For at least the last 18 years, and historically for just about forever, we have heard the mantra for lower taxes. I am sure that everyone would love to pay as little in taxes as possible. It is natural: We really want to pay out as little as possible for anything and everything. There is [...]
Many states are having serious problems making their budgets work. There is a well known situation in California where services have been cut drastically and the government has ground to a halt in the last year. It is easy to blame the governor and legislators for this, but the biggest problem is the existence of [...]
Vote-by-mail ballots are on their way out for the upcoming election in Washington. It’s time to look at some of the issues to be decided. Again, we are looking mostly at issues that have clear choices. In the latest legislative session, the Washington Legislature decided correctly to expand the rights of domestic partners in the [...]
Another general Election Day is over. We have spent the last several months rooting one way or the other on a number of candidate races and ballot measures. We do it in a way similar to the way we root for our local sports teams to win, only in this race, we have to live [...]
I follow closely the political action going on in the northern part of Cascadia, in Washington State. While I’m not going to go too far in depth into the races and questions on the ballot, there are a few that I would like to comment on before Election day. Chris Gregoire for Governor. Even if [...]
I have written blog entries on most of these Oregon ballot measures. The following is a summary of the measures and how I would encourage you to vote: Vote YES on Measure 54: Standardizes voting eligibility for school board elections with other state and local election. Vote YES on Measure 55: Changes operative date of [...]
I am not opposed to getting tough on crime. There are too many criminals out there committing a wide variety of property crimes, drug crimes, and identity theft. We must do what we can to stop them. For many reasons, I believe that Oregon Ballot Measure 61 is not the best way to accomplish these [...]
Sometimes you just have to wonder what is going through the minds of people. Oregon Ballot Measure 63 states that it would “Allows minor improvements to property without building permits” or building inspections. This would apply to all renovations in a building that cost less than $35,000. I understand the frustration that comes with having [...]
I have been watching an ongoing case in Oregon City, Oregon that involves a couple who let their 16-year-old child die. In this case, the couple cites the fact that they are members of the Followers of Christ Church in Oregon City, which practices faith healing, as an excuse for killing their child. While I [...]
I have been a bit negligent lately in posting to the blog, as I have been away recently traveling to an assortment of places in Cascadia, for an assortment of reasons. I am now back at my computer, and after a stint of catching up with work, I have a moment to reflect on some [...]
