Marry me Fnarf

Green Lantern Syndrome. It's not just for liberals bitching about Obama -- apparently it also manifests itself in those griping about Frank Chopp.

@101: Okay, you're officially off your meds..."You're worried about freeways? Frank is the reason the RH Thompson [sic] and the West Seattle freeways never got built."

Really?

Plans for the RH Thomson expressway were abandoned by city officials in 1967...when Frank Chopp was 14 years old. Did he already have the mustache then?

I knew that the Stranger would not be friendly to me but I granted them an interview anyway and "let the chips fall where they may".

Suffice to say I was entirely misquoted and misrepresented. Ironically, they support the corporate attorney who supported 8.7 B in corporate welfare to Boeing leaving us unable to "amply fund" our children's education. Shifting the burden from the mega corporation to the taxpayers and small businesses of WA.

What I did say over and over was that "you cant get much more blood out of this turnip." This as in response to my opponents proposal to raise the B&O to cover McCleary, a regressive tax on small business and to broaden the scope of our sales tax. These were referred to as "Investments". A tax by any other name is still a tax. An the middle class can't take anymore!

I do have specific policy ideas and the interviewers did not want to entertain any other discussion other than raising revenue: raising taxes across the board. I proposed ideas that would not raise taxes. The only tax I would support would be a "robin hood" style tax to restore some balance to our corporate controlled system and reclaim some of the 40% of middle class wealth that has been extracted, much through the mortgage and foreclosure industry of which I am very familiar. Most others in Olympia are not.

How about we plug the hole in the bucket instead of adding more water?

But then what do I know I am just an average citizen, a foreclosure defense paralegal and a mom.

If you want the truth about me or my work see michelledarnellforsenate.com

BE the change you wish to see.-Gandhi

I knew that the Stranger would not be friendly to me but I granted them an interview anyway and "let the chips fall where they may".

Suffice to say I was entirely misquoted and misrepresented. Ironically, they support the corporate attorney who supported 8.7 B in corporate welfare to Boeing leaving us unable to "amply fund" our children's education. Shifting the burden from the mega corporation to the taxpayers and small businesses of WA.

What I did say over and over was that "you cant get much more blood out of this turnip." This as in response to my opponents proposal to raise the B&O to cover McCleary, a regressive tax on small business and to broaden the scope of our sales tax. These were referred to as "Investments". A tax by any other name is still a tax. An the middle class can't take anymore!

I do have specific policy ideas and the interviewers did not want to entertain any other discussion other than raising revenue: raising taxes across the board. I proposed ideas that would not raise taxes. The only tax I would support would be a "robin hood" style tax to restore some balance to our corporate controlled system and reclaim some of the 40% of middle class wealth that has been extracted, much through the mortgage and foreclosure industry of which I am very familiar. Most others in Olympia are not.

How about we plug the hole in the bucket instead of adding more water?

But then what do I know I am just an average citizen, a foreclosure defense paralegal and a mom.

If you want the truth about me or my work see michelledarnellforsenate.com

BE the change you wish to see.-Gandhi

Fnarf, lately Chopp has moved far to the right.

Chopp was speaker when they passed a bill to simultaneously reduce unemployment taxes on businesses AND make it more difficult for newly unemployed people to get benefits.

Chopp voted for $8.7b in Boeing tax cuts when the government was already hurting for money.

Chopp pressured Boeing Unions to kowtow to the Boeing corporation, then didn't say jack shit when Boeing said they were moving other jobs anyways.

Chopp was speaker when they eliminated Eyman's tax initiatives by lawsuit, but never got any progressive taxes passed.

What progressive shit has Chopp passed in the past 6 years?

Did advertisers threaten to pull their ads again for not having enough business friendly coverage? Have to remember that The Stranger still relies on business interests to stay afloat unlike independent media.

Fnarf: I agree that really awful, tea party-like legislation has been coming out of the state house for 10+ years. Note that Frank Chopp been house speaker for 12 years. Rural tea partiers do not control the state house. Frank Chopp and his party literally control the state house by a large majority. The awful, conservative legislation they prioritize is literally, specifically, his doing.

Good copy/paste of Frank Chopp's "accomplishments" page. Note nearly everything he's taking credit for which is marginally progressive -- except for Obamacare, which he's incredibly taking credit for -- was done in the 70's or 80's, or even earlier.

I guess decades before Frank Chopp was first elected, he was slightly progressive. I'll concede I wasn't following his career when he was in middle school or later on when he was working in HR somewhere. I'm sure he's counting on people being unable to check his teenage accomplishments.

His later "accomplishments" -- "Not opting out of Medicaid expansion" does not count as progressive or an accomplishment. "Implementing Solid Ground's Home Care Program" does not count as progressive or an accomplishment when he literally closed it completely down and fired 100+ home care workers five years ago.

Speaker Frank Chopp over a newbie Socialist voter who dropped in just three years ago? Looks to me like a return to sanity at the Stranger interview committee.

Read the Stranger's pathetic excuse to endorse Chopp. It gave absolutely no reason to endorse or support him. Perhaps corporate sponsors are the real reason? If anything their article did more to invalid their reasoning for endorsing such a candidate. They stated that Chopp would be a strong advocate for the working class, but in the same article stated the following:

"Vote for Chopp—but the next time you see him, ask him if he has any balls. Then ask him to prove it."

Doesn't sound as if they actually believe what they say. If anyone looks up information of Jess Spear, they would realize that she has much more courage than someone with the sort of track record as Chopp. The things that are supported by Chopp seem to only be in words which are easily copy and pasted from any political candidate. It seems as if he hasn't actually fought for anything other than giving more of our money to Boeing...I have yet to actually see much of anything solid he has actually done and he has been given all this time. People talk about experience in regards to old white men, but experience means nothing if they haven't done anything with it. Let's give a new voice a chance. It would certainly seem that Sawant has done as much, if not more, for the working class of Seattle during these last few months than Chopp has done in his entire career. If it is progressive change you want, then a contemporary of Sawant, such as Jess Spear, seems to be exactly who Seattle should support! My vote is with Jess Spear!

How is Republican Linda Kochmar's vote against the Reproductive Parity Act an "immediate disqualification" but her fellow (Democratic) State Representative from the 30th District, Roger Freeman, not disqualified for voting against the Reproductive Parity Act? He was one of two Democrats in the House to vote against the Reproductive Parity Act both in the 2013 and 2014 sessions. He's another economically progressive, socially conservative Democratic State Representative from the 30th LD, just like another State Rep. from the district *cough* Miloscia *cough*.

I keep reading in the comments of this and other articles all the complaints about the Boeing deal. What outcome would you have preferred instead of that deal? Negotiations revolve around who has leverage. What leverage do you think the state had in that negotiation? Do you think Boeing shifting all of its assembly to South Carolina would have been a positive selling point for the Dems cone election time?

@115 Gross. With that thinking, if Microsoft wanted to pay no taxes of any kind in this state, we should let them lest they move their actual employees to Arizona. And if they wanted WA State to pay to keep the employees here, then they have the leverage to do so.

At what point should the legislature say "fuck you?"

I can see a nice protest vote going against Chopp. Just for the hell of it I'd vote for her just to shake things up and get Chopp and his social-service mafia a bit nervous.

But she'll never win: too many fat gray-haired hippies will not vote for a cute young thing like Spear simply out of agist envy and because they are members of his social-service mafia: an awful lot of Chopp supporters in Wallingford have one of those cushy government/NGO jobs.

@115
better question:

"Do you think Boeing shifting all of its assembly to South Carolina would have been a positive selling point for"...AIRPLANE PASSENGERS and their loved ones who would die in cracker-built death traps!

@116 - that's what I'm asking you. Do you think that if Chopp told Boeing to fuck off and go to South Carolina that would have been a good thing for the state?

Here's what I think would have happened had he done that: the Dems would have been absolutely slaughtered in the next election. With the state under GOP control, all the programs that you want would go away. Is that the outcome you want?

I frankly CANNOT BELIEVE you endorsed Pramila Jayapal WHO IS FROM FUCKING WALL STREET! Read her own website.....it says right there.....WALL STREET.

And Michelle Darnell who has been working her ass off to prevent foreclosures you make sound like she's for BIG BUSINESS.

LAST FUCKING TIME I READ THIS PIECE OF SHIT ONLINE RAG.

I remember past SECB sheets being a lot more fun to read than this. Up your game, guys!

@119 I already said that I think the Dems should have said "fuck you" to the tax cuts Boeing demanded.

Where does the slope stop for YOU? At what point can the government say "enough" and still be considered reasonable?

Because $9b in tax cuts over a decade is stupid huge to give to a company who is already making record profits. And then putting pressure on union members? Democrats, including Frank Chopp, Mayor Murray, Jamie Pedersen, and Jay Inslee, should be fucking ashamed.

Having" progressive" positions does not necessarily translate into an ability to cause progressive change in the state. Frank Chopp has a long history of progressive change working with a lot of conservatives across the state and a history of helping low income and working families. For any progressive legislation to pass in the state in the next two years, Democrats and progressives need to take back the Senate from the Republicans. A socialist challenging a progressive Democratic leader in the House in one of the most liberal districts in the state is not going to do that. Are the socialists working to build a coalition with the Democrats? No. The Socialist Alternative website says they are working to replace the Democratic and Republican Parties. Can they change things on their own with a party of one legislator? No. It takes 50 votes in the House and 25 votes in the Senate to pass legislation. VT Senator Bernie Sanders is a democratic socialist and caucuses with the US Senate Democrats. He not trying to defeat their leadership but is working with them. That's not what's happening here in this state. Spear would be a caucus of one since she is not running as a Democrat but as a Socialist Alternative candidate.

@124 What progressive changes has Frank Chopp passed in six years? Remembering that 4.5 of those years had a democratic house and senate.

Socialist Alternative statement on the stranger endorsement

http://www.votespear.org/stranger_endors…

@127 - HAHAHAHA! Normally people running for office cheer the endorsements they get, not write a long diatribe about ones they don't. Amateur hour over at the SA camp.

@128 thanks for your thought-out analysis michaelp

And sometimes, Michael, people running for office just flat-out lie about the endorsements they didn't get!

@130 - Wasn't that just "misinterpreted"? ;-)

Don't get me wrong - I love a good piece bashing on the Seattle Times and their (often) ridiculous endorsements, but how often does a campaign actually do that?

I will admit, it's a little long.

This is really simple.
1. Spear is not Sawant.
2. The State Legislature is not the Seattle City Council.

The endorsement of Chopp makes perfect sense.

Goldy endorses Jess Spear, with a few harsh words for SECB along the way http://horsesass.org/has-foolproof-four-…

I believe I'm going to vote for Spear. Not because I believe she can win, I extremely doubt it nor completely want her to win, but in hopes she can acquire enough votes and experience to turn what she's learned in this race to another far more appropriate one later. And there are many other Dems in the state legislature that need to go.

@134 Were I still here, and on the losing side of that vote, I would've been just as harsh on my colleagues right here on Slog as I am over at HA. In fact, probably harsher. I always publicly voiced my dissent when I disagreed with the SECB majority.

@136 That is an interesting point; I wonder what the vote was like on the SECB?

the chopp endorsement has me going on a 2 month long stranger sabbatical. sorry guys (and gals) on the SECB, you shit the bed on this one.

oh, and fnarf? youre an &^%$$##$%^

So Spear may not be the best one for the job but she is what we have. Electing her may encourage other better SA folks to run. You have to start somewhere.

So, #52, #54, your specious argument is that just because some trade union organizations have been misled by their highly-paid bureaucrat "leaders" into endorsing not the Socialist Alternative and $15Now fighter JESS SPEAR but instead the capitalist corporate catspaw Frank Chopp, we should all commit the same silly mistake?

On the contrary.
Within the trade unions, while fighting the capitalists' clawbacks, let's build rank-and-file broad left movements -- to oppose, expose and eventually depose the right-wing trade union "barons".

Because you're a member of the working class, one of the 99%, you absolutely should vote for your fellow working-class challenger, who pledges to take only a worker's wage: JESS SPEAR.

Your personal honor itself demands it.

Because you're one of the 99%, one of the working class -- "the class which carries in her womb the future of all humankind", to quote the immortal Rosa Luxemburg.

Don't let the pro-capitalist naysayers dissuade you with their "Jess Spear can't win" self-serving arrogant prattle.
Obviously, if the 99% vote for their Jess Spear, then she wins -- by 99%.
:)

Furthermore, voting for Jess Spear is one small practical step you can take in defending your sisters and brothers around the world, such as those being drone-bombed to pieces today in Gaza.

Because a victory for Jess Spear will truly be "a shot heard round the world".
Enthusing workers everywhere on the planet to take the battle to "their" oppressor governments.
Because, "Hey, if our sisters and brothers can win in the US, in the belly of the beast, in the major city of Seattle, why can't we in our own hometowns!"

In addition to voting for Jess Spear, make Socialist Alternative and $15Now your very own party -- join it, build it, influence it.
http://www.socialistalternative.org/
http://15now.org/

Dump the Elephant, Dump the Ass! Build a Party of the Working Class!

Its all a sham. Have you been to gentrified capitol hill lately. Who let this happen? Both republican s AND democrats took a cute city and turned it into over-priced cookie cutter piece of shit. None of these people give a damn about their constitutents unless you work at Boeing, Microsoft or JBLm. So dont kid yourself folks, vote for the man republican or democrat or independent that is hungry to make a real change that doesnt involve big money contributions. Otherwise dont bitch because this city is going to hell in a handcart because you let a rag make a decision for you when you should have done the research yourself.

Seattlebcc dear, just what could have/should have been done to stop all the development? If you were the Czar, how would you have handled things differently?

SA is now a political party, having one elected official and running another candidate this time around.

It's past time for them to drop their 501c4 status.

But since they probably won't do that voluntarily, anyone can file an IRS form 13909 to compel them to comply with the law. You can even do it anonymously, because icepicks and Trotskyites go together like milk and cookies. What, too soon?

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pd…

@16 And BC too. Which is part of Canada, otherwise known as a civilised country.

Michelle Darnell *DOES NOT* support higher taxes on the poor. I film her videos and it is just the opposite. WTF are you smoking?

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eXXz9Ka…

"I am against businesses so far above regulation that they no longer breath oxygen"

She says she even felt that she had a decent conversation with you guys only to hear you slam her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZVTA8Ab…

I've only heard her talk of raising taxes for the truly wealthy; please cite your factual backdrop on this.

Sincerely,
Christopher King, J.D.

I am truly troubled by your endorsement of Adam Smith. Why should citizens of Washington continue
to vote for a candidate who cuts health benefits
from our Veterans.
here are comments from Candidate Don Rivers
campaign Manager, Bill Austin

In response to the Stranger News Paper, Seattle WA.
I must say your article dated 07/16-2014 about the candidates in the Congressional 9th District is vague,misleading, and inaccurate. First to say Donovan's comment to Smith calling him culturally incompetent sounds racist is not racist it is just a statement of fact. Don Rivers has always concerned himself with helping people of all races. He does not believe in discrimination against anyone based on race, religion, or sexual orientation.
The misleading portion of the article states Adam is in favor of military cuts in spending but you failed to mention where he wants to cut, "cut pork" as he calls it. Adam Smith is in favor of, and called for congress to support cuts to our military personnel. He wants to close the commissaries where they get their food, he wants to close bases and cut housing subsidies. . He even wants to cut their HEALTH CARE!! Smith even wants to cut the benefits of our retired Veterans of Foreign Wars. How could you leave this out. Check out the AP release May 2,2014 in the Tacoma News Tribune.
Is the stranger against our military too ? Or did you just fail to do your research before going to print. Adam Smith is out of touch with the 9th District and out of touch with America. We support our Military 100%
Friends of Don Rivers 4 Congress

@115 Boeing was bluffing. SC's productivity is shit. And this is proven in how the first draft vote was cast, not only by Boeing but inslee, Murray, and the rest of the dem establishment, as a do or die proposition. But then somehow concessions were made for a second, still rushed, deal...

And I'm still waiting to hear about these unions chop created... Do they still exist? Is their membership greater than single digits?

And on the education front, didn't chop play a significant hand in overturning a previous citizens initiative to ensure adequately small class sizes... While simultaneously enabling a previous round of Boeing tax breaks??

The Stranger isn’t strange any more. Its just a foul mouthed corporate crony that pushes the agenda of its “gimme the money” owners. Cut the crap, you assholes. We need your endorsements, which are almost right down the line “status quo” as much as we need the status quo that oppresses the people. Don’t you idiots get that the government we have isn’t working? I think you do. You just don’t care as long as you get paid.

For example, you support Cyrus Habib in the 48th. No surprise there. He’s a status quo corporate lawyer working for one of the biggest law firm in the Washington helping banks evict homeowners into the streets. He is paid by “them” to oppress “us”, the people.

But you don't care. You don't even have enough journalistic integrity to accurately express the interview you had with Michelle Darnell. Do you have it on tape? Let's hear the audio.

In the meantime why don't you consider changing your name to the "Foulmouthed Gazette".

@150 You know Scott, not to turn a lawsuit out of this, but you can't just say whatever you want to say in an endorsement or editorial if what you are saying is based on a known falsehood and you recklessly proceed: To wit, I just wrote them:

You guys, I really don't know where you got your information from regarding taxes, because it seems to cut directly against the candidate's specific comments in some of the videos I sent you prior to publication on 3 July, 2014, here is an excerpt:
***********
2 weeks ago 3:04 PM

She told me she just got out of the interview with you guys :)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4aF8R-…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN2cBxjw…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDmtn8Lz…

*************
As such, I stick by my comment at 146 and my brother Scott Stafne's comment at 150 is harsher yet but I can't blame him and I included him in this email chain:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/endor…

On behalf of the Campaign I feel I have authority to offer you until close of business Monday 21 July, 2014 to issue a retraction or clarification, because what you wrote is arguably defamatory, in my opinion as someone who specialized in First Amendment Law.

Sincerely,
Christopher King, J.D.

Gentlemen, just to be clear, no one at the campaign is planning litigation. We are planning to issue some materials to the press and public that will elucidate our position, and we will need your input prior to close of business, Monday.

Sincerely,
Christopher King, J.D.

Congratulations, Stranger staff: you let ONE WHOLE FEMALE on your election control board. Bully for you!

Possibly you've confused 2014 with 1954 or maybe 1914?

Just give yourselves some Greek letters and start calling yourselves a frat. Your honesty will be appreciated.

Only goes to show The Stranger is bourgeois, not Socialistic! I'm sure Geov Parrish over at Eat the State will endorse Jess Spear . . . --- http://www.eatthestate.org

By way of public disclosure I will thank Messrs Holden and Adams for their timely response to my inquiry on behalf of the campaign @151. I have forwarded said response to the campaign and will await a response, all of which will be published herein.

Sincerely,
Christopher King, J.D.

Ha.... I see I've made Mr. Herz a photography legend in a simple set of key strokes LOL. But seriously, I do appreciate the prompt response.

Ansel Herz wrote:

Re: Questions regarding your coverage of Michelle Darnell.
6 hours ago 8:20 AM

Hey Chris,

We got our information from our interview with her. Michelle said she doesn't support the income tax and agrees with Tim Eyeman's rule that prevented the legislature from raising taxes without a 2/3 majority. She said she wants to see more charter schools. We disagree on all of that. If she wants to raise taxes on the wealthy, she didn't explain to us how. She was totally unprepared to explain how the state should fund its school system. As much as I appreciate her passion and intriguing ideas on foreclosures, we did not want to endorse her.

Ansel

**********
Candidate Darnell's response to McCleary is to deal with the larger issue that affects all of us, i.e. the collapse in the real estate market and resultant World and U.S. economy collapses that resuleds in losses of property tax revenue and recording fees that could have helped out. See generally Nancy Becker v. Merscorp.

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/of…
Official: Mortgage clearinghouse owes Lancaster County $4.2 million

It's not just about mortgages, it's about the issue that we would have millions in state revenue if a proper audit is conducted and someone in Washington were to have the chutzpah and legal mindset to do what County Recorder Nancy Becker did in Pennsylvania. Isn't that pretty clear?

Further, she has always argued for a B & O tax rollback (which Cyrus supported by the way) in order to help out. She and her campaign manager swear up and down that was what Candidate Darnell conveyed.

Query, what was was Attorney Habib's plan? It seems the legislature itself has had a problem addressing this matter, ab initio.

There will be a video follow up on these questions posed to both candidates, and whatever happens will appear on public access TV.

Sincerely,
Christopher King, J.D.

Gentlemen:
Regarding your biased statements against Michelle Darnell for Senate 48th Legislative District, do you even read what your reporters have written? You only need to scroll back up to the intro of this column for what you might have failed to see, so here I quote:

“...we've just spent the last three sweltering weeks listening to a bunch of Olympia politicians explain why we need to send them back for another spin in the state legislature—deep breaths, it's too hot for this bullshit—right after they've just spent their last terms spinelessly handing Boeing nearly $9 billion in tax breaks while also failing to find the relatively piddling $2 billion that the state supreme court ordered them to cough up so we could properly fund basic education for the next couple school years."

WAIT! Did you just say a bunch of Olympia politicians JUST..……SPENT THEIR LAST TERM SPINELESSLY HANDING BOEING NEARLY $9 BILLION IN TAX BREAKS?

Wasn’t Cyrus Habib one of those politicians who handed Boeing nearly $9 billion in tax break and FAILED TO FIND THE RELATIVELY PIDDLING $2 BILLION THAT THE STATE SUPREME COURT ORDERED THEM TO COUGH UP....”

You strongly endorsed Cyrus Habib because ONE WOMAN could not come up with a list of solutions to these issues, on the spot. where a bunch of Olympia politicians FAILED TO DO?

When Cyrus himself admitted to being under pressure “to vote for the Boeing tax break” (yes I was present in your interview), I went looking for why and who would be pressuring him?

Prior to being elected, Cyrus practiced as a Corporate Associate for four years at Perkins Coie, the region’s largest private law firm. (http://cyrushabib.com/about/) Are they not legal counsel for BOEING? Indeed he could have been pressured... I'm just sayin'......

Now, for the million dollar question: can we, the voters, trust this guy (again), to protect the interests of the people? That tax break should have been negotiated with (what if) provisions, by legislators watching the backs of not only of a few, but all of the citizens of Washington State.

As journalists, you have the power to influence the mass by what you write! You are taking part in creating future timelines. That is a HUGE and heavy burden of responsibility!

If you want to know Michelle’s position on the most important issues in her District, go visit http://michelledarnellforsenate.com and for goodness sake, give her a chance.

Regarding Rivers's "You're bald." comment. I wonder what the hell he was thinking when he said that? Does he believe there is some on the fence voter who heard that and though "Hmmmm... Adam Smith IS bald. I've never considered that before. He raises an interesting point."

Thank you to the stranger for allowing me to participate in the endorsement process. I respect that we have some differences of opinion and I do not shy from heated dialogue, I encourage it. I feel as a society we often suffer from an inability to respectfully debate heated issues.

That being said, I do feel there were some mis-characterizations of my positions and statements. Anyone who has followed me for the last several years or who knows me intimately, would affirm that it would never be my desire to encourage raising taxes on the poor or middle class. If I was to support any tax increase it would be one engineered to attempt to reclaim some of the 40% of wealth that has been siphoned from the middle class in recent years(Robinhood tax?). However, I do not believe that is within the jurisdiction of the state to do so I made no such suggestion.

As for my emphasis on the foreclosure/mortgage industry, with Real Estate being one of our largest industries and affecting so many subsidiary industries, as I said in the interview, I strongly believe we are remiss if we do not recognize the significance of the collapse and anemic recovery of housing and the potentially unlawful foreclosure process itself, starting with engineered foreclosures.

I believe we must address the causation of our problems BEFORE simply raising taxes to address them. I am actually pretty stunned by the lack of knowledge our current leadership seems to have regarding the issue. This is part of the reason I chose to run. I hope to facilitate an honest discussion with leaders of both sides of the aisle and I am well pre-pared and have plenty of knowledgeable supporters to assist me in this regard.

With out question, transportation, education and economic development will be of paramount concern to me as well, as Senator and I elaborate on my website relative to those concerns, but in my capacity as a representative of the People, I feel I have a duty to communicate on their behalf that increasing taxes (Even if referred to as an "investment"; a tax by any other name is still a tax) before exhausting all other possibilities will cause further hardship to families, small businesses and individuals in this state.

Might we revisit the 8.7 B dollar Boeing tax deduction before raising B&O and taxes on everyone else to cover McCleary? I thought that was a fair question.

Another question: Are the property taxes on the REO's sitting empty(foreclosed properties) around the state being paid in full? Don't property taxes contribute to our education budget? If we entertain a levy swap plan to compensate for McCleary, might the economic health of other districts in the state affect the 48th district?

I may not have all of the answers and certainly not in the context of a one hour interview but I pledge to defend the interests of tax payers in my district and through out the state and resist any efforts to increase taxes BEFORE exhausting all other possibilities.

I want to make it also clear that I am pro businesses and support businesses of any size and scope. In that spirit, I want to restore the integrity of our mortgage industry and governmental systems to restore the trust of the public and get the economy roaring again. We have some significant trust issues right now. I aim to help fix that. That will be of benefit to all involved.

Further, I know families can not arbitrarily increase their incomes and I don't think government should be able to either.

Doing the same thing over an over again expecting different results is . . . well insane.

Lets do something different. Lets restore trust, balance and justice and lets be the first state to LEAD THE CHARGE toward restoring liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness to all.

Now that my friends, is a progressive idea!
/s/ Michelle Darnell
michelledarnellforsenate.com

Stranger: Asked to explain why she supports heavier taxes on the poor and lower taxes on the rich while she spouts rhetoric about helping homeowners facing foreclosure, Darnell couldn't explain herself:

KingCast: But if she is in support of the 2/3 rule that makes it more difficult to raise taxes. I'm sorry but I just cannot believe that all of a sudden in an interview session Candidate Darnell did a 180 degree turn and said she supports more taxes on the less-advantaged when she make the exact OPPOSITE on every video I've done with her. She has only mentioned a "Robin Hood" tax, which of course stands for just the opposite of what the Stranger implies.

Stranger: THEN WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU APPLYING FOR A JOB TO MAKE SPECIFIC POLICY?

KingCast: And query, can or will you articulate Cyrus Habib's SPECIFIC POLICY on education funding because your story didn't do so. I suppose that will be up to me to ask him, and indeed I shall ask both candidates in video and in writing so that there be no confusion over what was articulated.

Sincerely,
Christopher King, J.D.

@155 The Eat the State website hasn't been updated since Nov. 1, 2013, so I wouldn't hold your breath.

Seen as the slog has this pinned, and noone else has linked to it, heres 5 stranger journalists saying "Don't Listen to the SECB—Vote for Jess Spear" http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archive…

I plan to clarify as much as possible in the 48th race:

http://mortgagemovies.blogspot.com/2014/…

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Four KingCast/Mortgage Movies Present: Four Questions for Washington State 48th Senate Candidates Cyrus Habib and Michelle Darnell.

Editor's Note: The above photos are the lead photos from each candidate's website, with links to their Facebook, Twitter and other media.
Cyrus Habib
Michelle Darnell

Dear 48th District Candidates, I pose the following questions to you in writing, for your immediate attention. Within the next several days I will also appear in person to capture your video responses to the same questions. I will allocate two (2) minutes of video response for each question, and you may feel free to use as much space as necessary to address the written questions. Please provide your responses at this email address (kingcast955@icloud.com) on or before the Close of Business, 29 July 2014.

1. Right now you have what is basically a Court-ordered unfunded mandate for education. What are your specific plans to address the funding mandate set forth by McCleary?

2. What is your position on income and sales taxes. Are you in favor of regressive or progressive taxes and what would changes would you advocate for during your term?

3. There have been legal decisions throughout the country -- including the Nancy Becker vs. MERSCORP case in Pennsylvania decided this summer -- that indicate that the MERS recording system has robbed counties of millions of dollars in recording fees. Do you believe that area recording offices should be conducting audits in order to go after some of this money?

4. What role do you believe that the mortgage and housing crisis has had on Seattle area economy?

Thank you in advance for your time and diligence in this matter.

Respectfully submitted,

CHRISTOPHER KING, J.D.
kingcast955@icloud.com
mortgagemovies007@gmail.com
http://affordablevideodepo.com
http://mortgagemovies007@gmail.com
617.543.8085m
206.299.9333f

What about the judicial picks?

From Mark Greene: regarding The Stranger's board saying that Don Rivers is Adam Smith's only real challenger, that's ridiculous since I have been campaigning face-to-face in the 9th Congressional District for 2 years and probably the only real economic progressive in the race. Rivers, by the way, couldn't even figure out what district he lived in last February. Don't believe me? Then check out Rivers' Statement of Organization that Rivers filed with the Federal Election Commission. For those who want to know more about my candidacy, please, go to nationreform.blogspot.com.

Stranger Election Board - thank you! I look forward to reading your endorsements. Not only do you provide great info to us voters, but you are really $%^@ funny. Totally LMAO!

Come on! I get bus service-mostly. Can't Broadview/Greenwood get SECB love? It's not so much the boonies, right? How shall I sort out Legislative District #32 without your sage advice?

I'm curious about your opinion of Brady Walkinshaw, and why the stranger didn't simply suggest a write-in vote for Jess Spear against the unelected, running unopposed Walkinshaw in position 1 of the 43rd.

Hey do you guys not like legislative district 32. I could have used some help. Love the service though thanks a ton