Self-interest defeats voters

A King County judge recently ruled the initiative establishing the two-thirds majority requirement for raising taxes unconstitutional. This should surprise no one, since his pay, health care and pension are paid for by tax dollars.

Also not a surprise are the plaintiffs in the case: a dozen Democrat state representatives and the state teachers union. The pols want more tax money to continue to buy votes, and the union wants more money for a number of reasons, none of which are to provide a better education for our kids.

This initiative has been passed at least twice by a popular vote of the people, yet Democrats continue to work to dismantle it. It is interesting to recall last year when Gov. Gregoire and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown both solemnly stated that they would not seek tax increases. Now that the governor is not seeking re-election, she’s pounding the tax increase mantra heavily.

Count on the state Legislature to do the same next year, unless the judge’s decision is successfully appealed. Perhaps a new initiative amending the constitution and including term limits for state legislators would end this nonsense.

Hal R. Dixon

Spokane