November 4, 2009 - 12:18 am

Our one-party state

Reflections on Tuesday's election...

This may be the most singular one-party state in the nation.

New Jersey and Virginia voted for Obama a year ago - but for Republican governors tonight... Liberal Maine rejected gay marriage... Blue-state California voters earlier this year rejected tax increases...

But in Washington, our one-controlling-party mentallity rolls on.

King County government is facing a $54-million deficit - and one of the people who got the county into that financial mess has been elected Exec - because he's a Dem.

Init-1033 restricting the growth of government? Rejected.

Gay partnerships? Supported.

Huge property tax increase in Seattle for low income housing? Of course! Seattle never saw a tax increase the voters didn't love.

I evaluate each race and issue on its individual merits (I supported Ref-71 - everyone other endorsement I made on the above races lost). But despite national trends favoring Republicans, in Washington the vast majority of voters are robots. Every Democrat wins. Every expansion of government passes. Every liberal cause prevails.

The unions chased Boeing out of the state - and every winning candidate paid tribute to their big-money union support. Our unemployment rate is well above the national average. Our state is facing another multi-billion dollar deficit. King County has a $54-million deficit. Seattle a $40-million deficit.

Why wouldn't we stay the course? Election Day was business as usual in our one-party state.



  • Add A Comment

  • GloScot wrote...
    Not over yet.
    There still are plenty of ballots to count, Dori. I for one am holding out hope for R-71's demise. Looking at a state voting map, the vast majority of counties voted it down 2 to 1, and in the counties where it's passing, the margin is close, save for San Juan. In short, that issue is not so clear. As for the other issues, I have to agree. Why, oh why, do you people in King County like to raise your own taxes? Makes no sense to me at all. I like living in Washington, but I tell ya, it's sure hard living here sometimes where people enjoy being in slavery.
    November 3, 2009 11:30 pm
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  • Uber_Realtor wrote...
    the continued sad state of washington
    the voters of washington will get what they deserve: more taxes, less employment, lower graduation rates, fewer businesses and cleaner air. the people who are tired of high taxes, high unemployment, failing schools, businesses that move out of state and the overall apathy are going to have to move to a more hospitable state. the only state that i can think of that would welcome us it the state of denial
    November 3, 2009 11:33 pm
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  • Master Sgt wrote...
    ELECTION 2009
    Once again the voters have spoken. In the days to come we will hear crys of 'foul!' by those who lost and the press will cover it all. Somewhere we may hear of a politico going before a judge and try to convince him (or her) that the INTENT of the voters was not the same as the outcome (remember term limits?) But above all we must remember that across the globe are millions who wish they could be a voice in how their contry is run. We are unique, we say what we want and vote for whatever is close to our core belief. The Monday morning quarterbacks will tell us what we did wrong but WE made the choices today. What ever the outcome of those choices we will endure for another year and then do it all over again. To me the only ones who lost are those that chose NOT to take part.
    November 3, 2009 11:38 pm
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  • Loud Larry wrote...
    I want to agree w/ Mstr Sgt …
    Yet, I’m not so certain that the King County electorate really votes close to a core belief as much as they vote for a “D” regardless of the “D”amage done. Do our property rights, our transportation options our public safety, government accountability and our right to self determination really boil down to whether or not our elected officials are pro-life or pro-choice? As far as Seattle goes; If McGinn pulls this off you’ll wish you had your Nickelback.
    November 4, 2009 12:03 am
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  • Frogsplash wrote...
    Deficits are affecting everyone
    Take a look at Jefferson County Alabama where last year they defaulted on a $83.5 million interest payment on it's 3.2 trillion debt, $2.3 billion consisting of a sewer project. The commission consists of 3 republicans, 2 democrats. Split County government with umpteem the problems of King County. Half of the comissioners want to file bankruptcy. You can go county by county, city by city and find the exact same problems be they republican held, democrat held, or split. Blame, across the country, crosses party lines. I put the blame for republican lack of headway in this state squarely on the republicans in this state. There is only 1 republican in this state currently of any note, and that's Rob Mckenna. The party needs to rally around a leader like McKenna. Up until this point, they have put no one forward as thier voice to get thier message out in a clear, concise, uniform way to the state. THe republicans in this state haven't had a clear leader or voice in this state since the days of John Spellman. If the Republicans want thier message really heard, get someone that can deliver it, don't give us John Carlson, Dino Rossi (I did vote for him because I can't stand Gregiore), or even Susan Hutchison. Put Rob McKenna out front, get behind him, and I think you will see a shift. Until then, you only have the leaderless Republican party in this state to blame.
    November 4, 2009 12:11 am
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  • Loud Larry wrote...
    Early endorsement; Frogsplash for McKenna!
    Well, we culled our current Gov from attorney general ranks. You are spot on with a McKenna endorsement. Republican leadership that props up Rush Limbaugh as a mouthpiece is as rudderless as the Bounty under Captain Bligh. I don’t share your assessment of Rossi he actually may have won (in theory) remember King County’s’ lost votes? Later found, but by that time Washington’s equivalent of Florida’s Secretary of State Katherine Harris, had certified the election of Queen Christine. Speaking of the Queen, I hear she’s in D.C. hanging new wall paper in her (our) 300K rental office and courting an administration gig with Sims and Locke. At least we have Lt. Gov Brad Owen holding steady course of our sinking ship.
    November 4, 2009 12:53 am
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  • Newton wrote...
    This Is Garbage
    I feel thier are Votes still Out thier they have not all, been Counted. Come On wait till all the Votes Are all In!!.
    November 4, 2009 2:50 am
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  • brianj wrote...
    I pity the fools!
    The people of King County and Seattle had their opportunity to finally get it right and install a government that would work to balance the budget and change the elitist mentality, but they are too dam stupid. Can any of you actually think for yourselves? I doubt it. It's obvious that other parts of the country have decided to take back their states from the big government tax and spenders. The morons in the State of Washington and King County still do what they are told by their idiot leaders like our Governor, who lost the states largest private employer, or union leaders. I pity your sad lives that you cant think for yourselves, no wonder you need someone to tell you what to do.
    November 4, 2009 3:41 am
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  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    The herd mentality of the sheeple of Seattle.....
    Constantine was trailing in the polls until the Dems came out with their last minute ads against Hutchison, claiming she was a Republican and even worse....a Christian. The narrow minded bigots of Seattle deserve what they get. They don't even notice the water is starting to boil. Once they figure it out and try to jump out of the pot it will be too late. At least it will be entertaining to watch.
    November 4, 2009 4:47 am
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  • Kathie wrote...
    Election Results
    The voters in this State just simply deserve what they get. Four more years of corrupt county government, higher taxes, voted in the corrupt one for Port of Seattle, in other words, business as usual. I do hope the 71 makes it through. A little close to call yet. I was thinking, when I awoke this morning, (very early for me as I have to be on a plane soon to fly back to South Dakota for my Mom's funeral) that maybe Dori shouldn't say what he wants. Seems the voters always go against him. Oops, nevermind, it's just the stupid Dems in this state who like to pay taxes and like corrupt government. I also know many people who hate Eyeman so badly they will vote against any bill he introduces even if it is in their best interst. That is very sad. Kathie, SeaTac I'm flying on an airplane and I will be back!
    November 4, 2009 6:11 am
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