Councilmember Kshama Sawant to visit 34th District Democrats for minimum-wage discussion Wednesday

The City Council approved it, the mayor signed it, but the minimum-wage-raising plan isn’t a done deal yet, with counterproposals aiming at the ballot and at least one opponent aiming for court. It’s the big topic at this Wednesday’s monthly meeting of the 34th District Democrats, with Councilmember Kshama Sawant among the guests. Also on the agenda, another big issue: Gun laws, and whether to endorse the background-check ballot measure, Initiative 594. See the rest of the agenda here; all are welcome at the meeting (though only members can vote), 7 pm Wednesday (June 11th), The Hall at Fauntleroy.

Ray June 10, 2014 (12:29 am)

I hope people bring up the issue mentioned in today’s times article:
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023808298_chartertimingxml.html

Seems the Democrats leading the city are being dishonest and gaming the process. No surprise there, but this is a new low trying to force this stuff down our throats.

Same as the Metro issue, and now we found out that Dow and company are and have lied about that. Imagine!

jackspara June 10, 2014 (7:47 am)

We deserve this for continually drinking the Cool Aid and blindly electing Democrats and now SOCIALISTS! Please wake up Seattle, Western Wa. Watch all those minimum wage jobs be automated and welfare lines grow. They’re already automated in Europe. Argh! so naive.

Seattlite June 10, 2014 (8:12 am)

History has proven that Socialism fails because it decreases work with value, incentive to work hard. Earning the same wage when one person works harder than the other or is more experienced than the other is negative. Bottom line it is distribution of wealth through high taxes.

cj June 10, 2014 (10:27 am)

She’s a spitfire. Just what we needed to shake up the oh so comfortable with them selves city counsel.
I might remind some critics that she got a nice majority of the vote to get her seat. Ya think maybe Seattle voters were not happy with the old school candidates and all the deals they made?

Diane June 10, 2014 (10:58 am)

our new Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant is exactly what we needed for our city, to shake up the stale conservatively operating process, and move forward with some real progressive issues; this is an incredible success story, for a brave bold woman to gain her seat, and she has really proven herself as highly effective on city council; she is truly brilliant; even many of the previous naysayers are now singing her praises; she consistently speaks up in meetings for the working poor in our city, on many topics, not just the min wage; I am thrilled Kshama will be coming to our WS Dems meeting, and I will be there to greet her with open arms

jackspara June 10, 2014 (12:22 pm)

Change is great….but not for the sake of it…we need people who make our lives better, not who promote wellfare, put people out of work. NAME one country that has ever been successful with socialism. ONE! Wonder why all those Cubans get risk their lives in non-seaworthy craft…or all the CHILDREN being sent here from Guatemala…look around, wake up…PLEASE.

Seattlite June 10, 2014 (2:17 pm)

Sawant is exactly what Seattle doesn’t need along with the current City Council. Seattle needs a dose of leadership and business acumen not politics as usual.

jackspara — great comment.

Jeanie June 10, 2014 (2:56 pm)

Good grief! I don’t think Sawant is about to turn Seattle into a Socialist city. She is advocating for policies that might be considered progressive. Don’t worry, we won’t have to give up our corporations and our beloved, highly effective capitalism. Whether or not you agree with her, I think she is a fresh, welcome addition to a lethargic city council that preaches politics as usual.

No, No, No. June 10, 2014 (4:04 pm)

She has the same outlook on life as my ex-wife: “What’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine.” She scares the heck outta me, mostly because people are listening to her. And yeah, that’s going to cost all of us in the long run, I believe. Lots, in fact.

brandon June 10, 2014 (6:02 pm)

Her ideas are to spread the wealth from the wealthy. How has any of those ideas impacted the 1%? Sticking McD with a $15 wage is hardly accomplishing that while crushing small business. She’s been barking up the wrong tree, acting like the Mouse that Roared. Pass.

Good grief June 11, 2014 (1:30 am)

Unfortunately because I own a small business I may not be able to make it, because I have to work! But as a naturalized citizen born in another country Sawant insults my intelligence and many of my friends from other countries who have worked very hard for what they have.

935 June 11, 2014 (7:38 am)

I find it interesting that the voting populace of Seattle, consistently liberal, consistently whining about the process, the people in power, the policies, the process, ad naseum – when given the chance to vote for a “dark horse” candidate, they chose to go even FURTHER to the left!! Never to the right. Never to “moderate” just left. And if left isn’t good enough, then waaaaaaaay left. This city, county and state has been run into the ground (see Bertha) by the left, consistently. Now they flat out LIE to the voters ‘we don’t have enough money to fund metro – we need tax increases. Oh wait, they voted no?? [how dare they??] Never mind, sales tax revenue is up….we’re good – – – for now…..’ And we, as a voting populace keep going back for more. Now we have a socialist (and I agree with the above commenter – we are not about to become the bastion of socialism) and small business is dying. The middle class is dead ($500,000 houses anyone??)dinner last night for a party of 5 was $138 – with 2 orders off the kids menu. And yet the voting populace keeps electing the same seagulls (email me if you don’t get the euphemism)
I pray (yep – conservative here) for the future of our dear city, I pray for the future of our children. I pray for the voters that they may be able to take off the “liberal/progressive” blinders and vote for the candidates that will better the city, not pick a fight with those that serve it.

Ilasdad June 11, 2014 (11:37 am)

Dear Hard-working People,
You will rise to the top (again) and hopefully your wages will cover the increases caused by this.
It will take the same three to seven years as the base increase. Sorry. Until then your coworkers now make the same as you. Sorry that the last three or so years of your hard work went away.
Take solace in that those average or below average people will get fired and forced to commute out of Seattle proper to find work as the people out of city limits will commute to have a chance at a better living and create competition for your entry level job.

Metro should be so excited. All this new traffic in and out of the city.

Aargh.