For what it's worth, and I'm not sure what that really is, here's how I'm casting my vote in major and/or competitive races, in order of appearance on the ballot itself:
I-985: No.
Discussed here.
I-1000: No.
The pro side has compelling anecdotal stories on their side. The con side rightly discusses a disturbing slippery slope of government paying for the prescription to end your life while refusing to pay for costly medical treatment that could actually save it. More importantly, initiatives should pass a high bar for establishing a compelling need for the people to act via the blunt instrument of a plebiscite, rather than allowing the elected Legislature to do its job. That bar hasn't been crossed in this blogger's eyes.
I-1029: No.
Another way to think about this measure: it's a piece of legislation that SEIU couldn't get through a Legislature with near Democratic super-majorities. That tells you all you need to know.
President: John McCain/Sarah Palin.
Cast without enthusiasm.
US Representative: I live in the uncompetitive First District. Ugh. Though a chance to vote against Jay Inslee is never to be ignored. I'll take write-in suggestions in the comments through early Monday morning.
Governor: Dino Rossi.
Cast with the utmost enthusiasm.
Lt. Governor: Marcia McCraw.
Secretary of State: No vote.
Had Democrats been able to nominate a quality, fair-minded candidate in the mold of Mike Murphy or Brian Sonntag I would have voted for that individual.
Treasurer: Alan Martin.
Auditor: Brain Sonntag.
Attorney General: Rob McKenna.
Commissioner of Public Lands: Doug Sutherland.
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Randy Dorn.
This was a brutal choice. I'm thrilled with neither candidate. Terry Bergeson has been a stalwart defender of necessary testing and standards, but she is permanently tied to the WASL regime, which whatever you think of it is now deeply unpopular with the general public. Moreover, her relationship with the Legislature seems to be steadily deteriorating (given the degree to which the OSPI has to work with that body that's not a small issue).
Meanwhile, Randy Dorn is the WEA's pick in the race - almost invariably a warning sign for any conservative. Dorn is a flawed challenger, but it might just be time for someone new to give this important post a new direction after Bergeson's long tenure.
Snohomish County Superior Court, Pos. 6: George Appel.
Sound Transit, Prop. 1: No.
This will surprise some long-time readers, who know I deviate from my fellow conservatives in supporting light rail and other transit options. However, I also differ from many mass transit backers who refuse to acknowledge the need for major roads projects, especially outside of Seattle proper.
I supported last year's fusion of Sound Transit and RTID - despite its painful cost - as a necessary means by which to fund the Puget Sound area roads projects for which Olympia abandoned responsibility. Meanwhile the significant expansion of transit is inevitable given the constraints of our geography (bodies of water funneling traffic into narrow corridors) and the constraints of the Growth Management Act, which regardless of your view on it won't be leaving us anywhere on the visible policy horizon.
I support much of the abstract project list in this year's Prop 1. Yet, asking voters for a tax increase in this climate is imprudent. The fact it has to be via the sales tax makes it even more unpalatable. Most importantly, I don't believe public buy-in to the cost necessary to fund Puget Sound-area transportation improvements (for which, again, Olympia won't pay) can be achieved absent substantial governance reform that combines the alphabet soup of local transportation agencies into one, accountable body, complete with a board that has at least a majority of directly elected members.
Until that public buy-in can be achieved, I fear we're in for one giant, parochial food fight on transportation policy in this region.
Posted by Eric Earling at November 02, 2008 04:13 PM | Email ThisThe union thing here bothers me. This is probably the only office I'm still undecided on.
Having went to a school district that Randy taught in wayyyyyyyy back, he has very high recommendations from some old school educators, family, and family friends.
If I vote for Bergeson- it's not because I think she's done anything positive, rather it's a referendum on how feel about how badly the unions have screwed up our schools and have actively stood in the way of any meaningful reform.
Blame the WASL all you like. Kids couldn't effing read or write long before that test came along. I place blame on this on the unions and Randy is their man.
While Randy is undoubtedly the better candidate- I'm voting no to anyone the goon squad is backing with this much vigor. I've had enough of politicians in the unions back pocket.
I think Rossi is likely going to be the one most capable of fixing schools from the top down- this noise about the WASL is just a symptom of a much bigger problem. What needs to happen is for Olympia to poke these thugs in the eye with sharp #2 pencil and start making some meaningful changes.
That's the way this ballot rolls.
One the pro side, it appeals to my libertarian instinct - people have the right to make these decisions for themselves.
On the con side, most wanting suicide are depressed and/or in considerable pain. Both of these are treatable, especially if we stop acting like alleviating the pain of someone dying is going to create a drug addict. This is just a stupid limit on what doctors are doing, and has them scared to act in the best interest of the patient.
On the con side, it is very easy for someone who wants to hasten the process to have undue influence on the dying person. Being a burden is a big motivator.
On the con side, no one knows for sure when someone has six months to live.
When in doubt, vote against an initiative.
Regarding I-1000: when somebody wants to end it, we should let them. Who are you to think you know better for somebody else. If you feel like they aren't mentally capable to make a sound decision, then they don't meet the standards set by I-1000. However, if somebody is of sound mind and still wants to end it, who are you to tell them they can't.
Without I-1000, people will continue to shoot themselves. My Great-Aunt who had lupis chose the handgun-in-the-mouth route because her doctor wouldn't help.
This really isn't a law about legalizing suicide. If the suicide is going to happen it is going to happen. I-1000 is a law about allowing people to have options other than shooting themselves or jumping off of bridges.
Posted by: blindman on November 2, 2008 07:49 PMIf your Great-Aunt's doctor did nothing to treat her symptoms, then he should have been sued for malpractice.
This has been the law in Oregon for fourteen years and nobody can come up with a single case of abuse. In eight years. Nothing.
That's a lot more than anecdotal, that's fact.
But, when you are emotionally against something, like apparently you are, facts no longer matter.
That's OK, I'll think for myself.
Posted by: Uncle Steve on November 2, 2008 08:09 PMAnd if you think that the union has been pushing Dorn with vigor, you weren't paying attention to 4204, or this year's race for Governor.
My bottom line in the Superintendent's race is that there are testing options that are much, much better than the WASL. The WASL is Bergeson, and Bergeson is the WASL; the two can't be seperated from one another. Real ed reform can't start until the test is changed, period, and in a change election, the choice is Dorn.
Posted by: Ryan on November 2, 2008 09:07 PMThat's more than both Dorn and Bergeson have spent.
While the dollar amounts are less than those spent in the governor's race it's impossible to beleive that the SEIU isn't a major force for Dorn.
I realize I am in a minority on this blog, but I like the WASL and would rather allow Bergeson to keep imrpoving the test (she made it shorter, added a diagnostic component)than experiment with some new test.
Even if other hypothetically better tests exist it will be impossible to get the legislature, the WEA and the other anti-standards folks to agree to one. The SPI can't wave a magic wand to create a new WASL.
Please also don't forget that Bergeson is pro school choice. Charter Schools, home schooling and private schools.
Posted by: Alex Hays on November 2, 2008 10:32 PMDorn was on Kirby's show and said all the right things. While I don't expect a whole lot of changes, I do believe the math curriculum will change. I cringe right now whenever my daughter comes home to do math- both at what she hasn't learned and how they are teaching.
Posted by: swatter on November 3, 2008 07:12 AMThis isn't a slippery slope- it's taking proper care of our most vulnerable. Do the right thing and oft yourself to save your loved ones and (insert your favorite evil president here) a bunch of money.
What that hell is with society that it's ok to thin the heard like this?
Posted by: Andy on November 3, 2008 09:58 AMThe 'reasoning' in these responses is so weak, you certainly must all be kidding.
Posted by: Uncle steve on November 3, 2008 01:58 PM