Pendulum swing

When the pendulum swings too far, I change parties. When Clinton was in power I grew tired of the litmus tests on abortion, on affirmative action, on 15-year-olds with babies. I voted for Dole and then for Bush. My kids won’t let me forget it.

Now the pendulum has swung too far to the “wrong.” A preemptive war because of Bush/Cheney’s personal demons is more than a person should take. A national debt level around $9 trillion is unconscionable. The “compassionate conservative” is neither.

So this year I am voting Democrat with a capital “D”. Straight ticket. I don’t care if it’s Dog Catcher, I am going all the way. I have never seen such incompetent, self-righteous,
name-calling, mean-spirited people in my life as this Republican administration.

Locally, likewise. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is a smooth-talking, charismatic, nice-guy type who is sneaky and sleazy. He is not mean-spirited, however; I’ll give him that. He knows better.

There are three proposals on the agenda that Pawlenty proposes that I oppose: The property tax cap, the 70 percent to the classroom deal, and maybe he also supports the state auto license formula for mass transit and for transportation. (I hate to admit it, but both Ken and I are on the same wave length here on transportation, not necessarily for the same reasons.)

I don’t like these proposals because they remove decision-making from the people whose job it is to make those decisions. The license thing was difficult to wrestle with for me because I favor more money for mass transit. But a constitutional amendment is for all time. Ten or 20 years from now, our needs in transportation will be different. The schools might be different. For example, schools may be required to take on mental health services, or the immigration situation could require more specialists or job placement services may be needed. Pawlenty is for gimmicks like no new taxes, but fees are OK.

Hatch is a pit bull. I will probably get tired of him in four years, but he did a great job going after the prima donna management of nonprofits. Now if only someone will tackle those out-of-line CEO salaries.

"I have never seen such incompetent, self-righteous,
name-calling, mean-spirited people in my life as this Republican administration."

Jim, I find this statement incredibly hilarious coming from you.

Pot, meet kettle...

Jim, I agree with your sentiments, but came to a different conclusion. I voted straight IP ticket, except Farheen Hakeem for Henn Cty Commissioner. [No] on MVST. [Yes] on instant run-off voting.

In choosing the IP, I'm expressing a belief that the Dems, in the end, will cause the same problems as the Repubs. It is time for a new approach in politics; neither of the two big parties have much incentive to change their ways.