The race for King County Executive is non-partisan but let's face it, of the five leading candidates, four are Democrat elected officials and one is generally considered to lean Republican. What a surprise then to read in a Sunday, July 12th Seattle Times editorial that the four Democrats oppose interim King County Executive Kurt Triplett's proposed sales tax increase but the lone Republican "wants to study the Triplett proposal before saying how she feels about it." Reading the editorial description of each of the four Democrat's responses to the tax proposal, especially the two state legislators, they seem well thought out and responsible. But Susan Hutchison was responsible only in that she actually wanted to read the proposal before commenting. This is one time when reading may not be necessary. Offering a tax hike during an economic recession should be a non-starter. Oddly, I've heard Susan speak on two occasions and both times she made it perfectly clear that this is not the time for tax increases. She has ideas for reducing the cost of King County government, starting with the size of the Executive and Council staffs, while funding critical needs. But none of this was mentioned in the Times editorial. It could be a too quick response to a reporter's question, poor editorial research or, and I slip into conspiracy theory politics here, the Times is laying the groundwork for trashing Hutchison on the way to endorsing two Democrats for County Executive.
VERY strange for a non-partisan race and a candidate who goes out of her way to suggest she's the only non-partisan in the race.
Guess we should believe her as much as any other politician...too bad, because I was leaning toward supporting her. At least the Democrats admit what they are publicly. It may not be great, but it's honest. C'mon Susan...you're better than this!
Posted by: The Facts are Out on July 12, 2009 04:45 PMI'm truly hoping she wins. It would be a genuine breath of fresh air to have a decent person in that office for once.
Posted by: Michele on July 12, 2009 07:28 PMI'm sure she thinks that raising taxes during a recession are a bad idea. But if she can think fast enough on her feet to say so when asked, she doesn't belong in the job. The county apparatus will make mince meat of her if this is the best she can do.
I still think Ross Hunter is the only one of the gang who has the brains and management experience to get the county back in fiscal shape. He may not be perfect, and I'm not naive enough to think he won't propose higher taxes down the road, but at least he is bright enough to know that Triplett's plan is a non-starter.
County government has gotten too large and too expensive. That eliminates to the two council candidates. They are the ones who have presided over the present disaster. Their comments are worthless.
Posted by: janet s on July 12, 2009 07:58 PMWow, a republican who is even too dense to toe the party line...
Posted by: correctnotright on July 12, 2009 08:18 PMThe others said what they believed the people wanted to hear and that's all they did. Is she the only non-Democrat running ? So, the Time will endorse one of the other four. PT Barnum said "There's a sucker born every minute". Many of them live in King County.
Posted by: KS on July 12, 2009 09:15 PMThe others said what they believed the people wanted to hear and that's all they did. Is she the only non-Democrat running ? So, the Times will endorse one of the other four. PT Barnum said "There's a sucker born every minute". Many of them live in King County.
Posted by: KS on July 12, 2009 09:15 PMSo refreshing to have a thoughtful individual give an honest answer -- even if it isn't politically expedient.
Posted by: Mike Baker the Bike Maker on July 12, 2009 09:22 PMHow dare she step into this, without the blessing of the ruling class!
How dare she talk about the failings of the prevailing order!
Browbeat her for having ever supported conservative candidates. Impute and assume the worst motives possible on her part. Then, patronize her by downplaying her long career in broadcasting as just a pretty face that read the news.
Hutchison has the mettle and staying power to win this race. But she's going to need help from the center, both right and left.
As for the Times editorial, so what?
Posted by: ConservativeD on July 12, 2009 11:37 PMYes, she is way dumber than Fat Al Gore.
You buy your own dinner from the regular menu, no other cost. All welcome, please RSVP to LPWA.com1@gmail.com.
Posted by: Rachel H on July 13, 2009 02:17 PMHutchison is way out of her depth.
Posted by: MikeBoyScout on July 13, 2009 03:46 PMWith Tax to the Max proving that "even a caveman can do it" I have no doubt that Susan will bring a refreshing change that is badly needed.
Posted by: alphabet soup on July 13, 2009 05:23 PMHow about a Coke and a smile?
Or Feel the Dew?
Or Fresh and clean as a whistle?
Never mind that pesky policy stuff.
:-D
Posted by: MikeBoyScout on July 13, 2009 05:55 PMWhy start now? Oh, you mean partisan lefty agendas. You got me there - Susan would never lower herself to that gutter...
Posted by: alphabet soup on July 13, 2009 06:06 PMWhat more need be said?:-D
Posted by: Amused by Liberals on July 13, 2009 06:10 PMI have the same question for you that I had to Dems about Darcy Burner. What in her resume gives you any idea that she has the talent and experience to be county exec?
She has worked at non-profits, raising money and handing out grants. Before that, she read the news. That is scarcely an endorsement for keeping county expenses under control and managing a huge budget.
She is empty. She is raising money because she knows how, and she is the only Republican in the race. There has to be a better reason to vote for her than that.
Posted by: janet s on July 13, 2009 08:54 PMShe's not a democrat and as far as we know she isn't a crook.
Got proof that Fred Jarrett or Ross Hunter are dishonest, and lack common sense? What is your evidence? I need something more substantive than "they are democrats". That's moronic.
You are proving why Republicans do so poorly in this state. You can't even launch a logical defense of your candidate. I was at least expecting something she has done that would support your contention that she is up to the task. But, sadly, no.
Just insults and ad hominem attacks.
Sorry. I'm a lifelong Republican, and I'm voting for Hunter. So far I haven't heard a good reason why I shouldn't.
Posted by: janet s on July 13, 2009 09:54 PMWe need to look at things big picture, here. If we coupled a sales tax increase with a meaningful reduction in property taxes, I would support it.
Sales taxes are great because if you don't like the tax, then don't pay it! Your 401k will thank you!
Posted by: AD on July 14, 2009 05:20 AMOn April 8th 2009 Susan Hutchison declared her candidacy for King County executive and said "We need a new direction in King County, with new leadership that does not believe the answer to every problem is a new fee or a higher tax,"
3 months later when questioned about a new tax proposal, Hutchison "wants to study the Triplett proposal before saying how she feels about it."
Alphabet, you may believe not raising taxes to be a 'lefty agenda', but I tend to think that fixing the budget without raising taxes AGAIN to be on everybody's agenda.
Well, with the possible exception of those looking for a refreshing change or needing time to study how they feel.
Susan knows that I believe in her and fully support
her in this race. Ultimately that's all that really
matters.
Jordan McCarren, Susan deserves a whole lot better than what you have done so far. Something I guess you will never understand. Because you don't get what she really means too King County and Seattle. Anyway that's all I'm going to say.
Other than to add that whether she wins or not I
will always believe in Susan.
Think about it. Taxes discourage the activity that is being taxed. Tax income and you disincentivize earning money. Tax property and you disincentivize home ownership and real estate investment. Tax purchases and you disincentivize... buying stuff. Yeah, some purchases are necessary, but you, the consumer, have complete control over what you buy and how much you spend on it. You have complete control over how much you pay in sales tax. The choice is wholly yours. And if you are like most Americans, you spend a LOT of money on stuff you do NOT need. (There is nothing wrong with that -- I think we should all be allowed to buy whatever useless stuff we want, but it's a CHOICE).
Please, go work for a year in Oregon or, better yet, California. These states have different systems of taxation and the only way to avoid those taxes is to spend a lot of time hanging out in homeless shelters.
My point is that raising a relatively good tax like the sales tax can be justified if it's offset with an equal or greater reduction in a bad tax like property taxes.
Posted by: AD on July 14, 2009 08:16 AMOh, except for Mr. Spackman, who says that because he is devoted to her, that is all that is needed.
Okay.
I say you go with the best person for the job, who actually has demonstrated the ability to manage people and a budget, shows focus to getting a task completed, and has the ability to string together more than two sentences. Ross Hunter is the only one qualified on these points.
Posted by: Janet s on July 14, 2009 04:54 PM"Hey janet....What's all this Bleating about Susan Hutchison not being up to the job of keeping county expenses under control and managing a huge budget? All the wheels and procedures are already in place for the running of county government. If need be, County government could run by itself without a County Executive. All you have to do is sit in the Big Chair and play the game of government. What is needed, is not another typical dishonest politician to misappropriate funding and keep a bloated inefficient county government continuing to do business as usual. What you need is someone who is honest enough and with the common sense to do what is needed and what is right."
Your case for Hutchison is she can sit in a big chair and play government. And she is honest.
But the question was: what in her resume qualifies her to run the county government? If you have someone in there who doesn't have a clue what to do, it doesn't matter how honest she is. She will be powerless, and the county government will be without leadership. Then watch how things deteriorate.
It isn't good enough for you to accuse the other candidates of being dishonest and willing to steal money. Got any evidence? Of course not. It is slanderous, and a lazy argument.
Give it up. Just say you will vote for Hutchison because she is a Republican. And in your mind, even an incompetent Republican who is in over her head and will be managed by the entrenched of the county is better than anyone else. At least you would be honest.
Posted by: janet s on July 14, 2009 09:21 PMDo you really believe that County Government is being run efficiently and effectively now? I mean, when has it ever been run efficiently and effectively. What a Joke! Do you really believe that replacing a known failed Democrat with another Democrat is going to improve County Government? Of course, you do. You're a Liberal and Liberals will continue to make the same mistakes over and over again.
Back to Liberals being congenital Liars....Liberals have no shame, they just Lie, Lie and Lie. You have proved that here on this forum more than once. What a Surprise!
No, I don't believe county government is being run well right now. It is being badly mismanaged. That's why I am looking forward to a new administration that has experience and the ability to get things done.
We need someone who will approach the job as a place to be managed, not a place for political experiments. We need someone who can look at the bloated wages and benefit packages, and negotiate new terms.
We need someone who can live within the means provided, and can figure out how to upset the existing structure to make it happen.
We don't need someone who hasn't got a clue, and doesn't have the gumption to take the lead. We need someone who can think on their feet, and isn't afraid to upset a few people.
I'm waiting for you to point out to me what is in Hutchison's resume that indicates she can do any of this.
Posted by: janet s on July 14, 2009 10:50 PMThe Seattle Symphony is now in better shape because she asked for more money. She did nothing to cut back expenses. So, are you saying that she will raise taxes to solve the county problems?
I'm not sure about you, but my confidence in the voter process in King County hasn't increased much. Guess her tenure on this committee was more window dressing than actual policy making.
This is a non-partisan race. None of the candidates have a party affiliation.
You have to do better than this.
Posted by: janet s on July 15, 2009 10:39 PMAnybody, belonging to such a corrupted party as the Democrat party with such, a long criminal history, including lies and failures is immediately suspect of having a lacking of morals and understanding. Tell me of one Democrat that has ever been known for his honesty and wisdom...you can't!