booming economy in spite of the deficit, a safe homeland, reversal of activist courts... hopefully those newly elected won't destroy it all.

...mature, LIBERAL adults... The three most mutually exclusive words ever put together in a sentence.

Your salutation takes the cake - Liberals that endorse Constitutional rights for jihadis are no patriots, and Conservatives are the savior of the Constitution from those that want it to be 'living and breathing'. Why does an ignoramus such as yourself even visit an enlightened blog like this?

Posted by: Concerned Citizen on December 5, 2006 03:45 PM

17. the liberals will soon have this country just as France is now (and it's probably unstoppable the way things are).

And the Muslims will vote in sharia law in France in 40 years (coming here too)

Posted by: ajday on December 5, 2006 03:59 PM

18. A nice collection of dumbass comments from the righties, including just a bit o' racism for good measure.

Any of you geniuses figure out what happened to even a bunch of the HONEST Republicans?

I say keep Timmy around just for folks to point at. He'll help keep reminding the public how transparently greedy and stoopud he is.

The most classic talk show piece this last political season was Carlson and Timmy going at it.

Posted by: Jim on December 5, 2006 04:06 PM

19. The main reason I like Eyman is that liberals loathe him. Just the mere mention of his name produces foaming of the mouth, bulging blood vessels, and apoplectic sputtering.

Oh, and notice how quickly liberals throw the race card into the debate...indicative of a failure to repond with reasoned argument.

Posted by: Shaun on December 5, 2006 05:11 PM

20. Concerned Citizen @ 16...

One guy left and blames it one the estate tax. One guy is not "droves"...I think your full of it. The "Death Tax" affects a very small number of people. Since most "family farms" are now owned by major corporations or NBA players it's unlikely the parents will be passing it down to their kids since they likely don't own the farm anymore.

As for this blog being enlightened, I'd say it's fun to read but it's far from enlightened. It's mainly just pulls cheap shots out it's collective ass for Ditto heads to rant and rave about while they do nothing to change/improve their situation.

Save the GOP, ditch the religious right!

Posted by: Cato on December 5, 2006 05:22 PM

21. Jim:
Stupid comments. I dont think so. Many of us Righties are concerned that you liberals want to turn Washington state into its name sake. The Socialist State of Washington. Can you tell me who said that and it was mentioned decades ago?
Socialism has failed in every attempt. Why is China going more to free market as much as they can to make money? Why has Vietnam also moved to Free market is some areas? Keep taking and never giving back. The special interests keep stealing all the state money and nothing in return. Eventually you have nothing. Inspite of the State Democrats our economy has been growing. Tax revenues have been growing why because of tax cuts and a stronger than expected economy. Not that this state has done anything to help it. Only by controlling spending and investing in infrastructure can we continue to grow. But each time you add a tax or fee you take some money from the growing economy. The economy will not continue to grow. The excess money flowing into the state coffers are spent on failing social programs that constantly need more money. Yet nothing to help with an admitted backlog on roads.
Democrats know our roads need money but only if we agree to steal more money from the people. No concern at all that if we have excess money that some of it should be invested in this back log. Education is failing because the forgot to teach the 3 R's. Inspite of that my girls are learning but still have a hard time thinking for themselves. I want them to think not believe everything spoon fed to them. Make informed decisions not repeat the liberal lies.
Look at the decisions being made by the leaders of this state. Nickels (RHINO) wants tunnel but he also believes we have to do something about global warming. So build a tunnel that in 10 years will be underwater. So tell me where is the sanity of this idea. The oceans will flood Seattle due to rising if global warming is true. It shows the insanity of Liberals. They can not put two ideas together and find out that they are conflicting. Democrats live to make comments that constantly conflict. So how can you every make sense to people who analyse.
Therefore if I teach my girls to think for themselves they will never make sense of the insanity and will vote from facts instead of emotions. Thats right emotional voting is the only way you can win.

Posted by: David Anfinrud on December 5, 2006 05:22 PM

22. I agree, Eyman is not very effective, although he does use a legal and legitimate means to attempt change. This is a free country, more power to him. I'm glad someone is at least questioning the status quo in Olympia rather than guzzling Kool-Aide like most WA residents.

But if all Eyman does is raise the blood pressure of WA Progressives, then that alone is real value.

Posted by: Jeff B. on December 5, 2006 05:22 PM

23. I suspect the fellow who owns GM Nameplate could avoid selling his business on his passing if he consulted a good estate and probate lawyer, the cost of which would be far less than moving the company. But of course that is his decision. We will see what he does.

I am just wondering if those hardy souls who have charged onto the streets voluntarily with Eyman initiative petitions will be quite so ready to do so again, given the spectacular failures of his last two. He appears to have lied to even his own backers, which is not usually a good move if you want them to work for you or donate money in the future. Eyman is one sugar daddy away from irrelevance.

Shaun may have to reassess his opinion of Eyman. Most liberals are getting more fond of Eyman by the day because he damages the credibility of anything he is associated with.

Posted by: wayne on December 5, 2006 05:26 PM

24. Amazing how "law-abiding" citizens are coming to the defense of admitted crook. And the even funnier part are the defenders are the group of victims!

Eyman pulled your chains, stole your money and here you are defending him.

This calls the sanity of the right into serious question. Any logical (not to speak moral) person would see the OBVIOUS flaw here.

Posted by: JimTBob on December 5, 2006 05:34 PM

25. Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire said the handcuffs aren't needed. Legislators have used their taxing authority with discretion and voters backed them up on transportation and education taxes, she said.

I haven't had such a good laugh in a long time.

Is there any tax or fee they did not massively raise last year?

Posted by: GS on December 5, 2006 05:47 PM

26. GS: how about this http://www.theolympian.com/101/story/54109.html

Or will you not lets FACTS interrupt YOUR FANTASY.....

Try the truth...it goes over better

Posted by: JimTBob on December 5, 2006 05:51 PM

27. Shhhh...JimTBob you are spoiling their anti-Gregoire love fest with actual facts.

Posted by: Cato on December 5, 2006 06:15 PM

28. sro@12: I am too young to vote, yet alone lead the economic conservative movement in Washington. I think Eyman does more damage to the perception of the movement in the state than he does good. Unfortunately, I will have to wait; but there is really no reason that I should have to "shut up," thank you.

Posted by: Alcon Nighthawk on December 5, 2006 07:12 PM

29. The fact is that Tim Eyman is the most significant Repuliblican of the last half century.

Eyman

The Republican Legacy

Posted by: Doug Parris on December 5, 2006 09:19 PM

30. Cato @ #20....I own a family farm and am not a NBA player or a major corporation. Regulations, taxes, ect. will drive us out of business long before we have the good grace to die and pass our farm onto our children. It's a sad thing to drive family business and farms from this state but the government IS doing just that. I know SEVERAL families that have sold their farms and businesses and left this state. Open your eyes and look around before you start spouting unsupported nonsense.

Posted by: Dawn on December 5, 2006 09:35 PM

31. Until the politicians at Olympia start listening to the people- which is probably when h*ll freezes over, the people deserve a Tim Eyman (who is not always for our better interests), but is a force against the oppressive big liberal Government that this state loves to elect, then whines about their decisions.

Grow up people ! those of you who want the initiative process done away with embrace the hammer and sickle. Go live in Europe with the community of Socialist secular progressives and enjoy your utopia. Many of us don't want that kind of pickled society that sucks !

Posted by: KS on December 5, 2006 09:43 PM

32. The initiative process exists because of the Progressive movement of a century ago. That an opportunist like Eyeman has exploited it for his own (short-term) profit does not detract from its value. Washington State has a very high minimum wage, annually indexed to the rise in our cost of living. The legislature rejected a bill to do this without even a full vote, but we the people passed it easily that same year, via the initiative process. No legislature likes having its' electorate repudiate it in such a blatant manner, which is why we must always guard our right of initiative against all legislatures. (Meanwhile, as a liberal, I love Tim Eyeman! He single-handedly torpedoed the only attempt to repeal the gay civil-rights bill.)

Posted by: Paddy Mac on December 5, 2006 09:58 PM

33. JimTBob,

Please tell me the name of your employer. Like you I don't want to work and need a union/democrat activist job. Like you, I want to spend my time between collecting free food and waiting for my welfare check to be a troll on the SP website.

You can contact me privately tomorrow when we're in the line at the food bank. I promise to take a bath before I show up at the democraptic boiler room so I can post stupid comments on republithug websites.

Yours in Lenin,

CheeseLover

Posted by: Works For Cheese on December 5, 2006 10:29 PM

34. Of the things Republicans need to do to get people like me, a moderate suburbanite in my late thirties, to vote for them ditching Tim Eyman would be high on the list.

Posted by: me on December 5, 2006 10:35 PM

35. There's another company that HAS moved it's headquarters to Arizona so it can be passed on to family w/o the raping from the state.
It was either 1st or 2nd largest private employer in the state for several years. I wonder if that would be cause for Olympia to take notice? Nah, why let the facts get in the way, right JimTBob?

Posted by: PC on December 5, 2006 11:12 PM

36. Tim Eyman's biggest problem is Tim Eyman. Everything he does becomes about him. Some of that isn't his fault, but most of it is. Listening to him on the radio, he always comes across as an arrogant, pompous ass. His political grand standing detracts from the message, and it's a shame because the guy has come up with a lot of great stuff.

If Eyman would just shut up and let someone else front these initiatives he comes up with, instead of running for the nearest camera in a Darth Vader or Buzz Lightyear costume every chance he gets, maybe he'd get more accomplished.

Posted by: Mike H on December 6, 2006 12:28 AM

37. Mike H, unfortuantely, the MSM is lazy. Instead of using some initiative (pun intended) and get their quotes and info from 'fresh' blood, it is much easier to go with the same old, same old people.

The Rs need to start grooming several new stars. Get them some face time.

Right now, I don't have a clue who are the R leaders in Olympia.

Posted by: swatter on December 6, 2006 07:21 AM

38. Of the things Republicans need to do to get people like me, a moderate suburbanite in my late thirties, to vote for them ditching Tim Eyman would be high on the list.

Funny, I don't remember Tim Eyman being a member of the Republican party leadership in this state. So I am not sure how they could vote for "ditching him". He is a citizen activist, who happens to vote Republican. It's the media that portrays him as an arm of the Republican party.

True, not all of Eyman's efforts have been successful, but quite a few of them have. He is responsible for significant laws enacted in this state, mostly to the benefit of taxpayers. This is alot more than any other citizen activist on the right has accomplished in a long time. His recent failures (e.g. trying to repeal the misguided gay civil rights bill) are magnified by the left much more than his recent successes (e.g. performance audits).

Posted by: Palouse on December 6, 2006 08:02 AM

39. #6,JimTBob, Alcon Nighthawk, Jim, Cato;
I have to wonder why you support tax the hell out of us and spend without accountability. I can only suppose that somehow you benefit personally from the rip off of the tax payers. And don't give me your B.S. about infrastructure. We don't get infrastructure here. So what's left? You must be a stinking beurocrat, or for some other reason your money comes on a check with a state seal. You are scoundrels for defending scoundrels.

Posted by: REBEL on December 6, 2006 08:19 AM

40. Can anyone else believe how power mad these democrats have gotten on their "mandate?" (Cough cough.)

It's funny that when the GOP had both houses AND the Presidency, that was never a mandate, but now having a razor thin majority in the Senate and a small majority in the house makes them bulletproof.

I'd like ALL the liberals that read this board to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep saying long and loud:

1) "The Reagan Revolution is dead.""

2) "This election was a mandate to raise taxes and launch new social programs"

3) "Hillary Clinton for President"

If you keep doing this for a few years, I am 100% sure that republicans will wind up with both houses of congress and the Presidency.

Posted by: johnny on December 6, 2006 09:45 AM

41. Johnny @ 40: How can you believe the Dem's don't have a mandate? Bush declared he had a mandate after he won the 2004 election by one state (Ohio). The Dem's have control of the Senate by one state (VA), how is their mandate any different?

The GOP had their chance to rule, they blew it. Now it's someone else's turn to screw the Govt. up.

Posted by: Cato on December 6, 2006 10:31 AM

42. Jeff 22 right.

public figures like Eyeman, radio hosts etc have to be a bit arrogant or at least very confident. if not, their message is lost or ignored. I thought him a gadfly at first, but realized how he actually adds value--however large or small--to taxpayers as a watchdog.

Examples? how about 90+ 'emergency' laws passed? politicians' attempts to remove us from the initiative process? nearly 20 years of bad audits ignored by DOT and ferry system. how about citizens' voices ignored by legislating judges (like the race-based admissions)?

freebies to illegal aliens and kissing up to Fox of Mex. by the Gov? a simple $30 car tab adding up to over $100 after all the shenannigans are done? restricting land use and not offering compensation for loss of use? just a few...

Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on December 7, 2006 05:20 PM

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