Gregoire v. Rossi

Gregoire vs Rossi ... a non partisan, Jeffersonian view*

The mud is sure flying on both sides. But today's Seattle Times (Oct. 12) does offer a couple of true insights. How does "Jefferson" see Gregoire v Rossi, round 2?

Tweedle dumb and Tweedle dumber : On many issues there is no difference because neither says anything meaningful. I can not tell their policies on the economy, environment, or taxes apart. I fault Gregopire most for this because she should have the courage to say that tax cuts in good times are/were asinine and to propose real tax reform. Rossi is ether pandering to his party or is really irresponsible about taxes.

On Jobs: These two are peas in a pod. Gregoire ahd been a very good person for WASTATE, INC and Rossi would be too. She is too much af a democart to understand that she ought to brag aboutg her achienvements working with the state's businesses.Neither is willing to talk about the future of Boeing if we do not address issues of infrastructure.

A pox on both houses: On most other issues, they both deserve to eat the feces they are spewing. Neither one is willing to make realistic stands on taxes, jobs, higher ed. Major issues that the sate should face ... immigration and higher ed are ignored in this campaign tol the detriment of all the voters. Gregoire deserves to have her face slapped for demeaning Rossi's Catholic beliefs and he ought to get the same for trying to link her ot sex offenders. I suspect they will end up pushing the same wheelbarrow in Dante's Inferno.

On three issues the choices are clear:

Gregoire v Rossi on "gay" rights. Rossi's stand here is scary. Is there relaly anone left who feels two people should not be able to commit to one their inheritance rights to one another without writing a formal contract? Gregoire's stand is simple and clean. Leave marriage a religous issue and recognize the rights of two people to form a pair without regard to geneder.

Rossi v Gregoire. Education illustrates Gregoire's greatest weakness ... she is a doctinaire democrat with no positon that does not fall within the party orthodoxy.

Gregoire seems to see the schools as union issue, righlty worried about our not having enough money to pay teachers and lower class sizes. While these are very importnat issues, on their own they do not provide any sense of moving forward t improve the system.

In contrast, her opponent stands for educational reforms, most of which are also part of Obama's platform: revampling the WASL, strict requirements for a high school degree, differential pay for teachers based on specialy and achievement, bringing more experts into teaching, etc. I only wish he would also address the clear need to pay or all this.

Rossi v. Gregoire If she has a plan, it seems a well kept mysetery. Rossi's plan may be fanciful, obviously will not work w/o taxes, but at least he says he sees the need for a statewide transportation plan and is willing to to put himself down for a real solution to the viaduct

So why am I voting for Gregoire? To be honest, I am not voting for her but against Rossi's association with the radical right. Guzzo, Palin, Hutchinson, the Discovery Instute .. these are all scary people. On the national scene they may have destroyed McCain as a viable alternative to Obama. I simply will not vite for any Republican who doe snot eschew these extremists.

*Unlike a lot of people here on HA, I do not consider myself a Democrat or a Republican. I have a set of views, hopefully consistent views, and I vote according to those. If I were to sum all those, I would come close to calling myself a Jeffersonian .. that is a believer in individual liberty and freedom of opportunity for all.