The Issue Is Blatant Waste Governor...

KING 5 News has been running an investigative series on waste in the Ferry System almost daily for the past several months. It’s carefully documented numerous outrageous abuses, including employees being paid to travel to and from work, being paid triple time, and taxpayers providing double housing for employees who work in the San Juans. It also exposed the fact Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond replaced one of management's sharpest negotiators because the ferry unions demanded it. 

Recently, reporter Susannah Frame sat down with Governor Christine Gregoire to discuss the situation. The Governor stated flat out that she was aware of the series, but hadn’t taken the time to actually watch any of it.

So when presented with the facts, did Gregoire acknowledge any of the problems? Of course not. Instead, she attempted to misdirect the conversation by asking if Frame had found anything illegal. She then arrogantly postured that Ferries Director David Moseley and Hammond have saved the state $33 million in the past few years — to which Frame, to her credit, reminded Gregoire that the issue is blatant waste and abuse.

If this is what passes for “leadership” in Olympia, is it any wonder our state is broke?

The Tolls Are Coming; The Tolls Are Coming...

I don’t have a lot of heartburn about using tolls as a way to pay for specific projects. And I openly admit, my adamant opposition to tolls in general was quelled significantly by the way the Tacoma Narrows Bridge has alleviated the monumental problems we had there.

However, if you don’t believe tolls will become a way of life, WSDOT is already advertising on the radio, that Time-Of-Day-Tolling will begin shortly on the 520 Bridge. What that means is, the amount of the toll will depend on the time of day and traffic congestion. 

In my view, tolling an existing facility that we long ago bought and paid for, and that's scheduled to be upgraded — although that upgrade is not yet even designed, much less constructed — is a new level of arrogance, even for WSDOT. More of the same is on the way.

Tolling will certainly reduce congestion on 520 — because people will stop using it, and take I-90. This will then become the excuse to toll I-90. Will I-5 and 405 be far behind?

Quotes From Great — And Not so Great — American Orators

An amazing collection of famous and ... infamous — quotes from true Leaders, and wannabe "leaders"...

"One man with courage makes a majority."

   ...Andrew Jackson

"The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself." 

   ... Franklin D. Roosevelt

"The buck stops here."  

   ...Harry S. Truman

"Ask not what your country can do for you; Ask what you can do for your country."

   ...President John F. Kennedy

And more recently... 

"It depends on what your definition of "is" is."

   ...President Bill Clinton

"That Obama... I would love to cut his nuts off."

   ...Reverend Jesse Jackson

"Those rumors are false... I believe in the sanctity of marriage."

   ...Senator John Edwards

"I invented the Internet"

   ...Former Vice President, Al Gore

"The next person that tells me I'm not religious, I'm going to shove my rosary beads up their ass!"

   ... Vice President Joe Biden

"American is... is no longer, uh, what it... it, uh, could be, uh what it once was... uh, and I say to myself, 'uh, I don't want that future, uh, for my children."

   ...President Barack Obama (without a teleprompter)

 "I campaigned in all 57 states."

   ...President Barack Obama (Quoted in 2008)

"You don't need God anymore, you have us Democrats"

   ... House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Quoted 2006)

"Paying taxes is voluntary."

   ...Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) 

And the most recent gem of wisdom, ..."We just have to pass the HealthCare Bill to see what's it

...Nancy Pelosi (Quoted March, 2010)

How lucky are we to have such brilliant minds in charge of out once great country? 

Here's my personal favorite quote...

"Life's tough... But it’s tougher if you're stupid."

   ...John Wayne (A great American)

Well, DUH!!!

Democrats Vote Down 5 Percent Rule...

In a bid to stem taxpayer losses for bad loans guaranteed by federal housing agencies Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac, Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn) proposed that borrowers be required to make a five percent down payment in order to qualify.

His proposal was rejected 57-42 on a party-line vote because, as Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn) explained, "...passage of such a requirement would restrict home ownership to only those who can afford it." 

Am it just me, or am I missing something here?

A Couple of Interesting Videos

Here is an uncut interview by KIRO-TV political reporter Essex Porter with Dino Rossi. It's about 18 minutes, but well worth the time — even if you support Patty Murray.

View it here.

Also, a quick, entertaining yet informative, one-minute video from Arizona Governor Jan Brewer about the controversial immigration law.

View it here.

Breaking News... Benton Steps Aside, Endorses Rossi

In a surprise move, State Senator Don Benton has shut down his campaign to unseat U.S. Senator Patty Murray, and endorsed Dino Rossi. Rossi ended months of speculation about whether or not he would enter the race on May 26, with his official announcement that he would challenge the three-term incumbent. Benton has been running hard for several months and was considered the Republican frontrunner — until Rossi’s announcement.

In a video posed on the Benton for Senate Web site at 4:19 p,m., the Benton for U.S. Senate Campaign today issued the following statement made by Senator Don Benton:

“Four months ago, I set out on a journey to unseat Patty Murray - to help reclaim sanity in Washington DC and turn our country away from the dangerous direction it is headed. The times could not be more consequential. While politicians like Patty Murray dither in Washington DC:

• Our future grows uncertain,

• Corruption escalates in what was promised to be the most clean and transparent government in history,

• Our standing in the world is diminished by the day,

• Jobless claims remain far too high,

• And our ever-expanding national debt threatens our way of life.

The American people have spent the last few years worrying that high government spending will undo this republic. They see record deficit spending, and they are worried that the economic tragedy in Greece is a preview of things to come.

I have always fought for small government, low spending, and lower taxes. I fought for these principles when I was chairman of the Republican Party, and I have fought for them for the past 16 years in the state legislature.  I will continue to fight to reduce the size and scope of government at every level.

But this is not what Patty Murray believes in. Patty Murray is spending our money faster than we can give it to her. And whatever she cannot take from taxpayers, she’ll borrow from China, and mortgage our children’s future along with it.

We are facing very real problems in America, and it seems as though Patty Murray and our current Congress is completely unable and unwilling to tackle our biggest obstacles. Because the times could not be more consequential, I must take a close look at what is best for our state and nation now that Dino Rossi has entered the race.

Patty Murray has 6 million special interest dollars in the bank. To defeat her, we must consolidate our resources, and work together to put our country back on the right track. This goal is extremely difficult to achieve when our resources are divided in a closely contested primary between several well-qualified candidates. Therefore, since this campaign has never been about me, I have decided to do what is best for my country, my party, and my fellow Washingtonians: I am stepping aside to endorse Dino Rossi.

I am extremely proud of the campaign we have run. My campaign united thousands of like-minded supporters across this state. We have created a huge grassroots network, reached over 10,000 fans on Facebook, and gained endorsements from elected officials statewide.

I want to thank all of the people who have supported me and helped me even in the smallest way with this campaign. You will never know how much I appreciate the trust you have placed in me.  I will continue to fight for you and the things that are important to you.

But, now it is time to come together for a common cause for the good of the state and our nation. We must win this seat and turn our country back to the principles that have made us the greatest nation on earth.”

Click here to watch Senator Benton make the announcement.

Some Interesting Poll Results

Here are some interesting — albeit unscientific — polls results on some recent issues in the news. The polls were all done online by the Puget Sound Business Journal, but the results are a telling indicator of the mood of the business community, and possibly, a larger segment of the general electorate. They also are opposed in every single instance by organized labor and the Democratic Party.

Early poll on Washington's Senate race: Do you favor Dino Rossi or Patty Murray?

• Rossi — 52 Percent

• Murray — 42 Percent

• Don't Know — 4 Percent

• Other — 2 Percent

Do you agree with the Seattle City Council's decision to boycott Arizona?

• Yes — 21 Percent

• No — 76 Percent

• Don't Know — 3 Percent

Should Washington state privatize sales of liquor?

• No — 9 Percent

• Yes — 88 Percent

• Don't Know — 3 Percent

How do you get to work most of the time?

• Car — 61 Percent

• Public Transportation — 15 Percent

• Bicycle — 3 Percent

• Other — 2 Percent

Bill Gates Sr. wants an income tax for Washington's richest residents. Do you agree?

• No — 53 Percent

• Yes — 43 Percent

• Don't Know — 4 Percent