Washblog

Glad you're on our side seabos...
I'm still sifting through the 130 pictures I took yesterday...will post a page of those ASAP!

by dinazina on Sat Jan 06, 2007 at 01:44:55 PM PST

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First, it was great to see so many Washblogians last night and meet some for the first time face to face.

Over here at our new Democracy for Snohomish County Blog, I have written a piece on the event we hosted in Everett on Thursday night. I was proud to be the MC at the event which featured the legislators from Maine and Arizona as well as Joe McDermott from Ivan's beloved 34th LD.

At the event last night, Sirota reminded us of the most basic fact about Clean Elections: without Clean Elections, hope for Universal Healthcare, Responsible Environmental Policy - including action on Global Warming, real Fiscal Responsibility, true Education Reform, and so many other progressive issues will only receive limited action and increasing lip service.

The question about a citizen's initiative came up in Everett and again last night in Seattle. I have a particular fondness for representative democracy and would prefer my elected representatives do their jobs before we take matters into our own hands. McDermott on Thursday night and all four of the legislators who were at Town Hall last night Miloscia, Schual-Berke, Kastama, and Oemig are ready to do that right thing but they need our help! So this is our first campaign of the 2007 season; a campaign that all of us should be able to work on together as Washblogians, Progressive Agitators, Democratic "Insiders", or simply citizens of the world.

SeaBos is right on. This is something that we can all doorbell on. The information is easily downloadable from the WPC website. Brochures can be easily delivered to any location that would be accessable to you simply by asking a representative of WPC to do so.

We will have plenty of time to divide over regional candidates this year or over presidential candidates next year. Right now we can do this together.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

by The Left Shue on Sat Jan 06, 2007 at 03:23:53 PM PST

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Had to run back to Kitsap for personal matters.  At least I got to meet Dina at the luncheon.  Can't wait to see the pics.

As for Sirota's comments on Kos, I thought I'd point out this quote:

And maybe worst of all, are we going to rationalize our own inaction by claiming that Internet fundraising somehow negates Big Money, even as Big Money continues to outspend us and buy legislation?

But you know, the economic battle against conservatives, that's not so big a deal.  Much less important right now than civil rights we won 30+ years ago.  Wouldn't want to PRIORITIZE or anything.

by Pen on Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 02:09:44 AM PST

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For those who were too cheap to go to the VIP Reception and too lazy to go to the Forum!

Washington Public Campaigns is still dithering about how to present these photo pages, but I'm eager to share them with you, so here posted on my mirror site:

The VIP Reception at Town Hall
Here I am sandwiched rather tightly between two famous authors! Ummm...

and

The Clean Elections Forum

Above, the four WA legislators whom David Sirota referred to as "heroes". Did you ever think you'd hear a sitting Rep. (Mark Miloscia) have the honesty to publicly admit: "Every day I have to worry about my own integrity. The temptation is always there. Anyone who says it doesn't affect them--they're wrong," he stated firmly.

Jim Kastama said that every election cycle he has to raise at least 200 thousand dollars, and his opponent always spends more. Coming out in favor of public campaigns may well lose him some of his contributors. But he feels strongly it's the right thing to do.

Both said they and their fellow legislators think of themselves as good people and have good intentions. But....but.

Eric Oemig was just elected and supports public campaigns even though his own campaign received money from outside of the state. Rep Schual-Berke is introducing a bill to maker judicial election publicly funded.

I've grown cynical, but this event was among the most inspiring I've attended. Please have a look at the pictures and story.

by dinazina on Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 07:59:38 PM PST

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