So, the BIAW’s self-serving workers’ compensation “reform” Initiative 1082 goes down to defeat in every single county, and statewide by a whopping 19-point margin. And what message do the wise old sages on the Seattle Times editorial board take from that? Well obviously, that it’s time to reform worker’s compensation:

BY rejecting Initiative 1082, voters said they want the sale of workers’ compensation insurance to remain in the hands of the state. The Legislature is still free to reform the program, and it should do so.

Uh-huh.

By that logic, the state is still free to impose a high-earners’ income tax, despite the fact that I-1098 lost by an even greater margin, and I-1100’s decisive defeat at the polls is a clear indication that it’s time for the state to privatize the distribution and sale of liquor. (In fact, that’s exactly the argument that nominally Democratic State Sen. Tim Sheldon recently made to Cienna.)

Once again proving that some of the most ardent defenders of the initiative process only really honor and respect the will of the people when they agree with them.

But I’ll agree with the Seattle Times on one point: it is time to reform our workers’ compensation system… at least to the extent that it prevents the BIAW and other right-wing organizations from skimming tens of millions of dollars a year off the top, to spend on self-serving, anti-worker initiatives like I-1082. I’m even willing to consider the Seattle Times proposals, as long as the final reform bill includes a substantial rewriting of the “retro rebate” program. So there.

5 replies on “Seattle Times to Endorse Income Tax?”

  2. ” I-1100’s decisive defeat “

    I-1100 only lost by a few percent, almost half voted for it. That’s a heart breaking margin to lose by and does indicate that almost half the people are upset with the system. That’s a big deal, and if it is better written next time when the economy is better it will pass. Your argument makes no sense, I-1082 lost by 20 points, I-1100 lost by 4.

    Maybe you’re thinking of I-1105 which lost by 20 points, but there was a very similar initiative on the ballot that was clearly more popular (despite a greater loss in state revenue than I-1105).

  3. Thunderbird @1,

    Um, I-1100 is currently losing by a seven point margin, and growing. That’s a landslide in this sort of divided electorate.

    It lost. It was defeated. So it’s the “almost half” argument that’s bullshit.

  4. Damn, did it really open up that wide? Still, you’re ridiculing the times for advocating for a really really unpopular initiative vs a less unpopular initiative. That’s like saying since the Mariners are so bad, no one could possibly root for the Storm. Apples and oranges.

    But, I will maintain that 53-46 is almost half, divided electorate or not.

  5. This is the standard conservative, “we lost because we weren’t more like ourselves” logic. “We weren’t conservative enough conservatives.” God forbid they’d ever admit they lost because they are PRECISELY WHO THEY ARE. Every defeat pushes them to conclude that they are right, and every victory confirms that they are right.

    Must be nice to feel that way all the time. What an affirming existence, free from questioning, and the messier elements of reality.

Comments are closed.