Seems like Boeing is having a tough time selling anything these days. Not only is Airbus taking orders away from them right and left, even the people of Washington aren't buying their b.s. line about I-695. How frustrating it must be - they spend tens of millions of dollars on buying legislators and lobbyists in Olympia. And it was working, too. They've been able to get just about anything they want the last few years. And it's all for naught. These idiots (citizens) who are too stupid to know the first about government and can't even manage their own money, come along and screw it all up with this nonsense about the public voting on every tax increase. How in the world is Boeing supposed to control everybody in the state?

And even when Boeing threatens to move out of Washington, nobody gets excited. Nobody's buying the 'cry wolf' routine anymore. Get a grip, Boeing, of course you could probably build airplanes cheaper in Alabama, but who would want to fly in a new jet built by low cost inexperienced labor. You think you're having trouble selling planes, now...

Boeing management had better quit trying to run the government and build better airplanes or there won't be a company left to move.

-- Wayne (wsmith@precisionimages.com), October 16, 1999

Answers

If we fined them for WISHA violations, we could replace the MVET money, pretty close.

-- zowie (zowie@hotmail.com), October 16, 1999.

With all of the controversy surrounding I-695, it's difficult to understand why Boeing is so worried about the citizenry voting "yes." I'm not an employee of Boeing, nor a former employee, but know enough about their corporate-giant philosophy to distrust anything that comes from their cadre of highly-paid spokespersons. Boeing cares absolutely nothing about the individual citizens of the region, only itself and the politicians who wrangle "deals" and grant concessions (including tax deferrals and exemptions). I am not for one moment swayed by the politcal propaganda spewed forth from the mouths of our elected officials, nor Boeing. Now that the tables have turned and the "other side" is faced with having to reconcile with a new budget, I have no sympathy. By voting "yes" on I-695, let the little people of Washington State send a clear signal to the arrogant and out of touch legislature that we have had enough of unfair taxes. Todd Hyder, Evere

-- Todd Hyder (lyussy@earthlink.net), October 17, 1999.

When I read that Boeing my have to move... I've never laughed so hard in my 37 years.

Where would they go that has the cheap electricity, skilled labor, politicians so cheap, an infrustructor that can sustain them, and they would have to build an even bigger building than the one in Everett.

Besides, who else would need that building in Everett? It's the biggest building in the world.

What a hoot.....

-- William Sheehan (wsheehan@billsheehan.com), October 17, 1999.

you laugh now, but if boeing leaves, this state is hurtin. Boeing contributes more to the state's economy than you know. Do you have any idea how many jobs Boeing has created. just because their political stance is different than you is no reason to "boycott" boeing. I would be willing to bet that you would take a job there in a heartbeat, and so would most other people. and just fyi, boeing is not just a Seattle company, they have buildings in spokane as well.

-- tom nichols (nichols@hotmail.com), October 17, 1999.