Few Democrats are so undeserving of their seat as Congressman Norm Dicks. Here are seven reasons why he should not be reelected.

1.  Elected to the United States House of Representative seventeen times (34 years) he has still yet to secure a chairmanship for himself.  If someone you knew had been working for a company for over thirty-four years and still wasn’t trusted with even a middle-management position, wouldn’t you be a little suspicious of his character, conduct or convictions?

2. In 2003 he voted to authorize the president to use U.S. forces to preemptively invade Iraq.  Although publicly he has subsequently changed his position on the subject - he has continued to vote in favor of bills related to funding the war, even at times by breaking rank with his Democratic colleagues.

3.  Despite a legal background marked by a JD from the University of Washington, Congressman Dicks Voted for the USA Patriot Act.  He also voted for the Military Commission Act that effectively rationalized the suspension of habeas corpus as a tool to fight terrorism (He was one of only 32 House Democrats to vote for this.  The remaining 162 Democratic members of Congress voted NAY on the bill).  It remains uncertain as to whether or not US citizens – in addition to alien combatants – are also subject to the laws outlined in this bill.

4.  Continues to support free-trade legislation, despite a worsening economy.

5.  Voted for the Bush Bailout, despite countless polls that suggested that the overwhelming majority of both Democrats and Republicans opposed the legislation.

6.  Voted for the FISA Amendment Act of 2008.

7.  Crapped out of his first Melon Interview midway through a radio recording because he suddenly remembered he had “a dentist appointment.” The subject of the interview was veterans suffering from PSTD – a topic which both Elliot Trotter and Peter Braun were shocked to discover that the congressman was unwilling to discuss or knew relatively little about.  This was very disturbing given that Congressman Dicks represents one of the largest military districts in the United States.

These are only a few highlights into the career of one congressman who went too far and was kept for too long. Therefore, I would encourage you all to either vote for the Republican candidate, Doug Cloud, who – if nothing else, is not Norm Dicks and would have opposed the bailout.  If you, as a Democrat, can’t move yourself to vote for a Republican, then write-in Paul Richmond, a fellow Democrat who would have been a vast improvement had he won the primary.  If neither of these options sound palpable to you, then you can write in Harvard West: The Lesser of Three Evils.

The following excerpts constitute a list of statements taken from the websites of legitimate local candidates for public office which I thought worth repeating.

1. “Senator Carrell is committed to protecting the environment. He fought to preserve Fort Steilacoom Park, and earned funding to restore the park’s historic facilities. Mike also believes we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by investing in renewable energy.” (State Senator Mike Carrell, GOP)

Excuse me, but since when has preserving 340 URBAN acres of soccer fields, baseball diamonds, barbecue pits and wood-chip jungle gyms fallen under the category of environmentalism? This is an artificial recreational facility, not a wildlife refuge (though I do believe hunting is illegal inside Ft Steilacoom Park, unless you happen to be Senator Carrell and own a crossbow.)

2. “Reading and writing seem to be doing the trick. However, math and science are obviously struggling- with math being a candidate for boondoggle of the decade.” (Dave Dooley, School Administrator and Candidate for State Representative, GOP)

Curiously enough, for those out there who were wondering, as a noun the word “boondoggle” is most popularly defined by Urbandictionary.com as: “A person who is dumb enough to ask the mirror to perform sexual acts for them.” However, apparently when “boondoggle” is applied as a verb, it means “Sneaking up on a woman from behind and groping her.”

3. “Last session I passed a bill that will start increasing the number of family doctors.” (Larry Seaquist, State Representative, Democrat)

I’m sure there must be more to this, but he doesn’t go any further elaborating said bill.

4. “You will be the most important person to enter my office… in person, by mail or by telephone.” (Larry Faulk, former State Senator and current GOP candidate)

I personally plan to FAX myself to Senator Faulk’s office.  But wait, it gets better.

“You will never be treated as cold statistics… but flesh-and-blood human beings with feelings and emotions like my own.”

And

“I will not argue or match wits with you… arguments are won only by avoiding them.”

Now if only the GOP could find a way to translate this position to foreign policy and military intervention. Read More >>

While the number of Pierce County residents who might qualify as “crazy” is potentially endless, only a select few are insane enough to be worthy of the distinction of a Pierce County Crazy. These individuals rise above terms like “unbalanced” or “eccentric” so that their every action ultimately encapsulate the very definition of what it is to be a true “maniac.”

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While the number of Pierce County residents who might qualify as “crazy” is potentially endless, only a select few are insane enough to be worthy of the distinction of a Pierce County Crazy. These individuals rise above terms like “unbalanced” or “eccentric” so that their every action ultimately encapsulate the very definition of what it is to be a true “maniac.”

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While the number of Pierce County residents who might qualify as “crazy” is potentially endless, only a select few are insane enough to be worthy of the distinction of a Pierce County Crazy. These individuals rise above terms like “unbalanced” or “eccentric” so that their every action ultimately encapsulate the very definition of what it is to be a true “maniac.”

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Neither Governor Gregoire, nor former State Senator Rossi can really claim to be champions of public schools or higher education. Gregoire’s base is rooted in environmental issues, while Rossi is a big-business Republican who is fond of reminding voters that taxes are too high. Nonetheless, both are aware that education is an issue, and both are doing their best to convince the public that they in fact represent the number one choice for Washington’s Schools.

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Does this video look fake to you? Is the lady too attractive to be married to that guy? Is her every movement too harmonious? Is that guy too “on-the-ball?”

The following is the City of Tacoma’s “Background and Purpose” statement for a recent pilot trade-program with Fuzhou China despite a declining economy and a recent outbreak of anti-Chinese sentiment around the world. It was taken from the PDF for the “China Trade Project Consultant” application currently available through the City.

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Upon learning in late February that the Pentagon had awarded Boeing’s expected tanker project to French-based AirBus, Washington State Democrats staged a public protest that continues to this day.

Meanwhile, Democrats in the other Washington continue to block President Bush’s efforts to ratify a free trade agreement with Colombia.

The economy remains in shambles and is growing worse. Fuel and food cost are climbing at a dizzying rate, and much of the blame is being placed on China.

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Gary Locke: (D) 1950 –

Arguably the most popular governor in Washington State History, Locke was the first American of Chinese decent to be elected governor of a state. As late as 2003, well into Locke’s second term, there was talk on the national scene of Locke seeking a vice presidential nomination and in 2007 he was offered a bid for the presidency, though declined in favor of supporting Hillary Clinton. Locke’s popularity at home, however, was significantly weaker, especially among Democrats during his second term.

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