Initiative 912

[island911]

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
I think what irks most people is the manner in which they (yes, those nasty Dems) went about this. Any tax increase would have, under those circumstances, caused an outrage. The first thing they did upon returning to work this year was to repeal the law enacted by initiative that would have required a super majority to raise taxes. Just too damn inconvenient for your average tax-and-spend Dem to rally bi-partisian support. I think the nine cents is secondary to that. If they would have kept the law intact and had gained enough support to pass the new tax, I think it would have a much greater measure of credibility.

So here we have a governor that won under very questionable circumstances; many feel her party "stole" the election in King County to get her in. First thing she does is repeal the "will of the people", the initiative that was meant to keep taxation a bit in check. Her next inspired act is to raise taxes for one and all to pay for what is very clearly a King County transportation problem (with some spillover into Pierce and Snohomish counties). No, it's not about the money this time. The whole set of circumstances leading up to the increase have left a very bad taste in most people's mouths. The "Governor of King County" and her maternalistic party are trying to make a fed up citizenry take their medicine. It may be good for them, but they are not happy and they are not going to swallow it.

Excellent post.

[Superman]

Originally posted by cowtown

San Francisco Bay Bridge earthquake retrofit after Loma Prieta earthquake:

Cost estimate: $200 million.
Current cost: $5.5 billion. Project incomplete.



I'm sure you'll have an appropriately snarky way of telling everyone that this one example does not count. However, this one case illustrates that, just because you haven't seen a public agency mess up that badly, doesn't mean they don't.

No snark. That's a fine example, which I appreciate.

[Superman]

Originally posted by island911
"That'd solve about .001% of the problem. " pull another number outta yer ass.

I've read our state funded propaganda of how the 520 bridge "is just a tremor away from shutdown or collapse. . .., the loss of life and disruption to our economy . ..."

and more rhetoric There ya go, "crippling death plague" . . .what more is ther to know?

Be scared . .be VERY scared!

Look, supe; I'm not apposed to building more roads and bridges. I'm just tired of this state 'gubmint' refusing to be realistic . . they look for thhe BIG grandious projects (stadiums included) as their litmus test, and excuss, to squeeze the tax-payer harder, and harder.

As to the specifics of the 520 bridge engineering; from what little Ive seen the solution of tearing it down, for the problems it has, is like taking a 911 to a crusher because it got some rust in the wings.

Right you are, Island. I don't know how much the rescheduling of professional sporting events could ease the traffic burden here. Somewhat, I suspect. Not completely, I am confident.

I have a hard time understanding the psyche which would conclude that efforts to address the transportation problem are for the deliberate purpose of squeezing the taxpayer harder and harder. I must be naive, thinking that there is a traffic problem, and noticing what appears to be efforts to address the problem, and not noticing like you do that these efforts are simply pursued in order to inflict financial pain on taxpayers. Silly me. I thought it was about roads, and I was under the impression that funding is a necessary element for that.

Sounds like you've noticed just what I've noticed. That some folks are warning that the 520 bridge is nearing its useful service life. I know you mechanical/electrical/etc. engineers sneer at the Civil guys, but my hat is off to them, frankly. Their foe is Mother Nature, and she always gets the last laugh. It's not a matter of whether she will reclaim those structures....it's a matter of when. Perhaps the 530 can be renovated in a cost effective way. Sounds like you have the same information I have, and that you know that renovation makes more sense than replacement. Again, I have a hard time understaning that level of brilliance.

[Superman]

Originally posted by island911
Excellent post.

Agreed. Many of Jeff's posts are quite thoughty.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally posted by Superman
Agreed. Many of Jeff's posts are quite thoughty.

I wish my wife thought I was more "thoughty".

[Drago]

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
I wish my wife thought I was more "thoughty".

I think your "thoughty" but only in the most hetero of ways.