There will always, always, ALWAYS be a perfectly valid reason to put off taking significant steps to deal with climate change for one more year. If it isn’t the “business climate” (your excuse for proposing a giveaway of pollution creditsand abandoning your other environmental goals this year), it’ll be other priorities—the need to invest in infrastructure like new roads once the economy improves, or a shift in focus to the latest crisis (perhaps education or health care, two more top campaign “priorities” you’ve abandoned).
You campaigned on a promise to “bring about real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.” The voters gave you a mandate, believing you would make good on your promises. Would we have been better off with Dino Rossi? Of course not. But it’s hard to escape the impression that you say one thing when you need public support, and do exactly the opposite as soon as it’s politically expedient. Like all your proposed cuts (to children’s health care, to voter-mandated class-size reductions) putting off climate change will only cost more in the long run. Surely you know that.
Governor Gregoire, it’s too late for voters to punish you at the ballot box. But I do hope that in four years, voters will remember your broken promises.
Erica, what is your proposed solution? An income tax? The Republicans would win both state houses in the next election.
Seriously, what would you do if you were she?
I think that what Erica wants us to do is actually stand up for Progressive Ideas and make those Ideas Policy, not just Rhetoric.
Governing is more than just winning elections; it is about making the case for Progressive Policy and Convertng the Unbelievers to your side. Call it Statemanship if you will.
Erica – good post. The Dems in Olympia only understand environmental policy solutions they can throw money at. Instead, they should be looking towards changing rules, giving tax incentives, etc, that promote environmental businesses that create jobs and more tax revenue. For example, because of such thinking Oregon scored one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the US. Here’s a nice article on that – http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/…
Our dems are still caught up in trying to limit our carbon footprints, but have few to no ideas about how to build a new green economy.
Cato, Meinert- governance is about the choices we make on how to spend the money we take in. You don’t think the Oregon solar panel tax credit cost money?!?
We are facing a CATASTROPHIC revenue shortfall this year. As a parent with two kids in public schools, I’m already resigned to the fact that my kids’ school is going to suffer.
It’s one thing to complain about cuts to education and the environment, it’s another to figure out how to fiscally protect them.
What else would you cut to pay for these programs?
Gregoire’s a goddamn raptor.
It’s always easier to find excuses than it is to find solutions.
Ah …. so …. said the wise old man.
Reality sets in. Washington is at the fiscal brink, and it is going to get MUCH worse.
Eric is of a generation that has not a clue how bad it will be for millions. Not a clue, cause it is all intellectual and counter to her whole life experience.
And Eric is worrying about “punishing” Gregoire? Jesus, what hubris, what gall.
The reason Gregoire was elected, Erica, is/was the declining economy — not her charm. Mature voters could see the problems unfolding and wanted a problem solver to run the state.
I think they got one. Step back and get some focus, please.
The cuts are coming, in all sectors. No new money, no new programs, budgets cut and cut and cut for existing programs.
In two years this budget will look like it was overly generous and easy.
Sorry kids, yes the Greatest of Depressions is looming. No one will be immune except the very wealthy – assuming they have cash, they do well in a depression buying all the bargains.
I suggest we all kill ourselves. BUT let’s take some of the Slog Trolls with us? Shall we?
Broken promises? You mean the same broken promises that she made 4 years AGO? And the SECB still said “vote Gregoire” in 08? Maybe you should just hope that the SECB remembers her broken promises.
I’m sure 4 years from now, if she’s running, it’ll be the same song and dance, and every Democrat in this town will bring out the same rational — “Well, I have to vote for her because the republican is worse” — which is exactly what people said this year. When will you (you=voters) learn that re-electing shit will still get you shit? Hello? The only way to get a real dem in there is to consistently punish the bad dems, even if that means electing the R.
Yeah, because good governance means not cutting spending when facing huge deficits, right Erica?
@ 2 good post.
gregoire is too lame for words.
We do have to vote for her because it will be worse if we let the Republicans in. The electorate in this state is deeply split between the left and the right. Look at how many far-right Democrats-in-name-only we have. That is the ugly reality.
Erica is fantasizing about a mandate that doesn’t exist in a state that just barely balances out slightly left of center, and is stuck in gridlock until that balance changes. It’s not our government’s fault. It’s us.
I am happy to agree with Elenchos on all counts.
@9 and @12 ftw
ECB you are a troll with an official job at the Stranger.
How is it you manage to talk out both sides of your ass at the same time?
Weren’t you the very same idiot proudly supporting the Bitch for another term? Gregoire has been a loser for the past 4 years. What does anyone expect to change?
All of you simply voted for her because you were running skeeerd from the Republicans.
Own up to a little honest self reflection.
Don’t forget, the economy, from which we derive our tax money, has tanked since the election. As in gone down the toilet. That’s not the Gov.s fault. Oh, and the property taxes we as a state received have tanked along with diving property values. As in down the shitter.
Gosh, what’s Gov Gregoire gonna think when she reads Erica’s post on Slog???
Oh…she probably doesn’t read Slog…
Wait, do you honestly think she’ll run for a third term?
Not. Gonna. Happen. The last person to do that was Dan Evans, and even HE regretted it.
-?- in her last term, what were Gregoire’s top 3 accomplishments ?