2006 WA State Platform Comparison

In order to protect American lives and our national interests, we must engage terrorists before they attack American soil. Republicans support the Bush Administration's war on terror and the historical doctrine of pre-emption in U.S. conflicts.

Republicans believe in the need to review and reform the Critical Areas Ordinances, the Endangered Species Act, and other environmental regulations in order to avoid unnecessary limitations being imposed on Washington citizens. Republicans support legislation that will prohibit governmental agencies from using eminent domain for the development of private property in order to increase revenue. Republicans believe in compensating property owners at market value when their property is devalued or taken by government action. Republicans support a balanced approach to salmon recovery in the Pacific.

Republicans believe in the right of parents to direct the education of their children. Republicans support appropriate funding of public schools, including tax credits, vouchers, and charter schools. Republicans support graduation requirements that emphasize rigorous academic skills in English, literacy, mathematics, and sciences.

Republicans oppose a universal government-run health care system. Republicans support a free-market solution to keep costs down through increasing consumer choice and information. Health care is a personal issue and informed individuals can make better decisions about their own health care than government bureaucracies.

Republicans support I-601 which placed caps on taxes and government spending, but which was repealed by the Democrat-controlled State Legislature in 2005.  Republicans support making the Bush tax cuts permanent.  Republicans oppose any form of a state income tax.

Republicans support gaining control of our borders and adopting immigration reform that includes a guest worker program but does not include amnesty for those who have entered the country illegally.

State representatives silent

Here we go again! Spokane could be in danger of losing promised funds for the North-South Freeway ("East Side could lose highway funding," Jan. 26). It was money that was verbally promised to Spokane more than 15 years ago. (Maybe we should have gotten that in writing – oops.) The North-South Freeway was supposed to get that money. But state legislators say Spokane is in danger of losing $152 million for the corridor that is supposed to run from Highway 395 to Interstate 90 in east Spokane.

My question is: where are our District 3 representatives at? Sen. Lisa Brown is the majority leader. Why isn't she on the 6 o'clock news commenting on this issue? I see District 4 Lynn Schindler commenting on this. She is even saying that when the government makes a promise they should keep it. I agree with her on this. But I still believe that the District 3 representatives should be commenting because this project goes right through their district. Or are they for our funds going to Seattle once again?

Michael A. Novak
Spokane

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Expect an explanation

This is in reply to the letter authored by Michael Novak on Feb. 1, "State representatives silent." Mr. Novak raises a very good point: why are our representatives not saying anything about the funding? You would think that they have the best interests of Spokane at heart. Yet they haven't even deemed this subject worthy enough to explain to us, their contingency, what is going on and why just about any funding that is set aside for this side of the state continually seems to be re-routed back to Olympia.

I agree with Mr. Novak's assessment 100 percent. Our representative should at least give us the courtesy of explaining why we have to wait longer for the expansion projects that the money was slated for.

Robert Edinger
Airway Heights

 HOLD ON!!!!!!  No politician regardless of Party Affiliation can tell me that I have no alternative and that my daughter is to get this vaccination no matter what I have to say.  I don't think so!!!!

First of all, they are saying this vaccination has minimal side effects.  What are they?  Say what they are. 

Second of all, Governor Perry recieved a large campaign contribution from Merck during his campaign.  Why didn't Governor Perry take this through the State House for a vote?

Third of all, this vaccine has not been tested properly yet.  I know for a fact if something happens to my daughter that the Great State of Texas will be facing a lot of Lawsuits coming from me.

Below is an article about this current issue.

Mike

AUSTIN, TEXAS -- Texas Governor Rick Perry has signed an executive order that will require all schoolgirls to be vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.

Girls will have to get Merck's new vaccine Gardasil, which protects against strains of HPV that are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. Texas becomes the first state to require the shots.

Merck is paying for efforts to pass laws in several states that would require the vaccine for girls as young as eleven or 12.

Conservatives are concerned that the requirement will step on parental rights, and will signal tacit approval of sexual activity for young girls.

The federal government approved Gardasil in June, and a government advisory panel has recommended that all girls get the shots before they are likely to be sexually active.

I have always believed that the voters should decide major issues like same sex marriage and abortion rights. I have always remained middle of the road on those issues despite my personal opinions. Democracy is "We The People" decide.

The people are going to blow this one out of the water quickly.

I will campaign against this initiative with everything I have because some families are not ready for kids. Some cannot have kids like myself for instance. Others cannot afford to have kids. Some families already have kids. There are way too many loop holes in this initiative.

Most importantly the Government has no right to enforce on me to have kids. Whom ever thought up this initiative needs to go back and think about what they are proposing.

Mike

I-957: Married couples must have kids within three years

01:16 PM PST on Monday, February 5, 2007

Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- An initiative filed by proponents of same-sex marriage would require heterosexual couples to have kids within three years or else have their marriage annulled.

Initiative 957 was filed last month by Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance. That group was formed last summer after the state Supreme Court upheld Washington's ban on same-sex marriage.

Under the measure, marriage would be limited to men and women who are able to have children. Couples would be required to prove they can have children in order to get a marriage license, and if they did not have children within three years, their marriage would be subject to annulment.

All other marriages would be defined as "unrecognized" and people in those marriages would be ineligible to receive any marriage benefits.

Supporters must gather more than 224-thousand valid signatures by July 6 to put the initiative on the November ballot.

Opponents say the measure is another attack on traditional marriage, but supporters say the move is needed to have a discussion on the high court ruling.

I just learned a very disturbing fact about the total attendance for church in Washington and Oregon.  We go to One Spokane.  www.onespokane.com

Our pastor pointed out that only 3% of Washington and Oregon attend church.

So I ran the numbers on this news.  The total population of Oregon and Washington combined is 10,066,105 people. 

3% of the total population comes to 301,984 people.

Those are disturbing numbers.  So the way to fix this and increase the numbers are to spread the word of God.  After all thru God all things are possible.

Another issue I have remained silent on. 

First of all if you are sneaking into this country...my answer is no on citizenship.  Try coming to America the correct way. 

Another thing, do not come to this country and expect me to learn your language.  Enough of that mess.  Our native language is English.  Learn it.

Now I know about the drug trade and the tunnels.  I say it is time to make the penalty tougher on those we catch bringing drugs into America.  Keep your poison out!!!

If you are a terrorist and are sneaking into America across the border.  My advice to you is to read our Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.  (A lot of us do own guns.)  Just a piece of advice to you wannabe terrorists sneaking across the borders.

Now if you work in America, guess what...you can learn about our tax system.  Here in America it seems our Government loves to tax everybody.  Well, if you are coming to America for a job.  You will not be tax exempt.

Also if you are coming to America.   You will need to earn your living.  Not have us give you a house and money and grants and college funds and medical.  You can earn it like the rest of us.  No more free ride!!!! 

Welcome to America!!!

I am completely in shock over the fact that there are so many people that have never truly had an opportunity to talk one on one with somebody that is involved in politics. 

I have made it one of my goals to speak with people from all types of backgrounds.  I do not care about race, creed, religion, personal style, etc...

I might not always agree with everybody, but I am more then willing to listen to them.  I spoke with somebody the other day on MySpace that blew my mind.  I went to her MySpace and at first it scared the hell out of me.  But I read some of her stuff and I actually saw myself in that same exact predicament a few years ago.  Out of all of the invites I put out she was the one that asked the most questions.  One of the questions was to describe some of the things that I want to accomplish in Spokane in 100 words or less. WOW!!  Never judge a person by how they may appear.  They are a lot smarter then one may think.  I think she may have a future job as a reporter.  She is one of the smartest people that I have ever spoken with.  (If you read this...thank you!!)

But one thing I am bound and determined to do is get to know the people.  A politician is not elected to just represent his or her own interest.  They are elected to represent the people. 

Well, that is the way it is suppose to be anyways.  Unfortunately that is not what is happening with our current State Government.  The politicians have their own personal agenda and it appears not to include the needs of Spokane.  Ask where the funding for the North South freeway went.  Or ask about the big jobs that where set to come to Spokane that chose Post Falls or Portland.  Or how about we just ask the politicians why they are so silent and not talking to people at all.  There not even on MySpace or the local TV. 

So I will keep asking everybody what they think can be fixed.  I will keep posting blogs and ask people their opinions.  I will search for answers to some of the problems we face.  But one problem that I have discovered is that "The government is not the solution to our problems, they are the problem".

Another question is this:  Who do you trust with your money?  The government or yourself?  If you trust yourself then take a look at my ideas and eventually vote for me.  If you trust the government then vote for my future opponent, because the guy that I will be running against has always voted to raise your taxes every single time.  I will fight tooth and nail against anymore tax increases.  We are already one of the highest taxed in the Nation.

But the most important issue is the people.  That is the people from every single social background there is that makes up this city.  That is why it is called a society.  They are the ones that matter. 

So everybody matters.

February 8th was my first day as a Volunteer Teacher's Assistant for a local First Grade class.  I will be doing this every Thursday for the next couple of month's.  It was both fun and interesting.

After class I spoke with the teacher about everything I noticed and was really concerned about.  One thing I noticed was there was not much time for the teacher to effectively teach the class on any particuliar subject.  The other thing I discovered was that a lot of the supplies where purchased by the teacher herself.  I also noticed that the playground equipment was very old.  One parent I spoke with told me that the equipment on the playground was the same exact stuff she played on as a child.  Teachers and parents both said that if the equipment was to ever be replaced it would have to be funded through a fund raiser.  I was stunned.  They even still have that old style bark on the playground instead of that recycled rubber.  Even something like that recycled rubber is safer for the children other then that old bark stuff. 

I finally broke down and asked if all of the experts and articles I have ever read saying that the children's first seven years are the most vital was correct or not? They told me it was very true and accurate because the first seven years sets the pattern for the rest of their lives.  So then I asked the question....does Olympia fund you like the Representatives say they will during Campaigns?  The answer was no they don't because it all goes to High Schools and that Elementary Schools are second tier to Olympia.  The other thing is that when the Teachers ask about the funding the Representatives always say that something is being worked out. 

But it never is worked out.  It is still all talk.  The Representatives for District 3 are silent on this issue just like every other issue.  I asked those Teachers today, that if somebody was ever elected to Olympia that had a voice and could not be ignored could ever make a difference?  They said YES!!!  But it would have to be somebody that is willing to stand up and shout out that we will not be ignored anymore.