Dino Rossi – A Resonable Republic

[c@lbob]

In the midst of Tea Party candidates in other states attacking the constitutionality (and existence) of the minimum wage, we have our own, home grown, “reasonable” Republic, Dino Rossi.

Oh, we support the federal minimum wage, says the Rossi campaign, it’s only the pesky state minimum wage that needs deflation. Lower for teenagers, capped for adults.

Imagine a Republic majority in the US Senate, when the vote comes up to trim, limit, or eliminate the minimum wage, how do you think Dino will vote? Will he buck his caucus and defend the minimum wage?

Don’t count on it.

That’s all I need to know about the “reasonableness” of the GOP. It is a myth.

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[JoB]

c@lbob..

how can you say that?

republicans like Rossi think it is perfectly reasonable that those with money make big bucks off our current economic chaos …

and will be delighted to accept those kickbacks to help them find more ways to keep those dollars rolling in…

for them that has…

for them that has not..

well they should just work longer and harder …

after all ..

this is America where everyone knows the streets are paved with gold

after all.. if a guy like Rossi can get rich off of political kickbacks and favors.. anyone can.

:(

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[HMC Rich]

Rossi is a good business man. He is really good at selling commercial properties. Gee, he may have even worked with rich people. Wow, what a concept.

Patronage, Isn’t that the first commandment of the Democratic party?

I posted a link from the Seattle Times a bit ago on his record. He has nothing to hide AND he projected the revenue shortfall that Chris denied during the last gubernatorial campaign. And you scoffed.

His opponent is very good at supporting legislation that takes our money and gives it to others.

There is a federal and state minimum wage. This has increased at times usually when democrats are in charge. As a worker, if you settle for minimum wage, you make that choice. The incentive is to find work that pays you more. It is simple. Life is not easy. A little help may be good but the rest is up to each individual. Some have good results others do not.

If the state cares so much about workers, maybe they will change the B&O tax to Net instead of Gross. Then possibly many or some (but not all) employers would pay their employees more.

How much does Murray get from outside interests? I bet she has never met with a lobbyist. Yup. This thread is not a big issue.

Health Care insurance going up? She voted for it. Debt, Deficit going up? She voted for Stimulus and Pork filled Budgets, Unemployment a bit too high? She’s been there for about 18 years. How about some accountability. Oh yes, she has brought the bacon home over the years. Bacon we earned and she and other politicians (both parties) spend. Now our kids are going to have to pay for it.

As Jesse Jackson said a few years ago…It’s time for a change. The mom has worn out her welcome and worn out her tennis shoes. She needs to go home.

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[JanS]

you really believe all thnat hogwash about Dino? In my book he’s smarmy…a slick salesman. I don’t like slick salesmen.Our WA state laws say that the minimum wage will be evaluated once a year at the end of September, to adjust for “cost of living”., Then that adjustment is made on Jan. 01 of the following year. This year our legislature – or whoever does the evaluating – was going to just ignore the law and not reevaluate. I’m not sure if that happened or not. It’s Oct. 05, and they’ve been quiet about it. But the rumor was they were just going to break the law and not do it. It would probably have amounted to about 10-12 cents. You really feel that those who accept it simply have no direction, don’t try hard enough? That if they just tried they could be making money hand over fist like Dino? Seriously?Those lovely honeycrisp apples that you buy at the store…who the hell would pick them if it wasn’t for minimum wage people? That burger you bought at JITB last week? Someone’s gotta sell them…maybe a living wage should be paid to do that instead of the company making an extra mil this year. Sometimes, Rich, people take the minimum wage because it’s what they can get…it beats nothing! But not by much. Try living on it…try taking care of your lovely child on it, try owning a house and living comfortably on it. It’s simply a bad choice these people have made? Really?

Companies that no one wants to tax are making a ton of money, but guess what. They’re holding on to it – they’re not creating the jobs…more and more are actually taking them away. You’re OK with that?

I think that something is askew in our world when we let the corporations run roughshod over everything, and call the shots. Oh, you say that’s just not right? Big business isn’t ruling things right now? Did you see the article about 1st Monday? what kind of cases the Supreme Court under Roberts is going to take this year? http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/opinion/04mon1.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

I get real tired of hearing about how evil Patty Murray is. She is NOT responsible for the entire national debt, for g-d’s sake. She is a senator from WA State, sent to DC to represent – guess who? US! to work for US..the people in the state of WA. Do you think that if Dino wins, he’s gonna go back to DC and NOT work for US? Then what’s he gonna do there except rotate on his thumbs for a few years. What will you say when HE starts bringing the pork and bacon home? And how long do you think it will take for people to start howling if he doesn’t? You honestly think he’ll be different? I have an island…a bridge…

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[Al]

I am so tired of hearing from the conservative point of view about how people who are in a dire situation…it’s all their own fault!

Take my in-laws as an example. My father in law was in the military during Vietnam, got out and had a good job with GM that supported his wife and child. A good choice, no? Then when the auto manufacturing jobs started leaving Flint, MI he was out of work. His choice? I don’t think so. Luckily, he got a job transfer to a town 45 miles away so he got to commute a long way for several years. Then that job was downsized to part time (during the G.W. years I might add). He had to take it because there was no choice. There were no other jobs (oh, wait, part time jobs earning minimum wage? Is that what you wanted him to do while owning a home, providing for his family?).

Then tragically, he became ill with a serious chronic disease and his wife was also diagnosed with another chronic health problem. He and his wife now had little income. This was not their choice. Last year GM cut off their dental insurance and vision insurance. They recently lost her entire medical plan because GM no longer covers employee family insurance. This was not their choice (yes, I acknowledge that there were deals done w/the current administration which were supposed to be rectified with the new national insurance plans). They have moved to the Seattle area so we are helping them as much as we can, but now they can’t afford any health insurance at this time, and the WA State plan has a horrendous waiting period. If her health (very poor) deteriorates further she, and we – my spouse and I, have some very diffiult times ahead. This is not OUR choice. Insurance companies are jacking up their rates, dropping coverage options, complaining about their “potential” loses while making millions! And the horror that is expressed when talking about health care for EVERYONE is disgusting. It doesn’t just effect that one person who doesn’t have it, it’s their family, the extended family, the community (i.e. we are planning many emergency room visits which they cannot pay for due to lack of insurance and poor health and guess who helps foot the bill for all that?).

Any statement saying it’s my families fault for not making the appropriate “choices” is ignorant and dangerous and highly inappropriate.

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[Carson]

I would love to see an alternative to Patty Murray. A Liberal alternative would be great, but I would settle for a fresh face with fresh ideas. Dino is not fresh or new, just another white guy with deep ties to the establishment. So, given the choice of 2 same old same old I will go with the one I trust more. Patty Murray.

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[JoB]

HMCRich..

dino may have predicted the shortfall in his campaign talks.. but he sure didn’t warn us of the impending crash that would cause it.

even a broken clock is right two times a day.

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[ws4ever]

Choice of an elitist, self-serving, self-aggrandizing male who blames the incumbent for necessary decisions to save the country’s economy from tanking? Rossi has no solutions to the current challenges, just petty sniping and get-rich schemes for the rich. Individualism at the risk of democracy and the common good, is parasitic.

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[lizru]

I’ve met Dino Rossi a couple of times and he’s a totally decent guy. But. Would he vote the way I would? Nope. That’s why I’ll vote for Murray.

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[charlabob]

Nobody who believes what Rossi believes and supports (at least by silence) the radical right positions on such issues as Minimum Wage is a decent person. No matter how brightly his caps shine. Sorry, I ain’t buying it. JoB and CatlBob can be the voices of reason on my side and I love them both for it. :-)

Meantime, I will continue to oppose the Talibanization of the United State by the Extreme Right that has taken over the R party. And to ask, “Why DO you guys hate America?”

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[dobro]

Dino Rossi is a scumbag just like most Republicans. Here’s a story that mentions a few of his business practices…

http://www.washblog.com/story/2008/3/19/132728/784

He’s only running because the Repubs had nobody except a teabagger to run against Murray and his Building Trades bagmen made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. One of the best things about the upcoming election will be to see this slimeball become a 3 time loser.

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[Smitty]

bob, what does that mean “the radical right positions on such issues as Minimum Wage”?

The idea that the States should set their own is crazy or that constitutionally the feds have no right to set one?

I happen to agree with the former, but not the latter (precedent was set long ago, commerce clause, etc).

dobro,

You said “teabagger”, that’s a good one!

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[Smitty]

This just in, Murray #2 in teh ENTIRE congress in donations from lobbyists.

How is this so much better than funding your own campaign (like Whitman).

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2013086355_pattymurrayno2insenateinlobbyistdonations.html

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[dobro]

The radical right position on the minimum wage is that there shouldn’t be one, federal or state. Workers should just take what the bosses offer and like it. Kind of like life before unions.Another example of the attitudes of these heartless scum.

Patty Murray? I’d prefer a more progressive senator but given a choice between her and pond scum (Dino) I gotta go with Murray.

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[Carson]

dobro,

What do you have against pond scum? Frogs live in pond scum. When you call Dino Rossi pond scum you insult pond scum…

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[JanS]

Smitty, just an FYI…Charlabob is…female…note the Charla before the bob :)

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[Escondido]

I think there is one practical matter in all this that is not being addressed here, locally, or nationally: some people are not made to be captains of industry, CEOs, and movers and shakers. Most of us do very important work for society that is not “valued”, or, in others words, that is not paid a high salary. We can’t all make “big money” – there must be the little “worker bees” that keep the machinery running, the elderly cared for, the shelves stocked at the supermarket.etc. Most of us are very talented at and well suited to do the humble, but very important work. I’m not stupid, but I know I don’t have the personality to be the manager that makes the big money- but I am excellent at doing the support work – the work that makes my boss look like a star. Also, as an example, my husband made very good money about 15 years ago, but his industry was changing dramatically due to technical innovations. He saw that he needed a new line of work and returned to school for a Masters degree. He is very well suited for this new line of work and in my opinion gifted at it. We are paying off a large student loan and he moonlights using his new degree (because there are no full time jobs out there presently), but makes only modest money. Sure, he could have gotten an MBA, but he would have been miserable and incredibly lousy at whatever work it would bring. What people are looking for HMC Rich is just the chance to work hard, contribute to society, and be given a bit of respect. I was once a very conservative person, but I’ve come to realize life just isn’t black and white. Thank god I’ve seen the light!

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[Smitty]

Thanks, Jan. My bad.

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[charlabob]

Yup — the bob half is Catlbob. :-)

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[JoB]

Escondido…

i believe that workers deserve a fair wage for the work they do…

i believe that if you sign on for a 40hr/wk job that even if you are a salaried employee you should be paid overtime for working over 40 hours.

i believe that when you take your paycheck home you should be able to pay for a roof over your head, food on your table, healthcare and education.

I believe that if retirement benefits including healthcare were part of your employment package.. your employer should not be able to “reorganize” without fulling funding the retirement you earned.

i believe that the most productive workforce on the face of the earth should be paid for that productivity…

no.. we are not all captains of industry.. but there is no reason captains of industry should be paid so much more than the support staff that makes them successful.

wage disparity is at an all time high :(

this is why it is so important for working people to get out and vote in this election…

i have heard all of the rationalizations for why democrats are no better than republicans and some days i hang my head in shame at the excuses for legislation our democratic congress has passed…

but at least democrats are willing to give a little to the working classes…

republicans only see them as a tool to be inflamed by speakers like glenn beck and sarah palin and the entire staff of FOX’s nightly news for political gain.

at least democrats ask what they might do for you.

republicans only ask what you can do for them.

the band wagon of greed inspired initiatives is counting on you being either angry enough to throw over anything that is established or too discouraged to get out there and vote at all.

lets surprise them.

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[Smitty]

This whole wage disparity thing drives me crazy (go figure!).

Is it because wages at the lower end have gone down, the upper end has gone up (way up) or both? If the disparity is because the upper end has gone up then who cares? Strive to become a CEO then. Take CEO pay and divide it amongst the “worker bees” and what do they get, a 2 cent/hours raise?

Additionally, why do people think that job growth and compensation are static? I was in the lower 20% of income earners when I graduated college and now find myself in the upper 20%. People “move” through the quintiles.

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[dobro]

Let’s make it reeee-aaa-l simple…

Real income for middle class-flat since 1980s

Real income for top 2%- wayyyyyy up

During 1990s-early 2000s rich people loan middle class peoples lots of money so they can buy stuff and go into deep debt (cuz their real income has not gone up)

Economy seems to be humming but its really a big bubble that finally bursts-result-rich people make lots of money off the scam-middle class and poor saddled with massive debt while no rise in real income-collapsing fake economy causes unemployment and recession while rich people hang onto their money and fail to “create jobs” which, according to Republics, is what they will do if we just let them have more money but somehow they’d rather keep the money and spend it on themselves than help their country and fellow citizens-Wow! what a surprise! (not)

smitty’s solution- be a rich CEO, try not to be a poor or middle class person. Yeah, that’ll work.

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[Carson]

Smitty,

I am just curious, what does the CEO of Vandelay Industries where you work make? Does everyone, including the CEO get extra incentives for abusing the female employees? Inquiring minds want to know!!

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[Smitty]

So, if we put a CEO cap of some kind say “5 x average worker pay” or something like that, then things would be better for the “middle class”? How exactly?

Is the “compensation pie” a fixed total amount? Howso?

You sound like you are out for revenge, not for actually increasing your HHI.

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[JoB]

smitty…

no-one is out for revenge…

this is about equity.

that’s a totally different concept.

when United “reorganized” without ever taking a day off their flying schedule and dumped their pension programs their pilots had earned along with their wages…

the top officials who bartered that deal all got big bonuses for “saving” the company money… approved by a bankruptcy judge.

Had you worked a lifetime for that company so that you could retire on the benefits you earned i doubt you would find that equitable.

those pilots all had college educations and had invested a substantial amount of their time and sacrificed normal family life to practice their craft…

so much for the basic concept of getting a good education and investing in marketable skills….

you will find out just how specialized a skill flying is if your plane takes a sudden nose dive. You had better pray that someone who knows what they are doing is at the controls… because without that skill it’s all dumb luck… and no amount of money is going to buy you that.

yes.. their pensions were backed by the pension security fund.. which nets them a fraction of the pensions they earned.

and that is just the story of one company.. the tip of the iceberg when it comes to pensions, health plans.. etc…

I’m certainly not jealous… the lifestyles of the rich and infamous look pretty jaded to me…

but i do think we are all entitled to what we have earned.

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