Greetings,
Well, on Monday June 30th I had to send in all of the signatures I'd gathered for Initiative 1030 which was designed to lower property taxes 30% across the state. I think that between the signatures I got personally and the ones I mailed to people, I helped gather about 4-500 names total. I really hope we got enough signatures to qualify for the general election, but if we didn't make it at least we tried. We didn't just sit back and bitch, we actually tried to do something about Washington states bottomless pit of out of control taxation..
Besides, even if we didn't get all the signatures we needed, I truly believe that we sent a major message to the legislature that there are a lot of people out here that are just fed up. And who knows what seeds may sprout from our efforts. I sure compliment Wynn Cannon, the League of Washington Taxpayers and all the individuals who worked on this campaign. I think that participating in our political system is a right and a privilege and a very important part of being an American citizen.
Moving right along, I have an idea that potentially could be a very positive thing for taxpayers everywhere. After spending 5 years working for the City of Tacoma, I noticed that at the end of each fiscal year, there is a mad scramble to spend whatever was left in each department's annual budget so that they wouldn't get any less the following year.There are absolutely no incentives for coming in under budget
I think that every public, tax funded organization including schools, police, fire, libraries as well as local, state and federal agencies should be forced to implement a program similar to what already exists in many corporations. My idea is simply to offer a variety of percentage based cash bonus programs for ideas that can and do save money each of these public agencies . For example, if John Smith, the local librarian or Jane Doe, a local police officer, comes up with a cost saving idea, they would receive a cash bonus for that suggestion. It would be an excellent first step to developing a sense of pride within public agencies that would be based on saving money, and not just constantly striving to spend more and more money each year.
To me it just sounds like common sense. But maybe it's true that common sense isn't so common after all.
Be well, Pat
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Yippee-Ki-Yay
Greetings-
It's been a long time since I've written anything here, but there was really nothing that positive to report about as far as property tax relief. Until now. Wynn Cannon, from The League of Washington Taxpayers, has pulled off a truly remarkable feat. He and his supporters have actually come up with Initiative 1030, which is designed specifically to lower property taxes by 30%. Yippee-Ki-Yay is my response to that. After meeting with all of my district's legislators for over an hour each, writing an 800 word article for my local newspaper, and even going to the state capitol to call attention to the out of control property taxes in our state, I finally gave up trying to work with the legislature. Although there are some very excellent legislators down there, they're definitely in the minority. Most of those Olympia bozos haven't seen a tax or a budget increase or a cost overrun that they won't vote for. They just don't get it. They don't seem to understand how angry and frustrated the average taxpayer is about 30+ Percent increases in just two years in the state budget. And how we're not only getting slammed by the thugs at the oil companies, but now we're getting hit even harder by ever increasing taxes from the same people we elected to represent us and look after our interests. Boy, if our forefathers thought taxation without representation was bad, they should try taxation WITH representation.
A good case in point is my one of my local house representatives. In looking over his voting record, I couldn't find one instance of him not voting for a tax or fee increase unless the democrats were against it. And not once could I find where he voted against his party. Not on even one issue. He had the audacity to call my home on a Saturday morning and send me insulting e-mails because I dared to tell him that people are sick and tired of all the political B.S. and constant infighting. And that a lot of folks out there that believe politicians could care less about you unless you're a big donor or a lobbyist. He had the gall to tell me that bi-partisanship and co-operation were alive and well in Olympia. What a joke! If you don't believe me just look up almost any bill you choose and you'll see that Democrats and Republican votes are almost always totally Partisan. And during our first meeting he told me that rising property appraisals had very little to do with rising property taxes. What kind of fools does he think we are? I believe he's a classic example of why we need to get rid of people like him and get some people in office who actually care about the average voter. people who will walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Maybe elect some people who remember that government is supposed to be of the people, for the people and by the people.
Anyway, I've already started passing out petitions for Initiative 1030. To hell with dealing with the legislature. As usual, we the people must take it upon ourselves to get any kind of meaningful property tax reform. Even if this initiative passes, I'm afraid that the Olympia sleeze balls will somehow overturn it. Just like $30 car tabs. Thank God they haven't been able to stop the initiative process although they'd like to. Olympia hates the people having any power at all. That's so apparent to anyone who follows their actions.
I'm never sure if anyone will read this, but if you do read this and you'd like to help us get signatures, please send me a message and I will send you some signature forms. Keep the faith...some of us are still fighting for our homes.
It's been a long time since I've written anything here, but there was really nothing that positive to report about as far as property tax relief. Until now. Wynn Cannon, from The League of Washington Taxpayers, has pulled off a truly remarkable feat. He and his supporters have actually come up with Initiative 1030, which is designed specifically to lower property taxes by 30%. Yippee-Ki-Yay is my response to that. After meeting with all of my district's legislators for over an hour each, writing an 800 word article for my local newspaper, and even going to the state capitol to call attention to the out of control property taxes in our state, I finally gave up trying to work with the legislature. Although there are some very excellent legislators down there, they're definitely in the minority. Most of those Olympia bozos haven't seen a tax or a budget increase or a cost overrun that they won't vote for. They just don't get it. They don't seem to understand how angry and frustrated the average taxpayer is about 30+ Percent increases in just two years in the state budget. And how we're not only getting slammed by the thugs at the oil companies, but now we're getting hit even harder by ever increasing taxes from the same people we elected to represent us and look after our interests. Boy, if our forefathers thought taxation without representation was bad, they should try taxation WITH representation.
A good case in point is my one of my local house representatives. In looking over his voting record, I couldn't find one instance of him not voting for a tax or fee increase unless the democrats were against it. And not once could I find where he voted against his party. Not on even one issue. He had the audacity to call my home on a Saturday morning and send me insulting e-mails because I dared to tell him that people are sick and tired of all the political B.S. and constant infighting. And that a lot of folks out there that believe politicians could care less about you unless you're a big donor or a lobbyist. He had the gall to tell me that bi-partisanship and co-operation were alive and well in Olympia. What a joke! If you don't believe me just look up almost any bill you choose and you'll see that Democrats and Republican votes are almost always totally Partisan. And during our first meeting he told me that rising property appraisals had very little to do with rising property taxes. What kind of fools does he think we are? I believe he's a classic example of why we need to get rid of people like him and get some people in office who actually care about the average voter. people who will walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Maybe elect some people who remember that government is supposed to be of the people, for the people and by the people.
Anyway, I've already started passing out petitions for Initiative 1030. To hell with dealing with the legislature. As usual, we the people must take it upon ourselves to get any kind of meaningful property tax reform. Even if this initiative passes, I'm afraid that the Olympia sleeze balls will somehow overturn it. Just like $30 car tabs. Thank God they haven't been able to stop the initiative process although they'd like to. Olympia hates the people having any power at all. That's so apparent to anyone who follows their actions.
I'm never sure if anyone will read this, but if you do read this and you'd like to help us get signatures, please send me a message and I will send you some signature forms. Keep the faith...some of us are still fighting for our homes.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Throw the bums out!
Greetings
I have come to several conclusions lately. Not all original, of course. The first conclusion I've come to is that politicians are like diapers. They need to be changed often and usually for the same reason. For those politicians that are more concerned about partisan politics and their re-election than they are about solving the many, many problems that we face today, they NEED to be thrown out of office. And the sooner the better. Time is truly of the essence.
Another thing I've learned is that there are some basically decent people who happen to be politicians. There are a few that honestly care. There are a few who try to build coalitions with the opposing party and incorporate ideas from both sides of the aisle. But they're rare. Partisanship paralysis is killing our Democratic system. Unless you're a lobbyist or a generous contributor, you basically are not even a blip on a politician's radar. I'm sure people like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Ben Franklin are rolling over in their graves.
Another rather painful thing I've learned is that absolutely nothing will change until the average American gets out from in front of their T.V's , and gets off their butts. Voting would be a good start, contacting their legislators with opinions and feedback would help too. As Martin Luther King once said, (I'm paraphrasing), "If you're not a part of the solution, than you're part of the problem" and "Evil is not just perpetuated by the actions of the bad people but by the lack of action by the good people."
There does not seem to be one leader on the horizon that will solve our problems. WE have to solve our problems. We have to get involved. WE have to do it. If we wait for someone to come along and save us, we're screwed. Literally and figuratively.
Here is a quote I was recently sent by someone who is doing something, Lee Iacocca.
"Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind and we can't even clean up after a hurricane, much less build a truly fuel efficient automobile. But instead of getting mad, we all sit around and nod our heads when politicians say 'Stay the course' Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned 'Titanic.' I'll give you a sound bite. 'Throw all the bums out!' You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker,and maybe I have.But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore." excerpts from "Where have all the leaders gone" by Lee Iacocca. Read it. It'll be good for you.
I'm going to end this for now with a quote from Pogo. "We have met the enemy, and it is us!"
More to come..I'm not giving up, Pat
I have come to several conclusions lately. Not all original, of course. The first conclusion I've come to is that politicians are like diapers. They need to be changed often and usually for the same reason. For those politicians that are more concerned about partisan politics and their re-election than they are about solving the many, many problems that we face today, they NEED to be thrown out of office. And the sooner the better. Time is truly of the essence.
Another thing I've learned is that there are some basically decent people who happen to be politicians. There are a few that honestly care. There are a few who try to build coalitions with the opposing party and incorporate ideas from both sides of the aisle. But they're rare. Partisanship paralysis is killing our Democratic system. Unless you're a lobbyist or a generous contributor, you basically are not even a blip on a politician's radar. I'm sure people like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Ben Franklin are rolling over in their graves.
Another rather painful thing I've learned is that absolutely nothing will change until the average American gets out from in front of their T.V's , and gets off their butts. Voting would be a good start, contacting their legislators with opinions and feedback would help too. As Martin Luther King once said, (I'm paraphrasing), "If you're not a part of the solution, than you're part of the problem" and "Evil is not just perpetuated by the actions of the bad people but by the lack of action by the good people."
There does not seem to be one leader on the horizon that will solve our problems. WE have to solve our problems. We have to get involved. WE have to do it. If we wait for someone to come along and save us, we're screwed. Literally and figuratively.
Here is a quote I was recently sent by someone who is doing something, Lee Iacocca.
"Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind and we can't even clean up after a hurricane, much less build a truly fuel efficient automobile. But instead of getting mad, we all sit around and nod our heads when politicians say 'Stay the course' Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned 'Titanic.' I'll give you a sound bite. 'Throw all the bums out!' You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker,and maybe I have.But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore." excerpts from "Where have all the leaders gone" by Lee Iacocca. Read it. It'll be good for you.
I'm going to end this for now with a quote from Pogo. "We have met the enemy, and it is us!"
More to come..I'm not giving up, Pat
Saturday, February 16, 2008
OK, you win, I give up! (Almost...)
Greetings-
It's been a couple of months since I wrote anything. I'll try and explain. The last time I made an entry I had just met with my second legislator and I had one more to go. Well, I've finally met with all three reps from my district. Although I found all of them to be pretty nice individuals in a one on one situation, when they go to Olympia and form a herd, it's like Jeckyl and Hyde literally.
After all their talk about how much they care and how they feel our property taxes are out of control, there will be absolutely no meaningful reform or mercy for taxpayers from this legislative session. What a total waste of time on my part. I could have been playing with my grandkids, or visiting with my wife or petting my dog instead of wasting my time listening to their crap. I feel hoodwinked, angry and just generally frustrated.
It's become very apparent to me that the ONLY thing the legislators, in general, care about is power and being re-elected. If you're not a lobbyist or a big donor to their campaigns, your opinion to them means absolutely nothing. Every person I know feels they're being reamed by taxes in general and property taxes in particular. But still the legislature doesn't give a rat's butt about whether or not they tax you out of your home.. It really is time to get rid of every cowardly, backstabbing, tax raising slimeball in our legislature. They know who they are and so should you.
In the last three months I have tried to have a positive attitude and have tried to work within the system. I have met for at least an hour with each of my legislators, I wrote an 800 word guest columnist article on property taxes for my local paper, I started this blog, I helped with the anti-tax rally in Olympia, I went to a property tax forum at our community center. What a fool I was. I actually believed that if your cause was just and sincere that one person could make a difference. Well no more. I'm smarter now.
Our legislature, once they're all snuggled up in their marble palace in Olympia, is a bad joke. I now fully believe that all most of our legislators want to do is tax, tax, tax and then tax some more. Our bi-annual budget has increased 33% in two years and there is no end in sight. Governor Gregoire has added literally thousands and thousands of new state jobs. The definition I still like most of politics is "poli meaning many and "tics' meaning blood sucking parasites. It's never been more true. At this point, every tax increasing legislator in Olympia had better watch out. Someday, somehow, the general public will wake up and throw the bums out. Maybe someday we'll actually have a majority of politicians with courage and vision, but probably not in our lifetime. I'm done with politicians. Our system is broken. Maybe beyond repair.
However there is some hope on the horizon. The League of Washington Taxpayers(21,000 strong), headed up by a noble and decent man named Wynn Cannon is working on an initiative that would force the powers to be to reduce property taxes 25% across the board. I and many other people will be working our tails off to make this happen. Since the legislature won't do a damn thing thing, once again it will be up to the people to rise up, get involved, and force our legislators to take action or go home and let someone who cares have a chance. Apparently they're just too ignorant or too pig-headed to get the message voters sent in the last election. That is that we're fed up. We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore.
More to come, be well, Pat
It's been a couple of months since I wrote anything. I'll try and explain. The last time I made an entry I had just met with my second legislator and I had one more to go. Well, I've finally met with all three reps from my district. Although I found all of them to be pretty nice individuals in a one on one situation, when they go to Olympia and form a herd, it's like Jeckyl and Hyde literally.
After all their talk about how much they care and how they feel our property taxes are out of control, there will be absolutely no meaningful reform or mercy for taxpayers from this legislative session. What a total waste of time on my part. I could have been playing with my grandkids, or visiting with my wife or petting my dog instead of wasting my time listening to their crap. I feel hoodwinked, angry and just generally frustrated.
It's become very apparent to me that the ONLY thing the legislators, in general, care about is power and being re-elected. If you're not a lobbyist or a big donor to their campaigns, your opinion to them means absolutely nothing. Every person I know feels they're being reamed by taxes in general and property taxes in particular. But still the legislature doesn't give a rat's butt about whether or not they tax you out of your home.. It really is time to get rid of every cowardly, backstabbing, tax raising slimeball in our legislature. They know who they are and so should you.
In the last three months I have tried to have a positive attitude and have tried to work within the system. I have met for at least an hour with each of my legislators, I wrote an 800 word guest columnist article on property taxes for my local paper, I started this blog, I helped with the anti-tax rally in Olympia, I went to a property tax forum at our community center. What a fool I was. I actually believed that if your cause was just and sincere that one person could make a difference. Well no more. I'm smarter now.
Our legislature, once they're all snuggled up in their marble palace in Olympia, is a bad joke. I now fully believe that all most of our legislators want to do is tax, tax, tax and then tax some more. Our bi-annual budget has increased 33% in two years and there is no end in sight. Governor Gregoire has added literally thousands and thousands of new state jobs. The definition I still like most of politics is "poli meaning many and "tics' meaning blood sucking parasites. It's never been more true. At this point, every tax increasing legislator in Olympia had better watch out. Someday, somehow, the general public will wake up and throw the bums out. Maybe someday we'll actually have a majority of politicians with courage and vision, but probably not in our lifetime. I'm done with politicians. Our system is broken. Maybe beyond repair.
However there is some hope on the horizon. The League of Washington Taxpayers(21,000 strong), headed up by a noble and decent man named Wynn Cannon is working on an initiative that would force the powers to be to reduce property taxes 25% across the board. I and many other people will be working our tails off to make this happen. Since the legislature won't do a damn thing thing, once again it will be up to the people to rise up, get involved, and force our legislators to take action or go home and let someone who cares have a chance. Apparently they're just too ignorant or too pig-headed to get the message voters sent in the last election. That is that we're fed up. We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore.
More to come, be well, Pat
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