08.28.08
Posted in Why I'm voting for David Carrier at 7:14 pm by Administrator
Cross-posted from Daily Kos
by Lilith Saintcrow
This was one of the most exotic moments of my life, dear Reader. And that’s saying something.
So earlier this evening the Teen was at college and everyone else was at kendo. I was breathing the sweet air of solitude and employing my time productively (i.e., by research-reading erotica while I played a video game. Hey, I multi-task.) Along comes a doorbell ringing.
“Dammit,” I say with feeling, and haul myself up. I jerk open the door, prepared for a neighbor’s kid wanting to play with mine or some guy selling siding. “What?”
The nicely-dressed man smiles. “Hi, I’m David Carrier. I’m running for State Senate in this district and I’m just out introducing myself.”
I am immediately on guard. Homeless guys, guys in gang colors, guys dressed in odds and ends don’t frighten me. A man in a tie on my doorstep? I am instantly wary. Three-piece suits plunder the average American far more than anyone else. My eyes narrow. I can tell I’ve got what the Selkie calls ‘that yellow-eyed stare’ on. “Democrat or Republican?”
He shifts into gear, and I can tell he’s searching for a clue. Like you can’t tell how a zaftig girl in sweats and a nosering is going to vote. “Well, the Republicans have had their turn for a long time now. Democrat.”
He bought himself twenty seconds to impress me. Republican would have made me say No thanks, I can’t respect anyone who affiliates themselves with such lying hypocrites. “Okay. That’s good.” I look over my spectacles. It’s time to get serious. “What do you think about the Paulson plan and the proposed bailout?”
“I’m against it,” he says immediately. And I can tell he’s maybe a little frightened at my sudden ferocity. How many times, I wonder, has he knocked on a door and had to contend with ignorance or apathy? And he’s still looking peppy. Bright-eyed. Interested. This guy has the public-service bug. It might get knocked out of him, but he’s got it now.
My heart suddenly hurts. But not enough to let him off the hook. “All right. Why?” My vote hinges on this, dammit. This is probably the only time I’ll get to see the guy. I hope I’m making an impression. You wanna work for me? Impress me.
All of a sudden, his shoulders relax. He’s looking me in the eye and leaning forward a little. “Because dealing with Wall Street is only half of the problem. The plan doesn’t take home foreclosures into account, and that’s going to affect a lot more people. I was just blogging about this the other day.” (Note: And damn if he didn’t. I checked.) He could go on. All the fear and uncertainty has evaporated.
I didn’t know the guy had a doctorate in Economics from Notre Dame. I just thought, wow, he sounds like he’s thought about this. After years of Bush and his cohorts mangling the English language and beating the crap out of science and intellectual inquiry wherever they can, I’m almost about to weep with relief whenever anyone seeking public office comes out with a coherent, grammatically sound sentence that sounds like they might have spent half a second thinking about the issue instead of regurgitating sound bites.
It takes so little to please me after the nightmare of the past eight years.
I went from being upset to thrilled in the space of a heartbeat, dear Reader. “Especially since Wall Street created the damn problem.” I could go on, but he already looks a little shell-shocked. I grin, move forward, and shake the man’s hand. “Sir, you just got yourself a vote. Thanks for coming by.”
He hands over a small infosheet and looks dazed by my sudden volte-face. “Well, I’m happy to hear that. Thanks.”
“Good luck out there.” I mean it. He’s going to need it.
I close the door and lean against it. I am thinking of the world–in how many countries is a meeting like this possible? In how many countries would what I say be discounted because of my gender, or because of how I look? In how many countries would I never be able to see the levers of power, would what I think not even count because someone has a machine gun or enough money?
And I was reminded of why I love my country, even though I disagree vehemently with the current bunch of crooks that stole the last two elections, looted the country, and got us into a morass of an immoral war.
There is hope. And dammit, it’s time we took our country back. (Here comes my impassioned public service announcement.) Register to to vote, or make sure you’re registered this time around. Even if you don’t agree with my stance, even if you think I’m wrongheaded, even if you think your vote would never count.
It won’t count unless you throw it in there.
It’s time for us to take this machine the Founding Fathers put together for us and use it. The lobbyists and special interests are afraid of you and me for a reason. It’s because supreme executive power derives solely from a mandate from the masses (thank you, Michael Palin. Why couldn’t YOU be president???) Masses are us. You and me and your sister and your friends and my boss, my kids and your kids and our grandparents.
We the people. Now I’m all choked up. Seriously. I am. David Carrier just made me feel like a patriot again.
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08.18.08
Posted in Why I'm voting for David Carrier at 10:22 am by Administrator
Fellow Voters,
My name is Cozette Tyler, and I am a single mother of four children. I am also a college student studying Political Science at Clark College in Vancouver Washington. I am happy to have this chance to share a bit about myself, and why I fully support David Carrier as our next State Senator.
David Carrier stands for our most important issues on both a state and global level. As a single mother, it is more than critical to me that my family have a fair shake; that someone is balancing the scales by promoting causes that really matter in my house hold such as better education, affordable housing and health care, as well as fixing our worlds changing climate.
These are very important issues within my home as I am sure they are within many American homes. I am aware that our country is in a state of economic uncertainty, and that alone is enough to shake the walls of the American family structure.
As a college student, I want to see jobs available for both myself and my children. I want to know that there will still be a home called earth for my grandchildren. I want to elect a candidate that will work hard to ensure a healthier environment for families of today and tomorrow.
As a parent, I want to be able to prove by example that hard work can and still does pay off. I want to offer my children a legacy that will exemplify the idea that they can rise above any hardship and strive for a better life.
The only way that I know to do this is to cast my vote for candidates like David Carrier, who understand just how vital a role the Democratic Party plays in the lives of our nation’s citizens, and who will openly work for change that benefits everyone.
I hope you’ll join me in voting for David!
Sincerely
Cozette Tyler
Voter, 17th Legislative District
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08.15.08
Posted in Campaign Finance at 10:30 pm by Administrator
Senator Don Benton’s campaign literature proudly proclaims that “He fights for us!” We wonder: who was Don Benton fighting for when he opposed SB 5930 providing affordable health care to all Washington residents; SB 5659 establishing family and medical leave insurance; HB 1359 creating an affordable housing program; SB 5841 enhancing early childhood education opportunities and achievement; and SB 6809 providing a tax exemption for working families?
Don Benton also routinely boasts of being the most prolific fundraiser in the State Senate. His list of donors includes Wal-Mart, the Pawnbrokers Association, and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco. Do you suppose that campaign contributions of over $6,000 from various insurance companies had anything to do with Senator Benton’s opposition to HB 2572, providing health insurance to small businesses? With over $20,000 coming from the banking and mortgage industry, is it any wonder why he voted “NO” on SB 6381, a bill aimed at requiring mortgage brokers act in the borrower’s best interest?
The Senator also routinely misses votes on legislation he doesn’t like. For example, he missed the vote on a 2005 House Bill establishing a homeless housing program; a 2006 House Bill expanding apprenticeship opportunities for high school graduates; a 2008 House Bill addressing the achievement gap for African-American students; a 2007 House Bill authorizing utilities to engage in environmental mitigation efforts; and a 2005 Senate Bill providing tax incentives for clean and alternative fuel vehicles.
Whom was Senator Benton fighting for when he missed a 2005-07 appropriations bill that contributed to public employees and teachers’ retirement funds, and a 2005-07 appropriations to allocate additional funds to homecare agencies to provide dental, vision and vacation benefits for their employees? Did Senator Benton’s support from the tobacco industry have anything to do with missing the vote on a Senate Bill enhancing enforcement of liquor and tobacco laws?
Whom was Don Benton fighting for when he launched his subscription-only legislative news website for registered lobbyists (which ultimately failed)? When state legislative ethics counsel Mike O’Connell warned Benton to “erect firewalls” between his legislative duties and business dealings, Benton refused to acknowledge the obvious conflict of interest. He signed the solicitation himself and referenced his legislative experience as reasons to subscribe to his service.
Whom was Don Benton fighting for when he accepted donations well over the $2,500 contribution limit as head of the GOP state party? Even members of his own party were embarrassed by his actions. King County GOP chairman Reed Davis said Benton left the party in “near chaos.”
It appears that while the senator was busy raising money for his perpetual re-election, the people of this state were left to fight for themselves.
Partial list of Senator Benton’s votes: Education
Supported 2003 Senate Bill 6059 suspending COLA salary increases for teachers
Opposed 2007 Senate Bill 6059 restoring COLA salary increases for teachers
Opposed 2007 Senate Bill 5841 enhancing early childhood education
Opposed 2007 House Bill 1051 expanding high school completion programs at community colleges
Did not vote on 2006 House Bill expanding apprenticeship opportunities for high school graduates.
Did not vote on 2007 Senate Bill tuition waivers for families of fallen veterans and national guard members
Opposed 2007 Senate Bill 1128 operating budget, which included:
$1 million for construction of new K-12 schools
$15 million for opportunity grants for low-income students to pursue training in high-demand fields.
$60 million in special education funding
$1.1 billion for additional classroom space including Clark College and WSU-V
$22 million to expand the Early Childhood Education program to reach an additional 2,250 children
$25 million to provide health coverage to an additional 38,000 children
$1 million to Evergreen Schools for construction of a Health and BioSciences Academy.
Health Care
Opposed 2006 House Bill 2572 establishing small employer health insurance partnership program
Opposed 2007 Senate Bill 5930 providing affordable health care to Washingtonians
Opposed 2008 Senate Bill 6333 establishing a citizens’ work group on health care
Opposed 2008 House Bill 2687 providing mental health treatment and services
Opposed 2007 Senate Bill 5659 establishing family and medical leave insurance
Environment
Opposed 2008 House Bill 2815 cutting greenhouse gas emissions and creating 25,000 green collar jobs
Opposed 2008 Senate Bill 6580 addressing the impacts of climate change
Opposed 2006 Senate Bill 6508 incentives to increase local production of biofuels
Opposed 2005 House Bill 1397 to adopt stricter California emissions standards for cars and trucks
Did not vote on 2007 House Bill authorizing utilities to engage in environmental mitigation efforts.
Did not vote on 2005 Senate Bill providing tax incentives for clean and alternative fuel vehicles.
Did not vote on 2006 Senate Bill on oil spill regulations.
Housing & other
Opposed 2007 House Bill 1359 creating an affordable housing program
Opposed 2008 House Bill 2687 providing affordable housing, housing for the homeless, and weatherization
Opposed 2008 House Bill 1128 providing adult day care and services to families, children and disabled
Opposed 2008 Senate Bill 6809 providing a sales tax exemption for working families
Opposed 2008 Senate Bill 6381 requiring mortgage brokers to act in the best interest of borrowers
Opposed 2008 Senate Bill 6452 requiring full disclosure of yield spread premiums
Don Benton’s other missed votes:
Did not vote on 2005 Senate Bill amendment for public employees and teachers’ retirement funds.
Did not vote on 2007 Senate Bill enhancing enforcement of liquor and tobacco laws.
Did not vote on 2008 House Bill addressing the achievement gap for African-American students.
Did not vote on 2007 Senate Bill providing for privacy protection for voter registration information.
Did not vote on 2005 Senate Bill providing dental, vision and vacation benefits for homecare workers.
Did not vote on 2007 Senate Bill regarding health insurance information for students.
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Posted in Campaign Finance at 10:16 am by Administrator
Don Benton has outraised David Carrier 10:1 in this election. Conventional wisdom says that the more money you raise, the more likely you are to win. We think that values win elections. And the source of campaign funds says more about a candidate’s values than anything else.
Don Benton has the distinction of being the State Senator who accepted the most campaign contributions from corporate lobbyists and political action committees (PACs). David Carrier will be the only State Senator who did not accept campaign contributions from lobbyists and PACs. We don’t think corporate and PAC money will lead us where our constituents want to go.
Elected officials should represent voters- period. We hope you agree, and will take this information into consideration when you choose who will represent the 17th District. Send the message that we’re ready to get government to work for us again.
DON BENTON’S CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS $213,000
as of Sept. 1, 2008
TOTAL SPECIAL INTEREST CONTRIBUTIONS $91,000
BANKING total $20,000
WA Indepent Bankers PAC (Lakewood) 500
Money Tree (bundled contributions) 3,500
WA State Pawnbrokers Association 1,500
Pawn Exchange (Issaquah) 1,000
Payroll Complete Services (Keith Smith) 1,600
WA Assoc. of Mortgage Brokers (Edmonds) 500
Bank of America, Inc. 3,200
IQ Credit Union 1,400
Wash Mutual PAC 700
Sav Pac Wash. Fin. Lea. 400
PMSA WA State Pac 500
Credit Union Legislative Action 700
Boeing Employees Credit Union 1,300
Thomas Young, Regents Bank 1,450
Monte Schwartz, Regents Bank 300
Ken Kirn, Columbia Cascade 1,000
Russell Investment Group 550
INSURANCE total $6,000
Progressive Insurance Co. (Tacoma) 1,500
Premara Blue Cross 1,500
Regence Blue Shield 700
Aetna Insurance Co. 500
WMLA Pac 200
Pemco Insurance 800
Insurance Physicians (Seattle) 800
CORPORATIONS total $17,000
Philip Morris Company 700
Reynolds Tobacco Company (Winston-Salem) 500
Wal Mart, Inc. (Bentonville, AR) 1,500
Weyerhauser 900
AT&T 1,600
Motorola Inc. 250
T Mobile 800
Holland America Line 1,500
Thomas Mears, Holland Inc. 1,450
Glacier NW (concrete, building supplies) 1,600
Eli Lilly & Co. 200
Les Schwab, Inc. 250
Vancouver Toyota 200
MacFarland Cascade Pole & Lumber 500
Alan Webb Nissan 500
Vine Street Properties (McKinley) 1,600
White Pages.com Inc. 200
Big I 900
Kemper Holdings 1,000
Nutter Corp. 800
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES total $48,000
WA State Farm Bureau 800
WA State Dental PAC 700
WA Beverage Assoc. 1,600
WA Auto Dealers Assoc. 2,300
WA Software Alliance 350
WA State Farm Bureau 800
WA State Dental PAC 900
WA Education Association 1,600
WA Public School Employees 700
WA Affordable Housing 1,600
WA State Labor Council 200
WA Council of Fire Fighters 700
WA Taxpayer Assoc. 500
WA Organization of Vocational 250
WA Chiropractic Trust 1,400
WA Optometric PAC 1,100
WA Collectors Assoc. 1,600
WA VMA 800
Western WA Trial Lawyers 800
Central WA Lawyers for Working Families 800
Physicians EyePac (Seattle) 1,600
Farmers Employees PAC 800
MAC PAC 800
Puget Sound Pilots (Seattle) 1,400
Justice Pol. Action 800
Taseca Homes (Vancouver) 1,600
United Subcontractos Assoc. (Lakewood) 300
NW Sport Fishing Industries (Oregon City) 500
WSVMA 800
Justice PAC 800
Inland Northwest PAC (Spokane) 800
TPM PAC (Spokane) 400
International Union of Painters 1,400
Intl Union of Operators 200
Clark County Chiropractic Trust 1,000
Clark County Chiropractors 300
David Nierenberg- D3 Family Funds 2,900
Tapani Underground 300
Evergreen Memorial Gardens 100
Cam and Barbara Thomas, Underwood 2,900
Jeanne and Morris Bush 3,200
Brent McKinley, Vine St. Prop., Arlington 1,450
Bruce McCaw, Developer Bellevue 700
Yarrow Bay Development 500
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe (Auburn, WA) 800
Individual Chiropractors 2,100
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