David Carrier
for State Senate
17th Legislative District
www.davidcarrier.org

Hello supporters!

We’re in the final stretch now- just over ten days to go- and the race is extremely close. Your help is needed now more than ever. In recent polls the 17th District vote is split 50/50 between Don Benton and myself, and between Governor Gregoire and her opponent Dino Rossi. That’s too close to call.

Doorbelling will be the key to our success. You are the face of this campaign. People are astonished to see a candidate and campaign volunteers at their door. Our doorbelling is the only thing that reverses the perception that this race is more than just the same old politics as usual.

A person at the door is the very best way to communicate that we really do care about our world, our nation, our state, our community, our people. Our future hangs in the balance of a very precarious economic situation. We need to elect candidates who have solutions to this global financial mess we’re in. We need to ensure that everyone will vote all the way down the ballot.

Can you help us with doorbelling? Please give Eric a call if you can make it. If you can’t meet us at the starting time, please just give us a call and we’ll let you know where to find us.

Please forward this message to other folks who care as much as you do!

Thanks so much for your support!
David

reply to:
Eric Horvath
eric@davidcarrier.org
work 360-892-2712
mobile 267-977-0749

next week’s doorbelling schedule:

Saturday 2:00-6:00 pm: Precinct 664
meet at Fisher’s Landing Transit Center at 2:00 pm
corner of 164th Ave. and SR 14

Sunday 2:00-6:00 pm: Precincts 483, 434, 560
meet at Salmon Creek Park and Ride at 2:00 pm
corner of 134th St. and I-5

Monday-Thursday 4:00-7:00 pm: Precincts 659, 682, 683
meet at Evergreen Transit Center at 4:00 pm
corner of 138th Ave. and 18th St.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

David Carrier

Tim Probst

Deb Wallace

The Columbian has an accurate and strong endorsement for all three Democrats running for the State Legislature in the 17th Legislative District in Clark County.  As a former Chair of the 17th District Democrats and someone who knows all three endorsees, it is quite surprising to see a newspaper that endorsed George Bush in 2004 see the light and pick the most qualified candidates to represent us (who also happen to all be Democrats).  So not only do I congratulate all three candidates on their endorsements by our local newspaper, I also congratulate The Columbian on their wise selections.

The Carrier-Benton Senate race is especially important this campaign cycle as Kathie Durbin points out in this article:

Democrats hold a 32-17 lead in the state Senate. A net increase of one Senate seat in November would give their caucus a two-thirds supermajority and the ability to refer constitutional amendments to voters or to suspend the state spending limit. The 17th is one of a handful of competitive Senate seats.

Here is the Candidate Forum presented by the League of Women Voters which aired last night during the Obama-McCain debate (so I am sure many of you missed this) on CVTV.  It has footage of all three endorsed candidates in the 17th LD along with other candidates who are running in the area.  Watching this will help inform you about our local Clark County candidates for the upcoming election.

CVTV footage, obtained pursuant to the Public Disclosure Act, in no way is intended by CVTV, the City of Vancouver, or Clark County to either promote or oppose any candidate for public office or any ballot proposition.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Dr. David Carrier

I met David Carrier about three months ago at a friend’s house.  He was instantly one of those people that you feel like you know the moment you meet him.

I knew he was planning on running against Senator Don Benton in East Vancouver’s 17th Legislative District.  I didn’t know he was an economics professor with a PHD from Notre Dame.  I thought he was in his early 40’s.  I didn’t know he was actually about a decade older.  I cynically thought he didn’t know the challenge he was up against.  I quickly found out I was wrong.

We chatted for many hours that day.  Most people would have found a reason to end our meeting after a couple of hours.  Not David and me.  Since we were having fun just unleashing our stream of consciousness upon each other about pretty much anything and everything (but with a big emphasis on politics), neither of us felt the urge to wrap up our meeting in a timely fashion.

I came away with an impression of a honest, intelligent man who cares deeply about people  Someone with a lot of real life experience that had taught him many of the painful lessons of life.  Someone with wisdom and compassion.  Someone with lots of energy who truly wanted to do some good in this world.  What more can you ask from someone you want to be your Washington State Senator?

It comes as no surprise to me that many many others have been similarly impressed with David and are supporting him with their time, money and soon, their vote.  The DailyKos has a post here about a woman in East Vancouver who tells her story of how she reacted to David who recently knocked on her door:

“I am immediately on guard. Homeless guys, guys in gang colors, guys dressed in odds and ends don’t frighten me. A man in a tie on my doorstep? I am instantly wary. Three-piece suits plunder the average American far more than anyone else.

My eyes narrow. I can tell I’ve got what the Selkie calls ‘that yellow-eyed stare’ on. “Democrat or Republican?”

He shifts into gear, and I can tell he’s searching for a clue. Like you can’t tell how a zaftig girl in sweats and a nosering is going to vote. “Well, the Republicans have had their turn for a long time now. Democrat.”

He bought himself twenty seconds to impress me. Republican would have made me say No thanks, I can’t respect anyone who affiliates themselves with such lying hypocrites. “Okay. That’s good.” I look over my spectacles. It’s time to get serious. “What do you think about the Paulson plan and the proposed bailout?”

“I’m against it,” he says immediately. And I can tell he’s maybe a little frightened at my sudden ferocity. How many times, I wonder, has he knocked on a door and had to contend with ignorance or apathy? And he’s still looking peppy. Bright-eyed. Interested.

This guy has the public-service bug. It might get knocked out of him, but he’s got it now.

My heart suddenly hurts…”

The above is an excerpt from Lilith Saintcrow’s blog post which can also be found in its entirety on her blog here.

If you are paying attention to what is happening in Washington D.C., it is quite apparent we are experiencing a failure of leadership on a massive scale.  It is time that we start holding our elected leaders accountable by supporting only candidates who are willing to represent, we the voters, and not just those with money and power.  David Carrier has refused PAC money.  He is not afraid to speak the truth about what is happening.  Most importantly to me, I believe he is a person of principle who will not sell his soul when a situation to do so arises.  This is the kind of person that deserves our support and our vote.

We need a new kind of politics and a new kind of politician in order to create a new kind of world.  As Confucious says, A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Voting for David Carrier is “a single step” in that journey to a new kind of world.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

3 Comments

• At October 2, 2008, Pat wrote:

  I think a lot of us in the 17th really appreciate David running for our senate seat. He is both principled and extremely knowledgeable. That is on top of being a truly caring people person. I don't think we could have a better candidate.

• At October 16, 2008, Chuck wrote:

  David Carrier Remarkable My wife and I started to attend the 17th LD meeting and we heard Doctor David Carrier speak. It is scary to realize the people we have in office are so shrouded in complacency. David communicated concerns that were my concerns. Lobbyists and deregulators have been destroying this country from within, like a cancer. He is the only person seeking a senate position that is not on someone’s payroll. He exhibits strong morals, ethics and sincerity, and with his grasp of the issues we face I have been completely impressed. His display of spirit and energy to help people is exactly what we need in these trying times. Unlike his counterpart, who after 14 years in office has become complacent to his obligation to the improvement of community.

  Doctor David Carrier's economic education and background has prepared over him as a leader. I spent 26 plus years in the Army and I know when someone has the ability to lead which is the ability to influence others to accomplish a mission, and caring leadership comes from a professional. David Carrier is both caring and a leader.

• At October 17, 2008, John wrote:

  It is scary to realize the people we have in office are so shrouded in complacency.

  Complacency is a very good description of what has gone haywire in America.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Image via Wikipedia

You are invited to a fundraiser and campaign strategy session for

David Carrier
Democrat for State Senate
17th Legislative District
www.davidcarrier.org

Thursday Sept. 18, 6:00 pm

Los Potrillos Restaurant
14415 S.E. Mill Plain
(between Hearthwood & 136th Ave.)
Vancouver, WA. 98684

Come show your support for David and
help strategize for the remainder of the election.
Now is the time to ask questions and tell him what
YOU want to accomplish when we win this election.

$20 donation includes a delicious appetizer,
dinner & dessert (beverages extra)

Email Carolyn Wolin
to make your reservation NOW.
Don’t forget to invite your friends!

/>

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Steps of the Olympia Capitol building

Jim Dunn apparently doesn’t accept reality too well.  Or at the very least missed a lesson or two in statistical probability.  In either case with only 18.4 of the vote so far in the primary, it will take more than some Republicans voting late for him to return to Olympia in this lifetime.  And as The Columbian states, it is pathetic that Dunn doesn’t know when to call it quits.  But then most finding themselves in his circumstances never would have run for reelection in the first place.

Hopefully this brings at least a little closure or recompense for the women he may have harmed with his apparently inappropriate behavior.

No matter who replaces Dunn in the general election, it will be a huge improvement.  And to the voters of the 17th Legislative District, shame on you for electing him in the first place.  And to Representative Dunn, please let the door hit you on the way out.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Kayaker Carrier in action

David Carrier ended last night’s election tally with a very respectable 47% of the vote against Benton.  Benton is an incumbent with gobs of special interest money.  Carrier is a newcomer to politics with limited resources and lots of energy.

Why is Carrier giving Benton a run for his money (pun intended)?  It seems the tired old Republican talking point of “no taxes” is not resonating any longer with the voting public.  And that is pretty much all the Republicans can come up with anymore for what they are about.

Nobody likes taxes.  But death and taxes are inevitable and in the case of the latter, play an important role in the quality of our lives.  Without reasonable taxes, our community is bound to suffer adverse consequences such as having a poor educational system, overcrowded roads, underfunded police, etc.

The emphasis should not be simplistic slogans against taxes but rather working towards a government that efficiently makes things better for its citizenry.  Government that is accountable and efficient are the keys to a better future, not starving government to the point that it no longer can operate in a fashion that is beneficial to us as a community.

David Carrier has tapped into this and based on last night’s results, it is resonating well with the people of the 17th legislative district.

Surf on over to his website and find out why life is about more than death and taxes.

Carrier press release on primary results (collapsible, click to view)

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

1 Comments

• At August 20, 2008, Pat Campbell wrote:

  While some try to keep the public's focus on taxes, the real hits in SW Washington have been energy deregulation (Enron and its affect on our monthly electric bill; mine has roughly doubled), encouragement of sprawl (Vancouver can basically afford only to keep up its arterial system now), deregulation of the financial services industries (insurance, investment funds, mortgages, credit lending), and a huge overhang of unfunded mandates from infrastructure and maintenance needs to misguided educational directives . That is not to mention an ill planned, incompetently directed, money sucking war. We need more folks like David, Tim Probst, Deb Wallace, and Debbie Peterson to show us the way through this in our cities, counties, states, and nationally. I'm glad that we are getting some well qualified people to run for office regardless of party or party partisanship in lieu of common sense (basically a church in Elephant or Jack Ass form).

  That should stir the hive up John!

If you have already mailed your ballot, thank you for voting.

Primary ballots MUST be postmarked by this Tuesday, August 19. Please vote.

Couple of articles about what is happening locally and around the state:

Primary gets new feel with ‘top two’

WA: What changes top 2 have wrought, pt 1

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Senator Don Benton claims that his campaign is funded by small business owners and individual citizens at a clip of 60% of his total haul. Aside from the other 40% of his funds coming from places like the National Rifle Association, payday lenders such as Money Tree, tobacco companies like R.J. Reynolds, and corporations like Wal-Mart, Benton’s claims may be correct. One of those individual contributors is Washington philanthropist David Nierenberg.

Nierenberg is the founder of D3 Family Funds of Camas, WA. A longtime contributor to Democrats statewide, Nierenberg invited the senator to invest in D3, which he did, to the tune of $75,000. Benton saw a return on his investment of at least $2,900.

Why is this troubling? David Nierenberg, filing as an individual citizen (and CEO of D3) contributed $2,900 to Don Benton this election cycle. Nierenberg has stated in the past that he supports candidates not by party, but those who exhibit “independent thinking.” David Nierenberg is certainly an independent citizen, but is Don Benton the type of independent thinker Nierenberg thinks he is?

While there is no specific indication that contributors like Mr. Nierenberg are purchasing access through campaign donations, relationships like this one deserve scrutiny, especially considering similar recent scandals with the Alaska state legislature. The meaning of independence, both by those contributing and the legislators whose campaigns they fund, is what’s at stake here.

Was Don Benton thinking independently when he launched his subscription-only legislative news website for registered lobbyists (which ultimately failed)? When state legislative ethics counsel Mike O’Connell warned Benton to “erect firewalls” between his legislative duties and business dealings, Benton ignored them. He signed the solicitation himself and referenced his legislative experience as reasons to subscribe to his service.

Was Don Benton thinking independently when he accepted donations well over the $2,500 contribution limit as head of the GOP state party? Even members of his own party were embarrassed by his actions. King County GOP chairman Reed Davis said Benton left the party in “near chaos.” These incidents paint a picture of the wrong kind of independence needed for voters of the 17th District.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

The name of the political game is money, money, money.   What it buys is access and legislation that does not necessarily benefit the people of the district the politician reportedly represents.

Here are two cases in point:

1.     Don Benton, a Republican incumbent in the 17^th Legislative District, has now amassed in excess of $180,000 in his bid for re-election.   Before the general election in November, it will surely be in excess of $300,000.   The salary of a State Senator is $42,106 per year.   Most of the money comes from corporations (tobacco companies, Wal-Mart, insurance companies, major banks, etc), PACs, and well-to-do individuals.  But, there are also plenty of smaller contributors who obviously believe in contributing to the Republican party.  It is these people to which I can feel a real affinity.  Don Benton does not need their money and will not necessarily vote in their best interest.  Assuming that a person living on a limited fixed income is comfortable making a $25 donation, it would take 64 such persons contributing to make up for one well-to-do person, PAC or corporation giving $1,600 (the limit).   Only a fool would be willing to knowingly contribute to this charade.

2.     Brian Baird, a Democratic incumbent in the 3^rd Congressional District, has now amassed $1,083,000 in his bid for re-election.   The salary of a member of Congress is $169,300.    He is facing three opponents in the primary but is not campaigning at the present time.   Apparently he is saving campaign funds for the general election.   The largest amount of money that any of his primary opponents has raised is $24,275.    Corporate and PAC contributions to his campaign are not much different than contributions received by Benton.   Indeed, he gives a lot of it away.  http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_com/H6WA03135. Recipients have been the Democratic Congressional Campaign ($42,860 in 2007), the Washington State Democratic Party ($5,160 in 2007) and members of the Democratic party running for election.   Only a fool would knowingly contribute to his campaign since it is clear he does not need funding.

People wishing to help elect true representation in Congress can contribute to Cheryl Crist who is not taking corporate or PAC money and is running against Brian Baird.     Citizens in the 17^th District can contribute to David Carrier (Benton’s opponent).   Carrier is not accepting corporate money or PAC contributions.   Neither of these candidates currently has adequate funding to counter-act the advantages that big money can buy.   Carrier states that he needs $30,000 to mount a campaign - as of 7/28/08 he has received $8,693.  Crist has raised $19,195.

The time is long overdue for public financing to be implemented throughout the U.S. and for the influence of corporations to be outlawed.    How can citizens possibly be represented in the halls of government by those auctioning themselves off to the highest bidder?     It is time for the charade to be over and for citizens to stand up to the puppeteers and start cutting the strings.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

2 Comments

• At July 30, 2008, Tom Sharples wrote:

  The candidate running against Brian Baird who raised $24K is Michael Delavar, the anti-war Republican.

  That $24K was raised entirely via private, grass-roots donations (no PAC or other special interest money) is about 3x the amount raised by Cheryl Crist.

• At August 1, 2008, Rosy wrote:

  It is gratifying to know that Michael Delvar is not taking

  any PAC money or special interest money. Thank you for your post.

  Delavar has raised $24,275 and Crist has raised $19,195 -- not

  sure how you computed that Delavar had raised 3x as much.

Tim Probst

You’re invited to help elect a leader we can be proud of as our voice in Olympia!  Please join us for the summer kick-off for Tim Probst, Candidate for State Representative, 17th District, Position 1.

Peggy Sheehan, Karen Ciocia, and Jeanne Kojis invite you to join us for a fun evening as we celebrate the candidacy of our friend Tim Probst.

Tuesday, July 29

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

In the beautiful backyard of Peggy Sheehan’s home

714 E 22nd Street, Vancouver, WA 98660

Please RSVP today to Steven Sparks at 360-989-7817 or steven@ElectTimProbst.com.

Not tax deductible. Paid for by Elect Tim Probst, 14300 NE 20th Ave, Ste D-102-285, Vancouver WA 98686-1446

We need your strong support! $35 suggested donation, any amount greatly appreciated!

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

The race for State Senate in the 17th legislative district will be heating up soon after the general election officially ‘starts’ after the August 19th primary.  The primary, designed to produce a candidate to take on incumbent senator/serial fund raiser Don Benton, was rendered moot when software developer Martin Hash dropped out in favor of David Carrier, economics instructor and political activist.  Hash worried about splitting the party in two and felt stopping Benton was more critical than personal achievement at that level.  After Hash’s gesture, the real concern for Democrats shifted to how to keep pace with Benton in terms of money.

Benton is widely regarded as the most prolific fundraiser in the Washington State legislature.  He even released a DVD in 2006, “How to Raise More Money Than You Ever Dreamed Possible.”  While the title sounds more self-help than selfless begging for money, Benton does bring home the bacon.  The question is, where does all that delicious bacon (er, money) come from?

The answer?  Not from you, dear district…who Don Benton so proudly claims to work for.  Don Benton’s campaign is funded by some less-than savory industries: banking and insurance companies, PACs and the omnipresent “Big Tobacco” (Phillip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, et. al.).  Lets not forget some other notable Benton contributors: Wal-Mart, the National Rifle Association and numerous cell phone carriers, like AT&T, Motorola and T-Mobile.

Okay, no surprise here, just basic Republican skullduggery.  As unfortunate as it is, we’re already numb to corporations and special interests when they fill GOP campaign coffers.  The real head scratchers in the Benton contributor list are the donations from payday lending firms like Money Tree, and their employees.  The Seattle Times ran a story a while back detailing Benton’s coziness with the industry and how that may play into their legislation seeing greener pastures.  Since then, companies like Money Tree have continued their financial influence.  In fact, according to the Seattle Times, “during the 2004 election, the state’s top 10 payday loan companies boosted their political contributions almost eightfold to nearly $200,000.”

Money Tree president Dennis Bassford has seen first hand the increase of donations from these companies, as his was at the forefront during the 2004 election.  Collectively, politicians statewide picked over $122,000 from Bassford’s Money Tree…up from just $17,200 in 2000.  Bassford attributed the increased contributions to the “maturing industry” of pay day lending.

One of the political benefactors of the “maturing” payday lending industry?  Senator Don Benton.  After siding with the industry’s legislative positions on bills aimed at reigning in payday lending’s most controversial practices, Benton sounded a lot like his buddy, Dennis Bassford.  Payday lending firms’ political contributions were growing “proportionate to the business.”  Hey Don, your talking points are showing!

What is payday lending anyway?  In the most basic sense, payday lending is a short term loan service, designed to get people over the hump until pay day.  The catch is that most loans are offered at incredibly high interest, sometimes forcing borrowers to keep borrowing loans to pay off loans.  This locks them in a cycle of credit dependency and erases any hope of financial independence.  Critics decry the business as profiting from financial hardship…kind of like robbing an old lady of her purse.  Then taking her shoes and making her walk home.  In the winter.  In Alaska.

While the reality of payday lending may not be nearly that bad, it isn’t exactly the kind of “good neighbor” you’d expect to donate to the campaign of a State Senator.  Its okay though, because it’s a maturing business.  How can a business like Money Tree not mature in an economy like this, where we routinely see people out of work and losing their homes.  Its okay…just borrow from tomorrow to pay for next year.  It’ll all work out!

In an election where Benton’s opponent, David Carrier, has pledged not to accept ANY donations from PACs or special interests, contributions like this and others will be heavily magnified, and for good reason.  Maybe with all this talk about change this election season, voters will send Sen. Benton to the unemployment line and to Money Tree…where he’ll be asking for money again, but for an entirely different reason.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

4 Comments

• At July 28, 2008, Lillian wrote:

  I've posted this same comment on David Carrier's blog, since he posted about it as well:

  This information is all very interesting, and luckily, the PDC swings both ways. As an Independent, I think it’s interesting that everyone seems to think listing Don Benton’s PAC contributions is a big negative to his campaign when there are twice as many Democrats receiving the same contributions from the same people.

  Has anyone looked at Sen. Pridemore or Rep. Fromhold’s contributions? How about Sen. Margarita Prentice’s? They’ve all received checks from either Phillip Morris or RJ Reynolds. Wal-Mart’s also given hefty contributions to both Fromhold and Prentice. In addition, all of them, including the Democrat Majority Leader Sen. Lisa Brown, have received contributions from the big cell phone companies.

  And what about the Governor? Christine Gregoire has received ridiculously generous donations from every organization above, and Gregoire shows bundled contributions from Moneytree totaling $4750 – how far from the Moneytree has her apple fallen?

  The fact is, these kinds of contributions are being given out across the board, and, if a candidate is smart, they take them. Each of these candidates, both Democrat and Republican, has a record of winning elections over and over again so they must be doing something right.

  Blasting Benton for accepting contributions that are also accepted by a number of Democrat leaders is absolutely ludicrous and, by definition, completely hypocritical. I’m not a huge Benton fan, but let’s at least try to be fair and objective here.

• At July 28, 2008, bushtool wrote:

  I notice you have not mentioned anything about the payday loan issue. Do both Ds and Rs take money from these legal loan sharkers?

  Completely agree that campaign contributions are a problem on both sides of the aisle. That is why supporting public financing of campaigns is so important.

  If I understand correctly, David Carrier is not and will not accept these types of campaign contributions so it is legitimate for him to point out this difference between himself and Benton.

• At July 28, 2008, Lillian wrote:

  I did mention, actually, that Christine Gregoire has received a bundled contribution of $4750 from Moneytree employees. So yes, both Ds and Rs take money from these contributions.

  I believe David Carrier has made this pledge -- it just seems to be a moot point to use it as an attack when his colleagues and endorsed candidates are accepting the contributions that he condemns.

• At July 28, 2008, bushtool wrote:

  If Gregoire is taking money from the loan sharks she should be criticized for that.

  My point is David Carrier does not deserve any similar rebuke.

  The Wa State Supreme Court just ruled that police cannot arrest passengers simply for being in a car that smells of marijuana. Seems to me that if Dr. Carrier isn't smoking it, then he isn't guilty even if his colleagues are lighting up around him.

What is the purpose of the August primary?

In the August primary, voters select the candidates who will run for office in the general election.

What is a Top Two Primary?

• In each race, the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the General Election. It is possible that both candidates who advance to the General Election prefer the same party.
• Voters do not have to pick a party. They can cast their vote for anyone who is running in a given race.

Will all the parties be represented in the Top Two primary?

In a top two primary, all candidates running for each office are listed without being supported, nominated or endorsed by a political party. Each candidate for partisan office may use any party’s designation after his/her name on the ballot, but that is strictly the candidate’s preference. A party designation does not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the party or that the party approves of or associates with that candidate.

What is the difference between a blanket primary and a Top Two primary?

In a blanket primary, candidates in each political party receiving the highest number of votes are qualified to run in the general election, thus ensuring that minor parties are represented. In the Top Two primary, only the top two vote getters run in the general election, and they might state the same party preference.

What offices are subject to the Top Two Primary rules?

The August 19 Washington State Top Two Primary rules apply to partisan candidates running for local, state and other federal offices. Included are races for the House of Representatives, the State Legislature, partisan statewide offices such as Governor and partisan county offices. The partisan offices of President and Vice President of the United States are not subject to Top Ten Primary rules. The August Top Two Primary pamphlets and ballots will reflect the candidate’s name and party preference. The party preference, however, does not imply that the candidate is endorsed, nominated, associated with, or approved of by that party. The top two vote getters for each partisan office will advance to the November 4 general election.

Nonpartisan postions do not fall under the Top Two Primary rules. For instance, the state judges, who are nonpartisan, are also running in the August Primary. If a judicial candidate is unopposed or receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary, s/he is elected to hold office.

For more information on the Top Two primary, go to Washington’s Secretary of State website.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Dr. David Carrier

Meet

David Carrier

Democrat for State Senate

17th Legislative District

www.davidcarrier.org

Special guest: Senator Craig Pridemore

Sunday July 27th, 4:00-6:00 pm

Hosted by Bob & Dona Dingethal

Join us for live music, wine and cheese!

17811 NW 56th Ave., Ridgefield

please RSVP to: david@davidcarrier.org

Discuss ideas for:

§ Affordable housing

§ Energy independence

§ Affordable health care

§ Prioritize education funding

§ Transportation and infrastructure

§ Renewable energy and climate change

§ Sustainable economic growth and opportunity

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver

Dog Training Cartoon

The Columbian has an interesting article about Joseph James today, candidate for State Representative in the 17th Legislative District (East Vancouver). Apparently James has indicated in his campaign positions that “Only 3 percent of us use mass transit, yet over 90 percent of transportation funds go toward mass transit. It’s obvious that the priorities be shifted to improving the many roads and highways that need to be upgraded and expanded.”

“It’s obvious” you say.  My dad always used to advise me that when someone says something is obvious, it is very often because they are lying.  The article goes on to indicate that James relied on a consultant for this statement, a consultant who also apparently advises Senator Benton on such matters.

It seems to me that when you make what appears to be a factual statement, you should check those facts before you make it a part of your official campaign materials.  Especially if the fact seems rather incredible on its face.

I did a quick check of the WSDOT records and came up with this link regarding the sources and uses of funds for transportation.  Since the numbers are not strictly broken out by mass transit and other uses, one cannot tell exactly how much is spent on mass transit.  Without going into the details but guesstimating from these numbers, it looks like the figure is somewhere around 20% or so.  And it is a giant leap from 20% to 90%.

Check the link yourself and try to see how it could be possible no matter how you add up the numbers to get anywhere even close to 90%.

Is someone playing this loose with the facts to make his arguments really someone qualified to represent us in Olympia?  And the fact that he relied on Don Benton’s consultant makes you wonder about whether the 17th LD Senator is also relying on misinformation for his campaign rhetoric.

Luckily we have two people running in the 17th LD who are qualified and competent, Probst and Carrier.

Update:  Just noticed this post on the same subject over at Politics is a blood sport.

Post from: Democracy for Vancouver