When other governors fight back, Gregoire gave the GOP what they wanted, much to their surprise. It was shocking enough to them that they gave back some education funding, community health care (but kept Gregoire's proposal to eliminate Basic Health intact) and other things they'd otherwise cut. And yet the democratic caucus in the house has still managed to craft a shitty and spineless budget that requires so little give on the part of republicans that Luke Esser might as well have written it.

The undercurrent of spineless faugressives is strong in this state right now, it's almost as if they overestimated the libertarian streak. And it's local, even. Our own council questioned a vital levy and were proven wrong by polls and pressure from the Mayor, they didn't even seem prepared to fight for it if it came to that point. And that's to say nothing of "it's a state road" and "it's a good compromise" enablers. Or look at Bellevue and their basically rolling over for Kevin Wallace, probing his misdealings no deeper than a pat on the ass.

2011 and 2012 should be an important pair of housecleaning elections. Elect better progressives, continue outreach to the more moderate GOP and stop acting as though we're going to let this state (and Seattle) be run over by conservatives. We didn't elect Dino, so why the hell are we saddled with DINOs?

Yes we fucking can.

No. It wont. Unfortunately. Even the "historic rallies" in Wisconsin, Ohio and elsewhere haven't made much of a difference. There have been no mass strikes - local or general. In spite of the damage - labor has largely rolled over, defeated.

"Republican politicians fear their base. Democratic politicians despise their base." That is largely true, even though it was the odious David Frum who said it..

Democrat politicians ignore their base. The Republicans don't. That's the difference.

#8, Well said.

Speaking of revolution.

Opening Day at Safeco...one could see the pitchforks in the bleachers when the score went 6-0 and then worse in the 3rd...

@5 FTW.

Sorry kiddies American Fascism has arrived. It will end only with blood flowing in the streets.

Enjoy!! And remember America, YOU ASKED FOR IT BY SITTING ON YOUR ASSES FOR WAY TO LONG !!!! At this point it's too fucking late.

Now I'm going to light a joint and enjoy the nightmare.

Geezer Goldy, who fancies himself as some sort of labor guy, thinks the Dems are a bunch of pussies for proposing a budget of mostly cuts. But Geezer Goldy won't call Yoko down at the Guild and seek help to organize this scab rag. What does that make him?

Here's the story from a proud, card-carrying, dues-paying member of the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/po…

Whuh-oh! Old Fogey Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown got his computer privileges back! Did they wheel you over to the shiny box so you can do your memory puzzles and you managed to hit the Internet Explorer button and crank out another quip?

You lovable old coot! You're my favorite senile bastard Old Fogey Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown! Keep em' comin'!

I'm glad the protesters went in such large numbers. It is important that our state democrats understand that people are truly pissed. The Washington State Democratic party is nothing more than junior leaguers. They are a racist, classist bunch that just like the republicans, count on the base for votes, but would never ever support any progressive candidates. The mainstream, unimaginative, lump of goo democrat will always get party support.

It will be utterly impossible for any candidate resembling a progressive viewpoint to unseat one of the lard butts currently in office. People have gotten by for a long time in saying the right things without being held accountable for follow up action. And since it is money that makes this sad world go around, no one with an unconventional agenda will ever make a dent in political representation.

Thus far, only the tea party types have gotten any mileage out of voter anger and they seem unified only in their universal hate of brown people, poor people and freedom.