They all know they violated the public trust
Permalink +Sun, Mar 28, 2004, 5:19 pm // John Servais
Before Wednesday, Gov. Locke will act on SB6453, the primary election bill. There has been no news on his deliberations these past two weeks. All legislators are very quiet. No press releases by the party bosses. The Seattle Times editorialized for the Top 2. The Olympian editorialized for the Top 2. The Seattle PI editorialized against the Top 2. And our Bham Herald editorialized for the Top 2.Here is what is about to happen. Either Locke will veto the 'Top 2' section or, if he signs the full bill, then the two political parties will immediately file a lawsuit demanding they have the right to decide which candidates can label themselves Republican or Democrat. Our legislators crafted the bill to allow this lawsuit to be successful and overturn the 'Top 2' section.
Don't bother writing or phoning the Governor on this. Raw power - political power of party bosses - is what will influence Locke on this one. They are the group threatening us with a lawsuit. The local Democrat and Republican party workers are for the most part just dupes following the party line and speaking against the Top 2 primary election process. I've been getting a lot of email from them - angry that I would suggest their party would stoop to trying to control our election process. Sorry folks - it is true. The parties want to control the final two candidates we get to vote for in the general election. They work together to keep others out of the election process. Their arguments that the 'Top 2' is flawed against independents is a very self-serving argument.
Notice no legislators are speaking about the bill - the most important legislation they passed. Why not? Because they all know they violated the public trust and passed a bill that satisfies the party bosses - a bill with poison-pill wording. Those who voted for and against SB6453 know it is a fraud that invites either a partial veto or a lawsuit. Shame on them.
Powerful groups are trying to gain control of the very core of our democratic process - our election process. Our "leaders" - our elected representatives and officials - are all cowering and wishing they had never been put in the position of having to decide on this. Their political party bosses put extraordinary pressure on them and they all caved in. All.
The Washington State Grange will be our rescuers on this over the summer. We should be ready to support them.
Related Links:
-> Washington State Grange
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No Locke on SB6453
Wed, Mar 31, 2004, 5:06 pm // John Servais
Gov. Locke is not scheduled to act on the primary election bill today. This the 20th day since the legislature adjourned and supposedly the last…0 comments
For those who are in awe of the ‘experts’ in Olympia
Tue, Mar 30, 2004, 5:12 pm // John Servais
For your morning entertainment. And for those who are in awe of the 'experts' in Olympia. Gov Locke vetoes three sections of a bill meant…0 comments
They all know they violated the public trust
Sun, Mar 28, 2004, 5:19 pm // John Servais
Before Wednesday, Gov. Locke will act on SB6453, the primary election bill. There has been no news on his deliberations these past two weeks. All…0 comments
Let the parties use the caucuses
Fri, Mar 19, 2004, 5:24 pm // John Servais
Gov. Locke has not acted on the primary election bill. No doubt he is wondering how his reputation will be hurt if he vetoes the…0 comments
Locke is working _with_ the party machines
Sun, Mar 14, 2004, 5:29 pm // John Servais
Today's Bham Herald editorial is well meaning but hopelessly ignorant of the process in Olympia. Naive may be a better word to describe their editorial…0 comments
Delays are due to secret bargaining
Sat, Mar 13, 2004, 5:42 pm // John Servais
Will Gov Locke veto the 'Top 2' primary process and allow the Montana process to become law? Probably, but not necessarily. He may sign the…0 comments
Expect a partial veto
Wed, Mar 10, 2004, 10:40 pm // John Servais
The 'Top 2' primary election bill has a poison pill in it. Our legislators tonight have changed just three words that will allow the Republican…0 comments
Voting against democracy
Tue, Mar 09, 2004, 6:04 pm // John Servais
We have Kelli Linville and Doug Ericksen voting against democracy and for the iron grip of the two political parties on our election process. Shame…0 comments
They always say they “suspended the rules”
Tue, Mar 09, 2004, 1:07 am // John Servais
SB6453 passed the House late this evening by a vote of 51 to 46. Now - if Gov. Locke will just sign it. More when…0 comments
Democracy on the line
Thu, Mar 04, 2004, 6:14 pm // John Servais
On Friday morning at 8 am, the WA House committee on government will hold a hearing on the "Top 2" primary election bill - Senate…0 comments
Top 2 primary election bill, SB6453
Wed, Mar 03, 2004, 6:17 pm // John Servais
- Senate Bill number 6453 - has passed the Washington State Senate by a vote of 28 to 20. This is the primary that allows…0 comments
Traffic and Western Washington University
Mon, Mar 01, 2004, 6:20 pm // John Servais
If WWU gets their way, $20 million in state taxes will be spent on jack-hammering out good roads and building new ones a hundred yards…0 comments
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