PPACA (Obamacare) is very unpopular. Cost bunches of money (read trillions). 2,500,000,000,000 by 2020. Oh and it's unconstitutional. But waivers are being issued like crazy (900 companies and counting). Congress thinks that by you not doing anything (purchasing health care) that you are in fact performing an activity that can be regulated under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution.

Unfortunately we have a superior court judge (Kagen) who lobbied for the PPACA. Maybe she will recuse herself? Maybe she'll get one those ethics waivers from the Whitehouse.

Green is the New Red.

Question for the voter? Would you vote to raise your own taxes so that we could build more green schools. The numbers are coming in and it looks like we are spending $10 to save $1 in energy. Is that smart? Would you spend your own money to install a new water heater that takes 30 years to pay back? Oh, the life span of a new water heater these days is maybe 20 years. Of course you would do it someone else's money.

The good news is that the local school bond failed. But instead of tightening their belts and trimming costs, they are trying to figure out how to "reword" the bond so it can pass next time. Oh and you can bet it will be more money next time because we didn't pass it when it was cheaper.

I guess it's good thing they don't have the power of the King County Council to declare an emergency and raise property taxes without our consent.

Again - Where do I start?

The Tahoma school tax levy failed (excellent!). But they won't give up. The good news is (maybe) they'll go back and adjust their tax levy to just what they need and not what they want!

In other news, the Navy officially sanctions gay marriage (contrary to the law) but they figure what better way to increase enlistment.

And in Thurston County the "pocket gopher" has more rights than property owners. Over 57,000 property owners have been forced to give up their rights so that gophers don't become endangered. I probably shouldn't let them know that I'm going to another state this month to help rid them of their rodent population. Funny thing is (not so funny for the property owners) that the gophers have no problem finding new places to live when they are "forced" off of "their" land.

Sound Transit is fined?

The wonderful community group Sound Transit was fined $15,000 for hiding $813,000 in lobbying expenditures. But hey, they're only trying to do what best for you. Channeling your tax dollars into the biggest boondoggle in state history. Always (ever time) over budget, never (ever) doing what they promise and using your tax dollars for what? To get you out of your car and into a train to nowhere. Will we ever have a useful transit system? Not in my lifetime. Even their biggest most expansive plans have fallen short.

In the state of Washington the transportation system is the second biggest joke (next to DSHS).

Where does the gas tax go? You would think it would go to roads but it doesn't.

Just like when we voted for gambling under the ruse that it would go to schools. Well it doesn't.

Where are we going Washington? No where but down.

Awesome trip!

I've been gone for a week. (I couldn't post that for security reasons)

I was in DC watching my oldest son compete in the "We The People - The Citizen and the Constitution" nationals.

While his school did not place in the top ten, his unit received an award for the highest score in the non-finalists group.

DC is a great place to visit. Clean, easy transportation, nice folks.

The high point of the trip had to be (besides Bin Laden) was a one hour visit with Congressman Reichert. He really engaged the kids and many of them commented that that was their high point.

I'll leave on a positive note and save the Bin Laden analysis for next time.

Forever

Why is the Washington State budget like herpes?

Because some things last forever.

For example; unemployment benefits "were" meant to be a stop gap. To allow the unemployed time to find different work. The incentive was there was only a limited amount you could receive before it ran out. The state gives out "unlimited" benefits now so there is no incentive. I wonder how many people collecting it are from two income families? But it is free money and free only costs those who continue to work.

But there was some good news. They are actually trying to deal with rising contract COLA and pensions. Will it pass? Angry unions everywhere.

FOIA

The Freedom of Information Act is supposed allow is regular people access to (non secret) information. Why is it then that we have to sue the government each time in order to receive this information.

The latest suit is against the DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security) to provide documents about a case involving an "illegal" charged with DWI and the hit & run death of a nun.

Now why would the DHS want to withhold information on this case? Well it seems the White House is involved. I wonder why?