Yes, Doug Ericksen (R), "state representative for the 42nd District", wants to "repealing the state mandate on septic tank inspections". Never mind that growing population and aging septic systems are having an impact on water quality all over Washington State... somebody grumbled about paying an inspection fee and Doug smells a chance to pander to his ultra-rightwing base. For his indifference to public health and safety, I think Ericksen should be dubbed The Cholera Kid.
But enough with the Medieval mirth... and on to serious analysis.
In his Bellingham Herald op-ed "deputy Republican leader" Doug Ericksen's claims he's "working on comprehensive solutions for the entire state". Unfortunately he goes on to trot out the same old unpalatable, unworkable Republican proposals.
First, he complains that the Democratic majority won't accept Republican ideas on health care.
But he doesn't mention that those ideas are about protecting insurance companies profits, giving insurance co. and hospitals immunity from prosecution for malpractice and removing accountability so that insurance co. can provide less coverage at higher prices without telling their customers. Doug and his fellow Republicans want to give us "choice"; unfortunately, all the choices they offer are bad ones.
Second, he complains about property taxes. He does some funky math to make it sound like State spending is out of control. But he doesn't explain that, when you figure in inflation and population growth, spending has stayed level. Nor does he mention that taxation in Washington State isn't all that high. Nationally the average total state and local tax burden is 11% and the total of state and local taxes in Washington State is 11.1%.
Third, he rehashes the wsrp's standard scare tactic; sex offenders. Two years ago the Republicans sent out fake sex offender notification postcards in an attempt to frighten voters, this year they're idea is to propose what the Democrats are already in the process of doing.
There's a good reason the Democrats out number Republicans 2 to 1 in the State Legislature... The Washington State Republican Party is intellectually exhausted and morally bankrupt.
But enough with the Medieval mirth... and on to serious analysis.
In his Bellingham Herald op-ed "deputy Republican leader" Doug Ericksen's claims he's "working on comprehensive solutions for the entire state". Unfortunately he goes on to trot out the same old unpalatable, unworkable Republican proposals.
First, he complains that the Democratic majority won't accept Republican ideas on health care.
But he doesn't mention that those ideas are about protecting insurance companies profits, giving insurance co. and hospitals immunity from prosecution for malpractice and removing accountability so that insurance co. can provide less coverage at higher prices without telling their customers. Doug and his fellow Republicans want to give us "choice"; unfortunately, all the choices they offer are bad ones.
Second, he complains about property taxes. He does some funky math to make it sound like State spending is out of control. But he doesn't explain that, when you figure in inflation and population growth, spending has stayed level. Nor does he mention that taxation in Washington State isn't all that high. Nationally the average total state and local tax burden is 11% and the total of state and local taxes in Washington State is 11.1%.
Third, he rehashes the wsrp's standard scare tactic; sex offenders. Two years ago the Republicans sent out fake sex offender notification postcards in an attempt to frighten voters, this year they're idea is to propose what the Democrats are already in the process of doing.
There's a good reason the Democrats out number Republicans 2 to 1 in the State Legislature... The Washington State Republican Party is intellectually exhausted and morally bankrupt.
2 comments:
Cholera is about right. "Dirty" Doug "The Cholera Candidate" Ericksen nominated for douche of the year!
Oh, he has no chance of winning. Not with George "The Terrible" Bush and Dick "-Head" Cheney in the lead, Dino "The Laundromat" Rossi, Joe "Duh" Elenbaas, and David "Betrayus" Petraeus follow close behind.
Just thought he should be added to Douche Of The Year list.
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