Elway is still using landlines and hasn't clued in that people like me with Triple Play don't answer phone calls that their TV set says are from people they don't know. Same goes for cell phone users who pay for calls (e.g. YOUNG people).

Epic Fail.

The election results themselves will be quite different.

Has there been any discussion/analysis of what will happen if both 1100 and 1105 pass?

Sometimes I just purely despair. Any initiative that says anything about "getting rid of taxes" seems to pass, any initiative that says anything about "adding taxes" seems to fail. Yet people scream bloody murder when any services whatsoever are cut. The magic money fairy does not deliver parks, libraries, schools, roads, sewers, prisons, police, fire protection, etc. It takes a source of revenue. Where do people think the revenue comes from?

oh, wait, I just read the methodology. I actually answered that call ...

These are polls, so they're not really reflective of the people who will actually get up off their ass and vote... But I will say that this election will probably have a more conservative slant than liberal one.

So... Everyone here needs to get their friends to vote!

@4, you're a complete and utter twat, aren't you?

Got any more bomb-making recipes for us, Will? I don't think your suggestion yesterday would kill enough people. I'm sure you've got better. You're the fucking expert, right?

@8 you have no idea. most stuff you'd need is in your bathroom or under the kitchen sink, actually.

When I read the methodology, I remembered this was the long poll that Ian picked up the phone and gave it to me cause they asked for me. The disturbing thing is that all the people who answered that poll are all NOT young.

Which does kind of prove my point. You old fart.

Hmmm...I thought 1100/1105 would have been doing better, considering all the bitching about the way the state handles liquor. I'm curious to see if folks vote no on both, given the conflicting goals and to avoid what Levislade asks @ 2 (which is nobody really knows).

I am glad to see 1082 not doing so well. If it ain't broke, why fix it, BIAW?

Yes, Will, every pollster out there is dumber than you and has never heard of cellphones.

And every likely voter out there is just like you...

A) although they're all under 50%, they are also leading.

B) although they are leading, initiative races tend to tighten up as election day gets closer - the "yes" campaigns have been rolling since they were signature gathering, while the "no" campaigns are just warming up.

C) to the degree that young voters are under-sampled because of their greater use of cell-phones, their also less likely to get off their asses and vote.

D) undecideds are more likely to shrug their shoulders in confusion and vote "no" than "yes" to something they don't understand

Geni @3, well said. Sadly, we live in a culture where people think of themselves as consumers rather than citizens.

I'm reminded of this passage toward the end of a Newsweek profile of Indiana governor and current GOP darling Mitch Daniels:

The last stop of the day is at Highland Park in Kokomo: a campaign event for an aspiring state representative. As Daniels arrives, I spot John Penner, 79, waiting to shake hands with “the next president.” Penner has nothing but praise for the “down-to-earth” Daniels, and nothing but criticism for Washington, where legislators lard bills with “tunnels for turtles.” But when I suggest that to really rein in spending we’ll have to cut Medicare, he balks. “My wife is sick, and I can barely pay the bills,” he says. “So no, I don’t think so. Not a good idea.”

Regarding I-1053 specifically, and assuming that it's constitutional, I can envision that, as the state further ties its hands regarding tax increases, it's going to fall to the more civic-minded municipalities, counties, and regions to do the kinds of public investment that can keep them competitive.

2/3 majority is going to cripple the state - not that it isn't already paralyzed. its the very last thing we need to do in an economic crisis.

start hoarding.

cressona @ 13:

as the state further ties its hands regarding tax increases, it's going to fall to the more civic-minded municipalities, counties, and regions to do the kinds of public investment that can keep them competitive.

I think you're already seeing this in the formation of new taxing districts and cities consolidating/merging services into other taxing authorities (local fire, library, and parks authorities). This, of course, happens with voter approval, but doesn't, of course, stop them from complaining about the additional layers of taxation.

New taxing districts - you mean like the one that Seattle City Council created to tax all households - owner or renter - to pay for the Billionaires Tunnel cost overruns? That one? The one without a public vote to create it?

Nah. Never happen. Go back to sleep and ignore the $8 million sweetheart deal for the Gates Foundation and EMP buildings not to have tunnels dug under them while they don't pay the taxes for the tunnel they are having built for them using your tax dollars.

You're feeling very sleepy. ...

I-1082 is just a full-on assault on Washington's workers and on workplace safety. Vote "No" - or when you fall out of your chair at work, you'll be lucky to get physical therapy let alone a new chair.

WiS @ 16: Sorry, I wasn't clear. You're right, there has been taxing districts created (King County Ferry District) without a vote. I was referring to annexations/mergers, but, like I said, I wasn't clear. English major not I.

So what if they're under 50% in a poll? On election day, it's 50% of those who vote, so all but 1082 would win with those numbers.

1053: Yes. They better be damn sure about it when they choose to increase our taxes. Also this might be treated as an excise tax to screw you additionally at tax time.
1098: No. I don't trust them to not lower the threshold in 2 years if this passes. This is bad for Wa State since one reason businesses will locate here is no state tax.
1107: Yes. Repeal this. I feel its a regressive tax and punishes poor more than rich. Spend less, not tax more.
1100: Yes. Best choice available.
1105: No. Forcing use of specific distributors.
1082: Competition can lead to lower cost of service but can allow for less service. I'm ok with that even if it causes state workers to pay more premiums since non-state workers are footing the bill currently.

These are my views, some I care about more than others. Come election time, vote regardless if you agree with me or oppose me. It's the one time you get the chance to make a difference.