What I think the REAL reason businesses oppose 695 is

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So often, we hear the antis crowing about how groups like the AWB and various large companies oppose 695.

My opinion is that it's probably due more to fear of political retaliation than anything. For instance, Boeing opposed 200, endorsed gay-rights initiative 677 two years ago, and so on, I think, to avoid the jihad of the Clinton administration's quota juggernaut.

Now, many of the main 695 opponents (besides the socialist union thugs) are groups and companies involved in, you guessed it, government contracts in one form or another. And it would not surprise me in the least if Sid Morrision has told them that they can kiss their contracts goodbye if they so much as spit in the direction of this initiative.

Just a thought. And just my opinion.

-- Joe Hylkema (josephhy@wsu.edu), October 12, 1999

Answers

I think you are partially right about business groups like AWB...I also suspect that they are being assured that they may be some sweetheart deals cut in the next legislative session to provide them some type of relief.

Personally, whenever I spend any money at a business...I ask them if they are a member of AWB...if they are, I explain to them that I won't be spending any money with them, because of the downright lies they are telling in the anti 695 campaign.

-- Dee Jay (angus@eburg.com), October 12, 1999.


Could it be that businesses are opposing I-695 simply because it is a poorly crafted initiative that would make the state of Washington a lousy place to do business? Hmm, there is a novel idea!

-- Dave Kovac (dpk9030@hotmail.com), October 12, 1999.

How could this state be a much worse place to do business, especially small business? Our insanely high sales, property, and B&O taxes, and very high minimum wage, not to mention the license tabs, all hit business hard. As a result, we are probably one of the least business-friendly states in the nation.

Now, if you're Boeing and have money to burn on big-buck lobbyists from your government contracts, well, you can get breaks from most of these taxes. But the average businessman doesn't have this advantage, so he gets to pay through the nose.

Just some points to ponder. Don't let trivial things like facts quell your religious fervor to hand over more of your hard-earned money to the extortionists in Olympis.

-- Joe Hylkema (josephhy@wsu.edu), October 12, 1999.


That was supposed to have been Olympia.

Sumtymes eye kant spel to gud.

-- Joe Hylkema (josephhy@wsu.edu), October 12, 1999.


or it could be that since all further tax increases will have to be ok.ed by the "public", who don't accept campaign contributions, big businesses won't have anybody to influence directly, and discretely.

-- no chance (kingoffools_99@yahoo.com), October 12, 1999.


I suspect that big businesses, like Boeing, who would normally be complaining about B & O taxes, etc. have been told by the folks in Olympia that if they help defeat I-695 they will get a bone. Conversly, if I-695 passes they have been threatened with more and higher taxes. And the irony is, because of the position they're taking, they just may get what they fear most. Since the power to increase taxes will rest with the people, the easiest tax increase to get voter approval on after I-695 might be a special tax on new airplanes. And all of Boeing's high priced lobbyists couldn't do anything about it.

-- Wayne Smith (wsmith@precisionimages.com), October 13, 1999.

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