“ Jaxon Ravens Elected State Chair Party Chair, 22 By Debby Pattin Democrats Vancouver, WA, He defeated defeated He WA, in Vancouver, held meeting, Committee Central 1 February the at gin won the election by a wide mar chair Pelz, Raven Dwight of manship the under Democrats Executive State the of Director as decade Party. Thurston County Democrats OR CURRENT RESIDENT PRESORTED Having served the last last the served Having

PO Box 164 STANDARD Democratic Wash State ington the of chair the accepts Ravens Jaxon humbled”, and Honored nd

Olympia WA 98507-0164 U.S. POSTAGE Legislative District PAID OLYMPIA, WA PERMIT NO. 107 - - - I “ 10 By Rep Be Our Number One Priority Unemployment Insurance Should Moving Forward, United Editor, The Democrat By Dennis Mansker that? It’s like voting against against voting like It’s that? right”. constitutional a of violation a in result would of laws that foreign application the from – citizens 6118 “Protecting SB It’s against. ing people when we meet them. we meet when people ask we things first the of one so much about our country. It’s director of Washington State State Washington of director executive the as served who lobbyist, and fundraiser sional profes a is graduate, School trict. Dis Congressional 4th the in 2010 in Congress for nominee Democratic the also was ing, and election, prior to redistrict 2012 the in District Legislative the State Legislature in the 8 the in Legislature State the for candidate Democratic the was Kennewick, from veteran 2012 Dinner. Kennedy County the remember for speaker the as Laurent may Thurston Democrats west. Parenthood-North Planned director of political former the was and Strategies Win/Win group: impressive position. the for Jay Clough and Kainbar Jim Laurent, Dana SB 6118 – Islamophobia Will “Protect” Us from Shariah Law th Really, who could be against wants to be on record vot record on be to one wants no that legislation of pieces those innocuous-sounding of one another t’s Kainbar, an Olympia High High Olympia an Kainbar, Clough, a US Marine Corps Corps Marine US a Clough, of director the is Laurent an were opponents His Congressional District simple question reveals reveals question simple ing?” liv a for do you do What I’ve long believed this this believed long I’ve

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ger than 26 weeks. Initially, Initially, weeks. 26 than ger lon for job a for looking have been who individuals for out ran insurance unemployment nificant that two of the bill’s bill’s the of two that nificant sig be may it While order. in rights? constitutional our to dangerous so is laws” eign “for of application What here? ger that needs to be addressed dan present and clear a there on. counting are sors, four Republican senators, Flag. The and Pie Apple Mom, find work. On December 28 December On work. find to neighbors our of many for harder it making is Congress now. right doing be should we things of important most one the is job at good-paying work a find to opportunity the Washingtonians more ing Giv self-worth. and sense dignity of a people gives Work are. we who of part core do a is we work the else, where any or Lewis-McChord, Base Joint business, small local a facility, healthcare a agency, state a at it’s Whether work. to hardwired are we ground, back our matter no this: is it tors from 2009 to 2013. to 2009 from tors Direc Executive Democratic State of Association National the of President as 2001, and and 2000 in YoungDemocrats State Washington the of dent 2004. since Democrats State Washington the for working been has and 2000s the in of years a couple the for Democrats King County of Director Executive the was He Management. International of School Graduate American the Thunderbird, from MBA an and Cruz Santa at California of University the from and Economics Politics in degree elor’s Bach a has He MT. Missoula, campaign. her for tor coordina volunteer statewide 2008 will remember Jim as the from delegates Clinton term. Hillary Berendt’s Paul during years eleven for Democrats A little background may be be may background little A But what is behind this bill? Is spon the what that’s And Unfortunately, inaction in in inaction Unfortunately, ask we reason the believe I e lo evd s Presi as served also He in up grew Ravens Jaxon th , ------they cut back and spend less. less. spend and back cut they benefits, insurance their lose work for looking people When businesses. local hurts also It jobs. for looking people for bad just isn’t benefits modest insur these of expiration the ance, unemployment have lost who individuals the on We’ll keep trying. turn. every at blocked been we’ve far So insurance. unemployment long-term of renewal for calling in Obama, chambers, as well as President both in colleagues Democratic acts. Congress by unless goes that week every growing keep It’ll 31,000. to than grown more has number affected. That were seekers job 25,000Washington than more rfe te olrlt lan it and legislation this of guage boilerplate the drafted Public Policy American Alliance the itself calling organization legislation. this of source true the as important as not is tion connec that – Brothers Koch the of subsidiary a wholly-owned Council, Exchange islative Leg American the – ALEC of members are and Becker, Randi Benton Don sponsors, trig ih y ie s a as time my with Starting party. the of future the on sion discus encouraging for them thank and races strong their Jim Kainber, and Jay Clough on Laurent, Dana congratulate I ington State Party. Democratic Wash the of Chair as be elected to humbled and am honored “I said, Ravens election, Commission. Arts State ington Wash the of member a also is He . the from Award Service Volunteer State ington a Wash with he was presented 2011 In President,. Board as (SANCA), Arts where he serves Circus New and Acrobatics for School the and Cross Red the Works, including tions organiza non-profit several in involved actively is Trail. Jaxon Clark and Lewis the following US the across solo biked 2003 he in and overseas eling While our focus is rightly rightly is focus our While my of hundreds joined I’ve Actually, a well-funded well-funded a Actually, On the evening of his his of evening the On trav 1990s the spent He ------the opportunity to keep looking. find work. We should give them for our friends and neighbors to condition is bad policy. while our economy is still in this insurance unemployment ing End 2000s.1990s and the of everwas during therecessions it than higher still is rate ment unemploy long-term The work. for looking people three every for opening job one only still job. Right now, however, there’s nitely for everyone looking for a unemployment insurance indefi applicants. job qualified of deprived are grow are to looking that County Thurston in businesses small result, a As entirely. workforce the of out They’re also more likely to drop exists for the sole purpose of of purpose sole the for exists and its anti-Muslim at rabidly is core rhetoric, quasi- patriotic noble-sounding its all ours. including 30 more, nearly in hopper the in it’s and other four law, into it passed have states and Oklahoma Florida, Already states. the of legislatures the to it feeding force- of process the in now is and 2016and elections. to in 2014the victories upcoming Democrats State Wash ington leads he as Jaxon to congratulations our send crats future.” better to a secure schools for our ing provid and justice, and rights equal ensuring class, middle on the build –strengthening legacy that to fight will I allies, our and officials, elected our candidates, our Party, ocratic Dem State Washington the of Washingtonians. women and men the Alongside all of lives the benefit that policies sive progres enacting and leaders electing in a success of have legacy Washington in crats Demo levels. national, local and state, the at Democrats with built have I relationships the for grateful am I Director, Executive as role my with ing continu and Democrat Young We shouldn’t make it harder it makeshouldn’t We offer cannot we true It’s Sadly this organization, for for organization, this Sadly The Thurston County Demo County The Thurston February 2014February Edition Please turn to page Please6 turn ------2 THE DEMOCRAT February 2014 # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Message from the Chair our legislature can’t seem to ing increase mandated by a us –and especially those of you I am very excited about re- understand the results of their citizens’ initiative – they have who live in the 35th Legislative electing some REALLY GREAT refusal to pass a transporta- denied this minimal increase District – has to work and work Democrats in this year’s elec- tion package, especially since for 6 YEARS!!! hard to retire Senator Tim Shel- tion, and I will be writing, they know full well how desper- I am really angry with all don. I believe that Tim Sheldon talking – hollering – and work- ately we need road and bridge those elected representatives, has never really been a Demo- ing very hard to reelect Denny repairs. How desperately we but I am especially ANGRY with crat, someone who shares Heck in the 10th Congressional need a new bridge across the Senator Tim Sheldon, who is our beliefs and values, and we District, all of our county Dem- Columbia River between Van- GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY in all of have to hand him his walking ocratic office holders, and our couver and Portland. this. He is part and parcel of papers, deliver his pink slip, current PUD Commissioners. What the hell are they think- that group of legislators who, give him the boot, show him This is going to be a very ing? flying in the face of a Supreme the door and send him down exciting election year and I By Roger Erskine, Not about you and me – Court Decision, refuses to fol- the road. expect to see each and every Chair, Thurston County Democrats that’s for sure! low the constitutional mandate We must also work hard to one of you working hard to am angry. I am angry and I am very angry! I cannot to fund our K-12 Education sys- elect Greg Hammond, a rock- make this year a successful I am VERY DISAPPOINTED! understand why some of our tem! solid Democrat, to replace one for Democrats. I just can’t understand why elected leaders refuse to grant So, as always, it all comes Gary Alexander in the 2nd Leg- Let’s go get ’em! Isome elected officials in our teachers the cost of liv- down to you and me. Each of islative District. Results of Thurston County Democrats Survey

By Katrina Wynkoop Simmons, ductive Parity Act with the ning makes fiscal sense. Among environmen- should tell our legislators that Secretary, TCD Board highest “importance” ranking Increasing funding for men- tal issues, “Environmental injured workers deserve fair he Thurston County (4.6 out of 5). Women need tal health for children was Services” can have huge eco- compensation.” Another com- Democrats asked to have access to the full ranked at 4.5, the 5th highest nomic impacts (4.6). Once the ment stressed the need for “What issues should range of reproductive health topic. A priority for Governor environment is degraded, it’s working with industries to pre- we be concerned care choices. Some oppo- Inslee, providing good mental nearly impossible to restore vent further injuries. T nents even threaten access health resources for children is it. One person wrote “I think We also asked people to add about?” at our January meet- ing. The questions covered a to birth control. Comments incredibly cost-effective. When we should take a very active issues that we didn’t ask about. range of topics: economic is- strongly urged people to sup- mental health issues receive role in supporting and promot- Climate change, opposition to sues, environmental concerns port candidates that support attention early in a child’s life, ing Sustainable Thurston. The the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and reproductive rights. reproductive parity at all levels they are much more likely to be county has done an excellent income inequality and support Among all the issues, of government. treated. When children receive job in the Sustainable Thurston for homeless people in our people supported the Repro- Family planning funding treatment, they have a better program to create an environ- communities were mentioned received almost as high a chance at a productive and ment in which Thurston County several times. Some of the Thurston County ranking as reproductive par- health life. can thrive for years to come.” other issues included: Democrats ity – just under 4.6 out of Among the economic Other comments urged that we • Affordable Health Care Act www.thurstondemocrats.org 5. People encouraged us to issues, education funding was subsidize alternative/low car- • Campaign Finance Reform partner with strong reproduc- ranked the most important bon energy systems and enact • Civil Liberties Membership Meetings Fourth Monday of every month tive rights organizations and (<4.6 out of 5). All the com- development taxes that show • COLA for TRS Plan 1 at Thurston County Courthouse urge full funding at the very ments supported full funding the true cost of development. • Endorse current state Bldg. 1, Rm. 152, 7 p.m. least. Funding family planning for the K-12 education as People saw the transpor- gun laws 2013 OFFICERS services is also an economic ordered by the Supreme Court tation investment as both an • I-594 background checks issue: unintended pregnan- in the McCleary decision. Add- economic issue and an envi- for gun purchases Roger Erskine, Chair [email protected] cies cost more than six times ing an income tax and cutting ronmental issue (4.0). As an • Extend Unemployment Insur- Doug Bell, 1st Vice Chair as much as birth control in the corporate tax breaks were the economic issue, supporting ance & SNAP [email protected] first year. Funding family plan- most common suggestions to the transportation investment • Support Sustainable Susan Herring, raise revenue needed to sup- would bring many jobs into Thurston County 2nd Vice Chair Help us build a port funding K-12 education. our state. As an environ- • Increase support for Early [email protected] legacy for kids. Raising the minimum wage mental issue, some said that Childhood Education and Katrina Wynkoop Simmons, ranked next in the economic supporting the transportation fund Parenting Skills Classes Secretary issues (4.5). Comments investment would help increase • Reduce prison population by [email protected] strongly supported a higher pollution and climate change. rehabilitation not jail time A KS R Christine Garst, Treasurer R T A S [email protected] P minimum wage, with many sug- The Puget Sound Part- • Replace gas tax with user

R gesting that it should be set at nership was created by the fees based on miles driven Liberty Ryder, State E C E R R E U A T $15.00 per hour. Even at that Washington State Legisla- • Tax Reform – remedy WS Committee Woman TI L ON CU [email protected] level, several people noted that ture to clean up Puget Sound regressive and unreliable tax Dylan Carlson, State it’s not enough to support a (4.3). We asked if there was system Committee Man decent living. support for the legislature to • Restore the Deschutes Estu- [email protected] Teacher Cost-of-Living continue funding the PSP. Sev- ary Cheryl Selby, Committee Adjustments and public eral comments asked for less • Support the Public Works Member-at-Large [email protected] “I’d never camped before employee pensions received consumerism and more focus Trust Fund Mizanur Rahman, Committee and found that I love solid support (both ranked as on action for environmental Member-at-Large the outdoors, even the 4.4). Comments included a recovery, specific cleanup [email protected] mosquitoes!” request to extend COLA to all and reducing greenhouse gas The Democrat Newsletter PARC FOUNDATION, an state employees and the need emissions. Want your home Published Quarterly: January, all-volunteer non-profit, is for equal pay for equal work. There was support for to sparkle? April, July, October dedicated to ensuring that all The public employee pension retaining the current workers’ Call Robin at children have free access to system is working well and is compensation system (4.0) Dennis Mansker, Editor recreational opportunities, and (360) 570-2044 [email protected] to preserving the vital green not broken. There is no need and opposing SB5127 which Honest & Reliable Marisa Elston, Design spaces of natural surroundings to “fix” it. Funding these issues aims to increase the number in Thurston County. Home Cleaning Service [email protected] should be supported by cutting of lump-sum “structured set- References Available corporate tax breaks and an tlement” buyouts of workers’ To plan your advertising, email: Join us: 360.352.0980 income tax. compensation claims. “We [email protected] www.parcfoundation.org February 2014 THE DEMOCRAT 3 Ted Cruz: The Most Dangerous Man in America By Dennis Mansker Ted himself was born who believes that his son Editor, The Democrat in Alberta, Canada, to his is The Annointed One. e’s a kind of biz- Cuban-born father and Ted doesn’t like to talk zaro-world anti- American-born mother, about it, but at his core Obama, a knight which gives him citizen- he believes that this is – in shining armor ship in two countries – or or ought to be again – a H is it three countries? When Christian Nation, that our leading the Republican cru- sade against the forces of this was pointed out to laws should be based on darkness, represented by Cruz, he made a big deal Biblical precepts, and that the Democratic Party. of saying that he would the only purpose of gov- Two years ago, who had renounce his Canadian ernment is to apply those even heard of Ted Cruz? citizenship. laws for the “betterment” In a party that’s not Which of course has not of the right (Christian) peo- known to be especially happened yet. But he says ple and the suppression welcoming to Latinos, he’s “working on it”. of all non-Christians. Think Cruz has leapt into national We already think we about a Christian version prominence after becom- know a lot about Ted Cruz: of Shariah Law and you’ll ing the first Hispanic to He’s a Tea Party darling, be on the money. hold high office in Texas. he likes to blame the Dem- By the way, for those who That’s probably because ocrats for everything – his are not up on those “Biblical latest is that the Demo- Laws”, they include, among Ted Cruz -- he’s about this twisted in real life, too. he’s one of the “good” His- Original photo by Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com panics, i.e., Cuban and not crats were responsible for other things, the death “Mexican”. the government shutdown penalty for LGBT people, With his faux-earnest a self-destruct timer, but He comes armed with – and that he’s evidently the burning of witches face and his carefully con- they still have the ability to a carefully-constructed not really a resident of the and the stoning of adulter- structed biography, Ted raise mountains of money personal narrative that reality-based community. ers. (Except for their own Cruz seems ready made and push their candidate it is intended to be com- What isn’t so much adulterers – the Religious for Republican presidential forward. pelling. His father was known about Ted Cruz Right seems to have a big aspirations. Right now he’s Ted Cruz may not be born in Cuba, and while is that he is a closet blind spot when it comes probably their front-runner the most dangerous man the Republican Party is Dominionist, a “Christian to that.) And there’s usu- in next year’s election in America right now, but disingenuously trying to Reconstructionist” whose ally no mention of some of sweepstakes. if it turns out that he is portray him as an early vic- father renounced his the lesser-known religious Regardless of who the the Republican candidate, tim of Castro, the truth is Catholic faith to become crimes, such as eating Democratic nominee is, then, once again, we will that he left Cuba in 1957, a rabid right-wing Bible- shellfish and wearing cloth- he – or she – will have face the most important long before Castro came thumping theocratic ing of different kinds of an uphill slog ahead. The election of our lives. to power. fundamentalist preacher cloth. Republicans may be on Discrimination – We’re Against It. Unless…

By Dennis Mansker eran status, disability or laws against interracial also provides that the pro- covered under federal Editor, The Democrat . marriage, to the denial of posed changes to the law laws except for sexual ori- do not apply to the “denial . enate Bill 6927 The proposed bill would voting rights for minori- entation of services to individuals It’s an underhanded – It’s been lurk- amend that to allow an ties, even to slavery. All of back-door attempt to ing silently in the allow businesses to dis- legislature since S It’s an underhanded back-door attempt to allow businesses criminate against the early last year under its LGBT community, and it innocuous-sounding title, to discriminate against the LGBT community, and it should should have no place in “An Act relating to the right this state’s laws. to engage in commerce have no place in this state’s laws. It’s been languishing free from discrimination”. in committee since early Sounds good, doesn’t it? recognized as a protected last session. As of now, Who could disagree with individual or a business to these were based, in whole class under federal law no hearings have been that? Everyone wants to deny goods or services to or in part, on “sincerely applicable to the state as scheduled, and it’s likely be free from discrimina- anyone if providing them held religious beliefs, of the effective date” of that it will die a well- tion, don’t they? would go against that indi- philosophical beliefs, or the change. deserved death before But, as the old saying vidual or business owner’s matters of conscience”. Aside from the glar- seeing the light of day. has it, the devil is in the “sincerely held religious Surely that can’t be ing omission of “goods” But if by chance it does details. beliefs, philosophical what the sponsors had it in that statement – only come to a vote in the RCE 49.60.030, the beliefs, or matters of con- mind, can it? “services” are identified legislature, be sure to state’s anti-discrimination science”. Maybe – they are – a minute’s reflection let your representatives law, is pretty clear that On its face, this is pretty Republicans after all – will reveal that of the know that you are against discrimination is illegal if stunning. It would appear but they left themselves all classes identified in exist- it and you want them to it is based on race, color, to allow us to return to a trap door. It turns out ing state law are also vote it down. creed, religion, sex, vet- the era of Jim Crow, to that the wording of this bill

Yard signs T-shirts Field signs Magnetics Sweatshirt Cover up stickers Wishing everyone Banners Static clings Quantity discounts the best for Wood stakes Bumper stickers Reorder Discounts Metal stakes Rider Signs Free delivery* *on our schedule 2014! 4 THE DEMOCRAT February 2014 The Legacy of Great Democrats By Katrina Wynkoop Simmons, Secretary, TCD Board everal notable Democrats have made contributions that have changed our world. Governor , Warren Bishop, Sam Garst, Rosalie SGiddings and Margie Reeves all affected the people in Washington State and institutions in which they worked. assistant in 1956, he began large scale solar installations three branches of government. his influential career in state financed by community mem- She knew the intricacies of the government. bers. rules, policies and practices While working in the gov- Sam and Chris’ home, the for over 30 years. ernor’s office, Bishop was Zelonedom, was Thurston Rosalie also worked as a appointed as the state’s first County’s first carbon neutral volunteer fundraiser for at Budge Director after the legis- home, which includes solar pan- least of dozen service and lature passed the Budget and els, rain gardens and beautiful charity organizations including Accounting Act in 1959. This landscaping fed by their roof the YWCA, Safe Place, Food act moved budget preparation which diverted storm water Banks, Washington State Lung responsibility from individual from the sewer system. “Sam Association, Humane Society agencies to the newly cre- embraced technology. When and the Salvation Army. In ated Central Budget Agency. asked about the solar panels 1983 Rosalie was bestowed Governor Booth Gardner Margie Reeves on his roof, Sam whipped out Booth Gardner his smartphone with an app live and learn, and that families for monitoring electricity pro- have the training and assis- Booth Gardner began his duced by the panels. While tance they need to raise their career oriented to business, he was talking, up would pop children. with an MBA from Harvard the solar panel manufacturer’s Margie served statewide as University and as Director of website. Ask him about his and a member of the Governor’s the University of Puget Sound Chris’ electric cars and you’d Task Force on Child Care and School of Business Administra- prompt a new app to display the Children’s Budget Coalition tion and Economics. His call with another terrific report. and was State Advocacy chair to public service led him into His objective was to generate for Public Health and Safety political life as a state senator enough energy at their home Networks. She was a found- and Pierce County Executive. ing member of the statewide “During two terms as Gover- Warren Bishop Rosalie Gittings Child Care Resource and Refer- nor from 1985-1993, Booth ral Network, the Children’s focused on education, the Bishop introduced publications the honor of Thurston County Alliance, the Washington Asso- environment, health care and to let the public see where Citizen of the Year, for her fund- ciation for the Education of social services. He supported money came in and where it raising and volunteer activities Young Children, the Child Care rights of gay state workers and was spent -- that explained in the community. In 1990, Coordinating Committee, and the advancement of women.” “Here’s your budget and here’s Governor Booth Gardner and the Early Learning Action Alli- Among his legacies, sev- how you understand it.” the Board of Trustees of The ance. eral stand out. The Growth Bishop introduced Evergreen State College offi- Margie’s accomplishments Management Act helped pro- statements of policy and cially proclaimed the college’s are many, including being rec- tect the environment & natural descriptions of programs into labor studies center as The ognized as the second Head Rosalie Gittings Labor Edu- beauty during rapid growth the formal budget process. Start Director in Thurston, cation and Research Center. periods. The Basic Health Plan Under his leadership, budget Mason, and Lewis counties, Sam Garst This honor was fostered by made critical health care avail- requests had to be tied to a founder of the Child Care Rosalie’s very strong passion able to the working poor well program goals and perfor- Action Council, a founding of “everyones’ right to dignity in advance of the Affordable mance. A system of quarterly to power both their Leaf and member of the Thurston Early on the job”. Care Act. Many education poli- allotments meant that Depart- their plug-in Prius.” Childhood Coalition, and the After retirement, Rosalie cies supported Washington’s ments had to manage their statewide Chair of Children and vibrant economy by helping to funds quarter by quarter Rosalie Gittings began a new life: In 1991 Rosalie and her longtime Family Issues for the League prepare a workforce ready for instead of having a free hand Rosealie Gittings made friend Wanda Riley, both mem- of Women Voters. Governor jobs that required new technol- over the whole biennium. War- her mark for all of us in the bers of Washington Federation recently rec- ogy skills. ren Bishop helped change the State of Washington. Rosalie of State Employees, drove a ognized and honored Margie In 1994, retiring from direction of fiscal responsibility worked for the International 1981 Ford ambulance from for her longstanding advocacy public service after serving in Washington State govern- Woodworkers Union in Olym- Tacoma to Washington D.C., and support of early learn- as ambassador to the Gen- ment that continues to day in pia from 1954 until 1960. 4,650 miles, stopping in 23 ing, children’s education, and eral Agreement on Tariff and the present Office of Financial She then worked in the cam- towns and cities along the family support. In 2006, she Trade, Booth was diagnosed Management. paign to elect way, to bring an awareness to was honored by award of the with Parkinson’s disease. He for Governor, and then for the universal healthcare. Again, Gladys Burns Human Services continued public service by Sam Garst Washington State Democratic in 1994, ’s Award, recognizing her as an advocating for better treat- Sam Garst left an indelible Central Committee. She healthcare bus was another of advocate for young children. ments and research for a cure mark in Thurston County for his attended the 1960 National Rosalie’s adventures. Depart- Well into her 80s, Margie Democratic Convention in Los for Parkinson’s disease and work as the top signature gath- ing from Portland, OR , her bus was a fixture “on the hill”--meet- Angeles that nominated John for the citizens’ initiative of the erer for Initiative 937. Initiative converged with 15 other buses ing with legislators, testifying F. Kennedy for President. In Washington Death with Dignity 937, passed in 2006, requires from various points around at hearings, attending coalition 1965, she worked as admin- Act in 2008. the state’s larger utilities to the country, again bringing an meetings, fighting for the best istrative assistant to Justice boost their supply of renewal awareness to the right of all interests of children and their Hugh Rosellini at the Washing- Warren Bishop energy 15% by 2020. He also Americans to affordable health families. At the same time, ton State Supreme Court. For Following service in World organized a group of 95 citizen care. she continued to organize the several years she worked as War II, Warren Bishop taught community around prevention volunteers in Thurston County Assistant Chief Clerk for the Margie Reeves issues, supporting the Commu- high school history before he who secured more than 17,000 House of Representatives and entered graduate school in signatures in support of the ini- Docket Clerk in the Washington Margie Reeves’ passion was nity Network, the mental health political science at the Univer- tiative. State Senate. In 1984, Rosalie early childhood. She dedicated and prevention tax initiative, sity of Washington. He worked Sam also took an important became part of Governor Elect more than 60 years advocat- and the family support center. with communities to help them role in orchestrating financing Booth Gardner’s transition ing on behalf of children and Margie’s legacy lives on in the incorporate and establish for the Olympia Farmers Mar- team, and worked as the Exec- families across Washington many ways our communities municipal governments and ket Community 37kw Solar utive Assistant to Governor State. She worked tirelessly support the health and wellbe- development policies. When installation, one of a handful of Gardner until her retirement to assure that children have ing of our children. Governor Rosellini offered Washington State’s successful in 1990. Rosalie was one of early and sustainable access him the position of executive only a few who worked for all to safe and nurturing places to February 2014 THE DEMOCRAT 5 The Minimum Wage – Facts and Fantasy By Dennis Mansker with inflation, it ought to cost To add an unhealthy dose Editor, The Democrat only $2.21. of gasoline to this fire, a Wash- ington state representative, he minimum wage – A brand new Chevrolet Liz Pike (need I add that she is it’s become a political Impala in 1963 would set football, kicked back you back around $2800, a Republican?) has introduced and forth between depending on options. The in this session HB 2614, T inflation calculator says that which, under the disguise of those who think people ought to be paid a living wage for $2800 in 1963 would buy establishing a “training wage”, what they do and those who $21,316 worth of stuff now. would allow employers to pay think that it cuts into the bot- But in 2014 you’d expect to substantially less than the tom line, forces businesses to pay about $27,000 for a new minimum wage – 75% of the close and destroys jobs. Chevy. state minimum wage, which Figuring the whole thing A downtown studio apart- would come out to $6.99 per out is hard. Really hard. Which ment in 1963 cost about $35. hour, or the federal minimum is why no one really wants to Calculating for inflation, today wage, whichever is higher. do it – it’s easier to double you’d expect to spend around Workers could toil away for down on your preconceptions $265, but just try to find one up to 680 hours at this “train- than it is to examine them in for less than $600. ing wage” – that’s 17 weeks the harsh light of reality. Both That 15-cent McDonald’s at full-time work, a lot more at sides tend to throw around a hamburger? It ought to cost part time – until their wages lot of numbers, but what do $1.14, but even it is up to could rise just to the minimum they mean? $1.25. wage. But there is nothing in In 1963 the federal mini- Obviously there are some this bill that guarantees that mum wage went up from anomalies here. The generic those training wage workers $1.15 to $1.25 per hour. I calculations evidently don’t will be retained after that 680 was working part time at take into account some goods hours has gone by. Nothing Montgomery Wards, I had my and services that are out of could stop employers from own studio apartment and I the norm, nor do they take in laying off their training wage had enough money to buy a geographical location. Rents workers and hiring new work- ten-year old Mercury. McDon- and housing, for example, are ers to do the same work at ald’s hamburgers were only higher in urban areas, starkly the training wage. 15 cents. Not all minimum wage workers are first-job teenagers. higher here in Olympia. The US Chamber of Com- According to the inflation Even Henry Ford, for all of merce and their Republican calculator on the US Depart- minimum wage of $9.32, and example, a gallon of gas cost his other problems, recog- Party lackeys are at the ment of Labor website, that way over the federal minimum 29 cents in 1963. That same nized that if he did not pay his forefront in peddling the $1.25 has the same purchas- wage of $7.25 per hour. gallon today will run you about workers enough to buy one of canard that raising the mini- ing power as $9.52 does now. Inflation comparisons can $3.30 in Thurston County. If the cars he was making, his mum wage will cost jobs. That’s a bit over Washington’s be a tricky business. For gasoline had just kept pace enterprise would crash and Nonsense. I worked in Unem- burn. That’s why he doubled ployment Insurance for 30 the wages of the people who years, during which time the were building his cars. This minimum wage went up nine was astonishing for the time, times, and not one time did I and today we tend to lose ever meet or even hear of a sight of the impetus behind it. person who became unem- Today’s businessman, insu- ployed because the minimum lated from economic reality wage was raised. by things like the propaganda We live in an economic arm of the US Chamber of system that is based almost Commerce and the nattering entirely on consumption, so nabobs at Fox News, believes any attempts to keep people that keeping wages as low as working below a wage with possible is a good economic sufficient purchasing power move, since that will help the to buy even the basics are bottom line. Nothing could be ultimately going to fail; they further from the truth. You are going to be destructive have to be able to sell the to our society. I don’t know goods and services you pro- why this simple fact, it’s Eco- duce if you are going to stay nomics 101 really, is invisible in business. If the people who to business owners and the buy those goods and services Republican right wing. But it cannot afford to purchase is. them, you are not going to People need to be paid a sell them and you will go out living wage. That’s the bottom of business eventually. line. We lose sight of that to our everlasting peril. 6 THE DEMOCRAT February 2014 Nullification: The Tea Party’s Latest Attempt to Thwart Democracy By Dennis Mansker got something new waiting voter fraud, a few cases Editor, The Democrat in the wings: A Constitu- of fake bipartisanship with ullification – it has tional Convention. Blue Dog Democrats, and a kind of catchy Our constitution provides the magic threshold of 38 retro sound to it two ways that it can be states will be crossed. and it’s the latest amended: A constitutional And when that happens, N amendment passed by con- it’ll be complete chaos. A in a long string of Tea Party attempts to subvert our gress which then has to constitutional convention government. be ratified by three-fourths will mean that the entire It is a concept as old as of the legislatures of the constitution will be up for the republic that basically states, or by a national grabs. It doesn’t take a holds that states have the constitutional convention. rocket surgeon to know right to invalidate any fed- That’s the ultimate fallback that the winners will be the eral law they don’t like. It’s position of the Teabaggers. ones who are most orga- a classic example of the old Such a convention can be nized, most prepared, and, “I don’t want to play by your called by the same num- thanks to the limitless lar- rules so I’m going to take ber of states that have to gess of the Koch Brothers, the ball and go home” petu- ratify an amendment. What the best financed. Welcome lance that is more at home this means is that only to our Tea Party. Please in a schoolyard than in the 38 states have to sign on check your freedoms at the halls of politics. before a call for convention. door and be sure to wear Historically it’s been Currently Republicans your sidearms. tried any number of times, control 24 states (i.e., they According to my math, always with the same have Republican governors as few as 12% of the Ameri- result. and Republican majorities can populace can have the The Supreme Court has in both legislative cham- rest of us at their mercy. consistently held that the around with that arrogant Care Act (aka Obamacare) bers). A few shifts in the If I am sounding like an states are subordinate to you-can’t-tell-me-what-to- by several Republican-held electorate, a few more alarmist, that’s because I the US Constitution and do/you’re-not-the-boss-of states. stolen elections, a few am alarmed. You should be do not have the right to me attitude like the bunch Of course it’s going more cases of Republican too. unilaterally nullify any fed- of schoolyard bullies they nowhere. It’s really not eral law. In 1854 Wisconsin are. intended to go anywhere. attempted to nullify the In fact, court decisions It’s a rallying cry for the Tea Contact Your Fugitive Slave Act. The against nullification were Party to raise money and Supreme Court said No. In among the factors that led get support for their real the 1950s several southern to the Civil War – if south- agenda: Returning politi- Representatives states attempted to nullify ern states couldn’t just cal power to the Old White federal civil rights legisla- nullify the laws they didn’t Guys on the right who are US Senate 35th District tion. The Supreme Court like, they’d just secede. fighting against the upsurge Patty Murray (D) Senator Tim Sheldon (D) said No. But a bad idea can have of women, minorities, gays murray.senate.gov leg.wa.gov/senate/senators/ But, like most of the stuff more momentum than a and Lesbians – people who Telephone: Pages/sheldon.aspx they come up with, real- good idea. The latest incar- are “not our kind” of people. Washington DC: 202-224- Telephone: 360-786-7668 ity has nothing to do with nation of it is an attempt When the current fad for 2621 Rep Kathy Haigh (D) it. Now they are strutting to nullify the Affordable nullification wanes, they’ve Tacoma Field Office: leg.wa.gov/house/representa- 253-572-3636 tives/Pages/haigh.aspx (D) Telephone: 360-786-7966 cantwell.senate.gov Rep Drew MacEwen (R) Telephone: leg.wa.gov/house/representa- Washington DC: 202-224- tives/Pages/macewen.aspx 3441 Telephone: 360-786-7902 Tacoma Field Office: 253-572-2281 20th District Senator John Braun (R) US House of leg.wa.gov/senate/senators/ Representatives Pages/braun.aspx Denny Heck (D) Telephone: 360-786-7638 designed with dennyheck.house.gov Rep Richard DeBolt (R) A Green Ethic Telephone: leg.wa.gov/house/representa- Washington DC: 202-225- tives/Pages/debolt.aspx 9740 Telephone: 360-786-7896 Lacey District Office: Rep Ed Orcutt (R) Shur-Kleen Car Wash would like to thank 360-459-8514 leg.wa.gov/house/representa- the Thurston County Democrats for all the tives/Pages/orcutt.aspx Washington State Telephone: 360-786-7990 wonderful work they do in our community. 22nd District Senator Karen Frasier (D) 2nd District Senator Randi Becker (R) Fleet Discounts. leg.wa.gov/senate/senators/ leg.wa.gov/senate/senators/ VIP & Gift Prepaid Cards. Pages/fraser.aspx Telephone: 360-786-7642 Pages/becker.aspx Telephone: 360-786-7602 Rep Chris Reykdahl (D) Graham Hunt (R) Pssst! We were the  rst GREEN car wash in the community. We’re even better today! leg.wa.gov/house/representa- tives/Pages/reykdal.aspx leg.wa.gov/House/Represen- LAKEWOOD JBLM OLYMPIA LACEY BREMERTON Telephone: 360-786-7940 tatives/Pages/HuntG.aspx 11621 Bridgeport Way Bldg 2205, 14th & Liggett 1616 Harrison Ave 4240 Paci‚ c Ave 3311 Kitsap Way Telephone: 360-786-7824 Rep Sam Hunt (D) Lakewood WA Ft. Lewis WA Olympia WA Lacey WA Bremerton WA Rep J.T. Wilcox (R) leg.wa.gov/House/Represen- 98499 98433 98502 98503 98312 leg.wa.gov/house/representa- 253.584.2133 253.964.5252 360.352.2484 360.491.5151 360.792.1696 tatives/Pages/HuntS.aspx Telephone: 360-786-7992 tives/Pages/wilcox.aspx Telephone: 360-786-7912 February 2014 THE DEMOCRAT 7 The Anti-Democrat Strikes Again – This Time It’s Extortion

By Dennis Mansker Now he’s filed a new one, Ini- unconstitutional by the state penny. Nothing to get our pant- Grover Norquist strategy. After Editor, The Democrat tiative 1325, another back door supreme court. ies in a bunch over, right? all, he’s the one who infamously attempt to subvert majority rule. Never one to take his kicks Wrong. said he wanted to shrink govern- here’s an adage that This one would, if passed by the lying down, our favorite Mukilteo Unfortunately, since we do ment to a size where he “could holds that you can’t voters, require the legislature to watch salesman/annoying politi- not have an income tax in this drag it into the bathtub and keep a good man down. hold a referendum to enshrine cal gadfly has bounced back state, almost all of our operat- drown it”. Apparently it holds true T a two-thirds majority require- with same idea but with a new ing revenue comes from the So, if you are approached by for bad guys as well. ment for all tax increases – into twist. This time if the legislature sales tax. Yes, it might be “just” one of Tim Eyman’s minions to Just when you thought we, our constitution. You will recall doesn’t act with all deliberate a penny, but add it all up – or sign this travesty, please do not the voters of this state, have that this two-thirds supermajor- speed, the state sales tax will rather subtract it all out – and do it. had just about enough of Tim ity requirement was passed by automatically revert from 6.5 to it would mean about one billion One thing I found effective Eyman – last years’ overwhelm- the voters after another Eyman 5.5 percent. (yes, that’s “billion” with a “b”) last time they were pushing for ing defeat of his latest initiative initiative speedballed it onto the Doesn’t sound like such a big dollars in lost revenue for the this so-called supermajority is handed him his lunch on a silver ballot but it was later held to be deal, does it? After all, it’s only a state. Each year. to ask them, in all innocence, platter – he’s baaaaack! It’s probably just me, but I “So you don’t believe in democ- thought taking political hostages racy?” went out with the Republican “Hunh?” was the usual “Protect” Us from Shariah Law budget defeat in Washington response. DC. With this latest maneuver “You know, the concept of Continued from page 1 the fact that there already like constituents as well as Tim Eyman is attempting to take ‘one-man-one-vote’? Majority exist well-established con- their corporate rightwing neo- insisting that Shariah Law the entire state of Washington rule? You know, democracy?” stitutional protections fascist overlords. is a problem for the United hostage. I’ve watched enough At that point you’ll either get against any religion “taking Maybe it’s that they just of to know extor- the vacant stares of glassy- States. The Sopranos over the courts”, the APPA don’t know the Islamophobic tion when I see it: “Nice state ya eyed Moonies selling flowers in The actual source of is still zealous in insist- bigotry behind this legislation. got here…be a shame if sumpin’ the 1970s (remember them?), funding for APPA is fairly ing that we be “protected” Or maybe they just don’t were to happen to it, now wud- or you’ll get a glimmer of sud- shadowy but it would not against this threat. care. dennit?” den enlightenment, almost like surprise anyone to learn With all of the real prob- If SB 6118 comes to A constitutional amendment? in the comics where a light bulb that the nefarious Koch lems facing the citizens of a vote in the legislature, That’s like going after a gnat comes on over someone’s head. Brothers are behind it. this state, it’s kind of hard please encourage your rep- with a cleaver. It’s not like the I really don’t know how many I Regardless, despite what to see this as anything but resentatives to vote against legislature has gone tax happy converted. Probably none – they they claim on their website, a cynical ploy on the part of it. We don’t need to enshrine crazy in the last couple of years. were being paid for collecting there is absolutely zero these senators, nestled as anti-Muslim bigotry in our No, what is behind this is what those signatures after all – but evidence for “Shariah law they are deep in the pockets laws, regardless of how is behind pretty much every it made me feel better. And who principles … increasingly Republican idea for the last 20 knows, maybe I planted a seed of the extreme right, to score cleverly, how cunningly, it is finding their way into US years: Starve the beast. It’s of independent thought, a seed some points with their sheep- worded. court cases”, and despite another angle in the traditional of, dare I say it, democracy in their Eyman-enfeebled brains.

at the Capital Event Center 6005 Tyee Dr SW, Tumwater

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Ticket price $65 BEFORE MAY 2. $75 after May 2 and at the door. Register and Pay Online at: www.thurstondemocrats.org/events Mail check: TCD, PO Box 164, Olympia WA 98507-0164. TCD MEMBERSHIP CAN BE PAID WITH TICKETS 8 THE DEMOCRAT February 2014 Black History Month – Dispelling Some Rightwing Myths By Dennis Mansker first Republican president, did steadfastly opposed to Civil Easy. They became Repub- equal rights for Black citizens. Editor, The Democrat issue the famous Emancipa- Rights? Fair enough observa- licans. Especially the right to vote. n ongoing meme of tion Proclamation in January tion and the facts do bear it Strom Thurmond promi- Coincident with all of this, a the Republican Party 1863, at the height of the Civil out. South Carolina’s Strom nently and permanently left massive shift, upwards of 90%, goes something like War. But how many slaves did Thurmond temporarily bolted the Democratic Party after – of Black voters went over to this: Why are Black it actually free? from the Democratic Party in and because of – passage of the Democratic Party. A The answer may surprise 1948 over a Civil Rights plank the Civil Rights Act in 1964. The Southern Strategy was people so overwhelmingly on the side of the Democrats? Af- you: Approximately zero. in the Democratic Party plat- He was followed shortly there- a strategy that worked, and it The only slaves affected by form and ran for president on after, following the passage of is still working. You don’t have ter all, wasn’t it the Republican President Lincoln who freed it were specifically those in the the so-called States Rights the Voting Rights Act in 1965, to look very hard to find some states that were currently in Democratic (aka the “Dixie- by Jesse Helms, Trent Lott and sophisticated shenanigans at the slaves, and the Democrats who stood in the way of Civil rebellion, i.e., the Confederacy. crat”) party. North Carolina’s many lesser-known lights of work in the Deep South that Rights legislation? Since the Confederacy was Jesse Helms was, like Thur- the Republican Party. continue to disenfranchise Go to pretty much any right- no longer part of the United mond, also a long-term senator Remember Richard Nixon’s minority voters. wing website and you will see States – that was what the war in the Democratic Party who “Southern Strategy”? It was a Because of that massive this opinion popping up time was about, after all – the order also opposed Civil Rights. painted-over but not-so-subtle shift to the Democratic Party, after time. But how accurate had no effect on them. And There were many more of their appeal to base white-suprem- Republicans really don’t want is it? states that were not part of ilk and it’s easy to point to them acy racism, intended to carve Blacks to vote. It turns out that, like any- the Confederacy, that were still as diehard racist Democrats out votes for the Republi- Am I saying that all Republi- thing that can be reduced to in the Union but who still had and white supremacists. But can Party from disaffected cans are racist? No, of course a phrase that would fit on a slavery (Maryland, Kentucky, it kind of begs the question: White southerners who were not. But pretty much all racists bumper sticker, it’s way more Delaware, Missouri), were not What happened to them all? opposed to Civil Rights and to are Republicans. complicated than that. covered by it. Did Lincoln free the slaves? Okay, so what about all Well, Abraham Lincoln, the those Democrats who were Advertising Internship Advertise in the Thurston County Democrat! This position is critical to Skills important to this ment to meet publication TCD’s support of outstanding position include: exceptional deadlines. We provide a terrific Each issue of the democrat is mailed to nearly 10,000 subscrib- Democrat candidates and our relationship skills; ability to professional communication ing households in greater Thurston County, and distribute 4,000 popular newspaper. We have communicate with a broad team and great graphic design copies to places where people enjoy reading. The Democrat is a list of past and potential business interest base; ability services to support the Adver- read by more than 25,000 individuals.The readers of the democrat advertisers, good sales aid to effectively communicate tising Intern. To discuss this are a diverse, educated, intelligent, dedicated and socially active materials, a great reputation, with advertising sales clients; internship, please send your people who are deeply involved with their local communities and and the best advertising rates creative writing skills of adver- inquiry to Katrina Wynkoop local governments. Our subscribers strongly believe in supporting in the region. tising copy; basic computer Simmons at katrina@thurston- and buying from locally owned businesses. skills; and a strong commit- democrats.org.

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