I am concerned about the effects of I-695. First of all, where does the funding that I-695 repeals come from now that the car tabs are to be $30? And, on that note, are you telling me that people who drive BMW's and Land Cruisers only have to pay the same tax I pay on my 1992 Geo Prizm? Is that fair? No. Should Spokane have to give up the long-awaited North-South Freeway Corridor because people who are not still in college, as I am, decided to eliminate all state funding for all the major infrastructure projects in the state's second-largest city in one initiative? NO! I don't mind having my tabs reduced to $30, but no one has said anything about what we'll do for money now. I'm angry that people could be so careless and not examine the consequences of this initiative more carefully (and I'm Republican!) People need to elect representatives and guide them, through the lines of communication, toward what the people want. Ultimately, however,when people elect a representative, the rep's job is to do what's in the people's best interest, and though our government is not perfect, we can't just assume legislative powers ourselves every time someone wants to put an initiative to a vote. Should the voters of Washington have direct control over the way taxes are collected and spent here? No. It's inefficient and so many people are uneducated about the issues, as this initiative illustrates. This initiative is going to cause a lot of problems, and nothing I've heard from the leadership behind it offers any solutions. That's bad government.

-- Jonathan French (french.3@nd.edu), November 22, 1999

Answers

Well gee Jonathan. All the things that you're complaining about is what got a majority vote. So are you going to abide by the will of the majority, start a revolution, or what?

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), November 22, 1999.

Jonathan

I can only assume from your addy that you're a student.

You have two choices:

1. Continue to pay what you would have paid had 695 failed. After all, we would HATE to have you in the opposition burdened by a failure to do your bit. Wouldn't want any hypocrisy here, now would we?

2. Run on down to Olympia and start your OWN initiative, if you think this one is so bad. After all, practically every one will acquiesce to your enlightened perspective, right?

Westin

"Have you emailed Rep. Fisher (fisher_ru@leg.wa.gov) to resign today?"

-- Westin (jimwestin@netscape.net), November 22, 1999.

I agree with you Jonathan. But what these people don't understand, even more so now with the "Son of I-695", is that the surplus of $1 billion or whatever will run out, and then where is the money going to come from? Do you know anyone who is going to vote FOR a new tax or an increase in taxes? No. So we'll have 16 months (or so) of surplus covered transportation expenses, and then what? Haven't heard yet, the proponents can apparently only think 16 months in advance. Another interesting tid bit I heard today is the department that covers the controlled burning law is limiting their employees to one (1) in my area that will enforce the new no burning at ALL law. This one (1) employee is going to service twenty (20) counties. Why is this a problem? Because the fire dpts will have nothing to do with enforcing this law. And with only one person to cover twenty counties, do you think everyone will be abiding by this law? No. Do you think a fire might get out of control? Yes. Is this good? No. The cut in employees from this ecology department is unfortunately a "benefit" of 695.

ps-can we debate like adults in here, instead of using threats and insults please?

-- cave canine (cavecanine@hotmail.com), November 22, 1999.

Jonathan,

We are all concerned with the effects of I-695! Every city and county in WA has their needs. But, there are many concerns of waste of the taxpayers monies.

You say: "People need to elect representatives and guide them, through the lines of communication, toward what the people want."

We have been electing and "communicating" with our electees for 200+ years, and it does NOT work. They do not listen to us. We are not Happy Campers.

You continue: "Ultimately, however, when people elect a representative, the rep's job is to do what's in the people's best interest...."

In a perfect world, yes. Here on Planet Earth/USA? Nope.

My last quote from your intro: "...and though our government is not perfect, we can't just assume legislative powers ourselves every time someone wants to put an initiative to a vote."

Yes, our government is NOT perfect, but it does allow for provisions, such as initiatives, and a takeover of legislative powers if our elected officials can't handle it.

It goes back to (1776) when it was: A government of the people, for the people and by the people.

It's time for The People to step up and be counted.

-- Jim DeFord (jimdeford@home.com), November 22, 1999.

"the surplus of $1 billion or whatever will run out, and then where is the money going to come from? " It doesn't! That's the idea. REDUCE government by 2%. Learn to live with that. Why is this a difficult concept to understand. Don't rob Peter to pay Paul. Leave Peter AND Paul alone. How difficult a concept is this?

-- Mark Stilson (mark842@hotmail.com), November 22, 1999.

Your worry about where the money will come from is exactly what caused the people of your state to push forward this initiative in the first place! Where IS the money going to come from?! How much money is enough? When and where do you draw the line? As long as you have government programs, your going to need money to run them. And they will be run as inefficiently as the scoundrels can possibly run them. And they will continue to grow and require more and more of the taxpayer.

What Tim Eyman and the people of Washington State did was take a courageous stand against the powers that be. They put the breaks on their spending, and look at the response they are getting from Republicans and Democrats alike! Open your eyes. The powers that be are not for you. They are against you.

I, too, and a Republican. And I am disgusted and disappointed that the Republican party isn't applauding this initiative.

Do yourself and the good people of Washington State a favor and lend your support to their efforts. You don't need more government, bigger government and more inefficient government. Cut the wasteful programs and taxes as well. PRIVATIZE!! Or you will someday have a state like the one I live in, New York. Then you'll be sorry!

One half acre of land in my middle class suburb costs me $6000 a year. 8.25% sales tax. Tax on any and everything! And the highest % they can squeeze out of us!

Wake Up America!!

Arlene

-- Arlene Otto (otto_2000@hotmail.com), November 22, 1999.

Jonathan, I be one of those "uneducated" people about issues, and eyes X my mark on the paper that said yes to I-695. Only in America could an "uneducated" people change a governmnent with the stroke of a pen instead of a gun. It's nice, as you pointed, out that we have educated people out there looking out for us. Woodn't it be so much nicer in they could do all our thinking for us. Like tell me when to wake up, what job I should do today, and how I should spend my money. Maybe the educated should just take everything I earn and decide where it should be spent too. They could give me housing, food, amd medical for my family. Oh, I forget, some gernment over in Europe, at least I think it was in Europe, I be educated in public school, tried that. While watching a rerun of Happy Days I saw that some gernment didn't make it. I believe that I-695 is a start to better government. Let's make the educated educate us and not assume they know what is best.

-- Alex R. Glemzu (gmdss@sinclair.net), November 24, 1999.

"Another interesting tid bit I heard today is the department that covers the controlled burning law is limiting their employees to one (1) in my area that will enforce the new no burning at ALL law. This one (1) employee is going to service twenty (20) counties. Why is this a problem? Because the fire dpts will have nothing to do with enforcing this law. And with only one person to cover twenty counties, do you think everyone will be abiding by this law? No. Do you think a fire might get out of control? " Excuse me cave dog, but even YOU ought to understand that the controlled burning law is monitored by the environmental people for the purpose of AIR POLLUTION, not fire safety. That's why the fire departments don't give a rat's rear about it. You'd think that a "canine" could at least cry "wolf" with a little bit of accuracy, rather than demonstrate abysmal ignorance.

-- Mark Stilson (mark842@hotmail.com), November 24, 1999.