It’s almost time to vote our kid-caging, planet-destroying, pussy-grabbing “president” out of office. And by almost, we mean you have a bit more than a year to go. (You! Can! Make! It!) BUT, right now, right where you live and work and fuck and vape, there are some life-and-death, local-history-altering votes to be cast. So for now, focus on what’s directly in front of you, people. Grab a black pen, walk out to your mailbox, and find your ballot. This couldn’t be easier.
Right here, locally, is everything you say you’re always mad about: disgusting levels of inequality, humans dying in the streets for lack of shelter, ICE flights, unprotected green spaces, and Big Business doling out Big Money in order to get its way.
That last one—Big Business tossing its cash around—is key to understanding this year’s epic battle for the soul of the Seattle City Council. The council is in trouble with Amazon and other major Seattle corporations for daring to try to tax Big Business last year to (gasp!) fund local homelessness services. Amazon and friends are now out for revenge, opening their political cash spigots in an attempt to manipulate public opinion ahead of the August 6 primary election so that a bunch of business-boot-licking candidates will be installed in the seven council seats currently up for grabs.