Battling with the government and the politicians is a full-time endeavor. There isn't a day that goes by where Jack Fagan, Mike Fagan, and I aren't thinking about, organizing, planning, and implementing offensives and counter-offensives on behalf of taxpayers. And so we are constantly sending out letters and emails and blog entries to all of you asking for your help. We meet with and talk with thousands of people each year and in every conversation, we ask for help.
Our endeavors have been hugely successful because so many of you have responded with your time, your effort, and your financial resources.
Our only regret for 2009: we didn't say 'thank you' enough. Our supporters are principled, courageous heroes who aren't willing to quietly accept whatever the government and the politicians dish out. You are all fighters who have the guts to challenge a very powerful establishment and stand up to intimidating authority. That makes you truly extraordinary people.
"What we do in life echoes in eternity."
That line, from the movie Gladiator, should be etched in the minds of every person who helps us fight for taxpayers every year.
For the past 12 years, we've done the best job we can listening to our supporters and crafting initiatives that are:
1) needed
2) wanted
3) impactful enough to make a difference
4) supported by enough people to collect enough voter signatures and to earn enough votes
5) able to withstand the special interest groups' financial advantage
6) able to make it through the courts' gauntlet of lawyers and judges
As you can imagine, this is a huge, huge challenge to do this year-after-year. Our initiatives tackle really tough problems and so we're always fighting an uphill battle. We often list the number of initiatives that we've qualified for the ballot (12) and the number approved by voters (8). And we often cite the $13 billion in direct tax savings from our successful initiatives. But think of all of the stupid, crazy, insane crap that didn't get sponsored, didn't get out of committee, didn't pass the Legislature/county council/city council because those politicians knew that we were ready to fight back.
As arrogant and unresponsive as politicians are now, imagine how much worse they'd be if not for our efforts.
But that's because all of you are willing to help us. And for that, we say 'thank you.' We appreciate your support, your enthusiasm, your hard work, and your faith in our efforts.
Our initiative for 2010 is really needed and really helpful to taxpayers. Two years ago, we sponsored and voters passed Initiative 960 requiring 2/3's legislative approval for tax increases. In 2008 and 2009, Gregoire and the Democrats didn't raise taxes because of it. Now they want to get rid of the 2/3's requirement -- our 2010 initiative brings it right back again -- our initiative is, by far, the most effective way for us to fight back against their efforts to raise taxes.
http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com
Posted by Tim Eyman at December 29, 2009 04:41 PM | Email ThisAnd you've become the issue. You even acknowledge it yourself by mentioning your own name in the headline of nearly everything you post on SP.
I voted FOR your last initiative, but it was embarrassing to see YOU get pasted at the polls.
When you hit bottom you should quit digging. Have you ever thought of actually running for office?
Posted by: threeoddnumbers on December 29, 2009 05:08 PMTim, none of your initiatives will ever be "impactful enough to make a difference" because they will never pass. They won't pass because you lost credibility with voters when you stole from your own contributors and lied about it.
Posted by: AD on December 29, 2009 05:44 PMThe amount of money and the prevention of so many ridiculous laws have been avoided due to Tim and others work.
If they were paid illegally or stole funds, you'd have seen the state on him and others like white on rice...
Keep up the great work Tim.
If nothing else, you have advertised the backdoor workings of our state legislature.
I recall a few midnight pay raises by our "esteemed" legislature.
How convenient to not recall that... Thank you SP and Tim for making us aware...
Posted by: DOug on December 29, 2009 05:55 PMshake hand & buy ya a blended smoothie anytime, ja? ;o}
even seeping water cuts canyons; steadiness cut the train tunnels through mountains; the people always owned the chisel and hammer of reason; the elected official does not see the long-term tunnel & its benefits; they always pick the dynamite; and--most times---to the detriment of all;
I'm with 4--
most of us do not realize the onslaught of silly laws that never saw the light of day upon us, thank God; (hey--what's the latest PC term these days in public schools? "thank Gaia?" who knows--& who gives a rat's patoon!)
Posted by: jimmie howya-doin on December 29, 2009 06:17 PM
Eyman could run an itiative that says the state of WA is solidly behind Good Things and against Bad Things and it would fail because "it's another Eyman initiative".
If this is about moving the ball forward, it's time to let somebody else move the ball forward...while Eyman finds a way to get himself unmarginalized.
Jack, Mike, I, and our thousands of supporters will continue to fight back on behalf of taxpayers.
You only lose if you quit -- we will continue to learn, adapt and persevere.
In 2010, Gregoire and the Democrats in charge of Olympia are promising to get rid of the 2/3's vote requirement so they can raise taxes, hurting both struggling taxpayers and our state's economy. Our initiative in 2010 is going to bring back that 2/3's vote requirement.
The taxpayers deserve the policies they vote for and we will continue to fight for them.
http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com
Posted by: Tim Eyman on December 29, 2009 07:06 PM#1 and #7 aren't attacking Eyman, but stating the obvious. No matter what Eyman does, no matter how good the issues he presents are, they inevitably become about him. That is not good, because it diminishes the ability to effectively communicate the message, as the message gets lost in the noise about him. Someone else needs to become the "face" of this whole thing.
The problem, as Tim states at #9, is that no one else has been willing to step up and take the proverbial baton. And with this year being a big election year, now might be a good time for a concerted effort to find another frontman. Not to say kick Tim to the curb, but someone else needs to become this movement's face.
Posted by: Mike H on December 29, 2009 07:30 PMWe will continue to fight for taxpayers with our efforts and our initiatives and if others want to do the same, that's fine too.
Always remember that there's more special interest groups fighting to raise taxes than there are those trying to reduce them. So it might be a more effective strategy to let a thousand flowers bloom rather than trying to limit those of us who are willing to try. Just a thought.
http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com
Posted by: Tim Eyman on December 29, 2009 09:17 PMWashington used to be a great place to live. Now it is just a place.
Posted by: Pete on December 30, 2009 12:10 AMFixed that for ya Pete in order to show the true reality of why this state is in financial ruin. Not that you'll learn anything as you are one of the sycophants I speak of.
As for Eyman being the face of the tax payer revolt against ever excessive state government, I don't see anyone else stepping up to take the torch. Even if there were one, any initiatives that come along that even smell like they might be for the taxpayer will be marginalized and pilloried by dishonest regressives like Joel Connelly and David Horsey over at the Pravda-Intelligentsia. We don't need a better initiative writer(s), we need a more intelligent, better informed voting electorate.
Thank you, Tim and the Fagan's for your efforts in standing up for the ordinary taxpaying citizen in this state and weathering the storm from the heavily funded special interest, and liberal groups that believe spending ourselves into prosperity is a reachable and worthwhile goal. Ignorance is bliss afterall.
From 1993 through 2007, the Legislature repeatedly punched loophole after loophole into I-601, consistently violating the will of the people.
So in 2007, we filed I-960 which closed those loopholes and, most significantly, resurrected the 2/3's legislative vote requirement for raising taxes.
Even before we turned in the signatures, a bunch of special interest groups went to court to block the Sec of State from accepting the signatures.
AG McKenna successfully defended the taxpayers and the Sec of State accepted the signatures.
Then, after I-960 was certified for the ballot, they sued again to block the public from voting on it.
AG McKenna successfully defended the taxpayers and the State Supreme Court ruled 9-0 to allow the public to vote on it.
The voters approved I-960, even though during the campaign for it, we were outspent $1.3 million to zero.
I-960 took effect and during 2008 and 2009, it stopped Gregoire and the Dems from raising taxes. It is working exactly as voters intended.
In 2008, Lisa Brown went to court to get the 2/3's requirement overturned.
AG McKenna successfully defended the taxpayers and the State Supreme Court unanimously rejected Brown's lawsuit.
Now, Gregoire and the Democrats are promising to take away that hard-fought-for 2/3's vote requirement and raise taxes, despite the voters' clear decision on I-960 and despite the hard work of our thousands of supporters, petition signers, voters, and AG McKenna's efforts.
We will fight back against their arrogant assault on the taxpayers and disrespect for the voters.
Our initiative in 2010 brings back the 2/3's vote requirement for tax increases.
That's what we'll be fighting for in 2010.
Each initiative we do is offered to the voters a la carte - one-at-a-time. You can agree with some and disagree with others. You don't have to support all of them to support this one.
So the question before you is simple: are you willing to let them get away with it or will you help us fight back?
Posted by: Tim Eyman on December 30, 2009 07:48 AMhttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002384648_farm16m.html
Hey Pete, how high should taxes be exactly? How much money does the state need? As much as they want? More the a peck? Less than a dozen? What? You obviously have an accounting background so put your stupid ideas where you mouth is and tell us how much.
And while your are at it, how big should state government be? Should they employ everybody in the state or just, say, 75%? Should everybody get some state moolah or just those that "need" it.
Tell us what you think you stupid ass.
Posted by: G Jiggy on December 30, 2009 12:20 PMI agree, Pete. But contrary to your beliefs, it was the people that share your political ideology that have made this state merely the "place" you speak of - 30+ years of Democrat oligarchy and yet it's Tim Eyman you blame?
The disconnect with reality that some have is amazing to me.
Posted by: Rick D. on December 30, 2009 12:57 PMSo now we have all these Iman haters just because he gave the people an opportunity to do what politicians wouldn't allow. He didn't bend anybody's arm. He didn't take any hostages. He let the people decide. How does that make him a bad guy? He's become a lightning rod, like Newt Gingrinch, where his mere mention gets people agitated. The left has done a real good job on him.
At this point I think that Mr. Iman needs somebody to be his spokesperson. Communication is key in the 21st century and Tim (and please take this in the spirit in which it is offered) isn't his own best spokesman. What is needed is somebody that is articulate, agreeable and mainstream looking. Tim can operate in the background doing what he does best, and his spokesperson can be his face to the public. Maybe in the meantime Mr. Iman can undergo a bit a polish job and reemerge to the public once again as the conscientious preserver of people's freedom. He's kind of lost that mantle for now.
Posted by: G Jiggy on December 31, 2009 09:22 AMI think you can still be effective...
Be to be effective you need to recruit about 50 spokespersons and stay in the background yourself.
Fair or not Tim, you have become the issue.
It was inevitable when one person stands up pretty much alone.
It's easy to knock off 1 target.
It's almost impossible to knock off 50 in one election.
Think about it.
You have great knowledge and expertise.
Howwever the opposition knows you are going to run a sweep to the right every play...and they stack the line of scrimmage.
You need to consider an end around!!
Don't quit Tim.
Just adjust your gameplan.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Mr. Cynical on December 31, 2009 11:54 AMThe idea we're after is freedom. That's what we want people discussing, because if freedom is the question, republicans and conservatives win.
But if people discuss people (Eyman) and events (his well documented corruption), conservatives lose.
It's not the way things ought to be. It's the way things are. Eyman should move on. For nothing else than the sake of the movement, he should move on.
Posted by: AD on December 31, 2009 02:22 PMDaniel--get a grip.
Suggesting a new game plan is hardly "scummed to the Liberal onslaught".
You obviously are a political novice.
Good ideas should stand on their own.
The issue has come down to Tim. Partly Tim's doing, but mostly the political inevitability.
Don't run right when the defense is stacking the line to that side.
Run a mis-direction, end around.
Come on Daniel...you've got to be smarter than that.
However, Ulysses S. Grant did not fight his battles on the pages of newspapers. Tim Eyman does.
Integrity matters. If we demand integrity from liberals, we should demand it from conservatives even more.
I've always voted for Tim's initiatives (though I hold my nose). I've always hoped they'd win, too, especially this last one! But let's be pragmatic. Let's be results oriented. Paying someone to run initiatives isn't bad in and of itself (even if they guy's a liar). Paying someone to run initiatives that LOSE EVERY YEAR is another issue entirely.
Tim Eyman shouldn't say thank you. Tim Eyman should say I'm sorry. That's what accountable leaders say when they waste the time, money and effort of their supporters.
Posted by: AD on January 1, 2010 12:14 PMYou're a LIAR...When, you say that Tim Eyman has wasted time, money and effort of the Supporters of Tim Eyman's Initiatives because, his Initiatives lose every-year. Seven of Tim Eyman's Initiatives have passed and they have done a Great Service to the Taxpayers Rights and Pocketbook. But, again...You're a Liberal and Liberals are the Lying LOSERS of this World. Nuff Said.
I have seen it time after time now. A perfectly good initiative of Tim's gets railroaded because people that we need to pass it, the people that don't usually pay attention to politics, have been swayed to believe that if Tim sponsors it it's a bad thing somehow. The only way to get around that is to rebuild with Tim not being the public face. That's all.
Danial, you need to get your finger out of your keester and read & understand the posts. You're getting wound up about what the posts aren't saying.
Posted by: G Jiggy on January 1, 2010 01:34 PMAs far as Gingrich and Palin goes...Yes, the Liberals have tried to marginalize and have Failed to shut them down and the Truth continues to march forward. In fact, Palin is Stronger than EVER! You and other confused, at best, quasi-Conservatives will allow the Liberals to do their Dirt and WIN! Bottom Line...It is the Initiative that is so important to being brought forth to the People from one, Tim Eyman who has brought successful Initiatives before that rendered a Great Service to the Taxpayer and it is on his Name and success of the past Initiatives that the People will recognize and turn out to Sign and Vote for Passage. Get it? Naah, perhaps there is too much Liberal Blood in your veins to Wake Up to know where it is at.
I sincerely hope that someday people will view conservative political ideology as a mark of personal integrity and character. That's why we need leaders in our movement who uphold our values with integrity.
Why do we, as conservatives, oppose the unions and the tribes? It's because they are overtly using our political system as a way of obtaining personal wealth.
It's hard to criticize them for doing this if we have public faces in our own corner who are guilty of the exact same sins!
Posted by: AD on January 1, 2010 02:39 PMOnce again: The people that count, the people in the middle-of-the-road, the non-republican, non-democrat people, the people we need as voters to pass Eyman initiatives have bought into what the leftists have done to Eyman. I, AD and Mr. Cynical are simply pointing the liabilities that Mr. Eyman is trying to function under and how to cure the problem. It is not a non-support issue and just because you want to see it that way doesn't make it so. This time get your head out of your keester and read what the words say and stop being so friggin' defensive.
Posted by: G Jiggy on January 1, 2010 03:00 PMJack Fagan, Mike Fagan, me, and 7 other strong activists will be sponsoring an initiative in 2010 - we'll be filing it on January 11th which the 1st day of the legislative session - that brings back the 2/3's vote requirement for tax increases. That's the policy the voters approved just two years ago when they passed our Initiative 960.
It is a policy that Gregoire says she wants to get rid of during the 2010 legislative session so she can raise billions in higher taxes.
We have until early July to collect 300,000 voter signatures for it.
You can choose to help us or not -- we are more likely to succeed if you help us.
But we are going to try to give the voters the chance to reinstate the 2/3's vote requirement for higher taxes in November, 2010 (they'll be voting on it right after Gregoire and the Dems massively raise taxes).
We would appreciate your help.
http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com
Posted by: Tim Eyman on January 3, 2010 02:49 PMGreat job, Mr. Eyman and Mssrs. Fagan. Great initiatives. However, like many posters, I would get sick to my stomach when the power people would belittle the initiatives by personal attacks against yourselves. Then and only then, would the initiatives take a nosedive.
I'm just saying.
Posted by: swatter on January 4, 2010 08:31 AMIt's about time we sent a message to her royal highness Gregoire that she works for us and not the other way around.
Posted by: Rick D. on January 4, 2010 08:40 AMConsider this very likely possibility:
* The various initiatives that we sponsored and that were passed (8 so far) were because a majority of voters agreed with the policies in them -- the fact that the initiatives were sponsored by me/us was not a factor in voters' decision-making.
* Our initiatives that didn't pass (4) were because a majority of voters didn't agree with those particular policies during those particular years -- the fact that the initiatives were sponsored by me/us was not a factor in voters' decision-making.
There is a tendency to over-think and over-analyze election results on initiatives.
Remember, with all our ballot measures, we are always outspent by the special interest groups, we are always subjected to personal attacks by opponents and the media, and we are always the co-sponsors.
Each initiative is different. Voters are looking at each initiative one-at-a-time, a la carte. And they are passing some of them but not others. That's to be expected.
It's really not more complicated than that.
Our 2010 initiative to reinstate the 2/3's vote requirement for tax increases is our most effective counter-offensive to Gregoire's 2010 tax-raising agenda. Please help us.
http://www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com
Posted by: Tim Eyman on January 4, 2010 09:30 AMI wish I was as sure of the electorate's competence to see the riff from the raff in these elections as you are.
Wish us all luck on the next one. Nice touch bringing in more sponsors. By nice touch, I mean smart politically.
Posted by: swatter on January 4, 2010 12:49 PM