Like many of you, I voted this week. And will be glad when this is over.
Of course, I hope my choices win, but my life doesn’t depend on the outcome of this or any election. I refuse to give into that kind of power.
But there is a lot at stake.
I voted “yes” on all our state initiatives. Why? Because nothing I’ve seen suggests the state (or federal government) deserve a dime more than they have at the moment. Nationally, we just keep giving printed (and borrowed) money away, causing inflation and angst for people who have to live with their foolish spending habits and pay for it.
Initiative 2124 focuses on a mandatory tax for long-term care. I have someone in long-term care who has been in that position for a long time — years. It is expensive, but I want the choice to decide the best way to prepare for this eventuality. The government has only proven it is incapable of managing anything well, and this won’t be any different. I understand they say the administration of this program will be 8% to 10%, but as we know, that's very likely not the case. It's always more expensive than they say.
The left demands “choice” but only when it comes to abortion. I want a choice here, too, so I voted yes.
Initiative 2117 focuses on carbon taxes for climate control. Based on the “models” we’ve been subjected to for years, the world should have ended long ago. Meanwhile, climate moguls like Al Gore and John Kerry fly the world in private jets to climate conferences to demand the rest of us pay more while getting rich. This was only going to cost pennies, Gov. Jay Inslee said, and it cost a lot more than that. It’s an easy “yes” vote for me. Repeal the Climate Commitment Act.
Initiative 2109 would repeal the excise tax. Another easy “yes” for me. The state has plenty of money, and more taxes beyond a very specific and actual government responsibility with actual proof of need is crazy. Oh, they say only the rich pay — but that's never the case. We always do. Yes on this one.
This is also why I am supporting the 911 tax here in Lewis County. It is a very specific need for a service we all may need. It’s not enough to just have it. The 911 center is a pressure cooker, busy all the time. The people in there need good equipment and technology and so do the emergency responders out here who serve us. Yes on 911.
I don’t see any reason to change commissioners right now. I know the Republicans are mad at Commissioner Lindsey Pollock, and I wish she hadn’t lumped people like me in her comments after a drag show in Chehalis where white supremacists showed up. But her work seems thoughtful and rational. The other candidate is likely a fine person, too, but as we’ve read, the county faces difficult decisions, and I see no reason to lose Pollock’s experience right now.
Commissioner Sean Swope, too, has made comments some (not me) have concluded make him unsuitable, but he seems to have his priorities right. And again, there are serious decisions that need to be made, and experience matters right now. I voted for Swope.
Nationally, and in Washington, abortion and “hate Trump” lead the way as the primary reason to support Democrats. Neither are reasons for me. In fact, if all you offer is a culture of death (abortion) and hate, you’ve lost me. As a result, I chose no Democrats at any level this year. But, to be honest, I haven’t for a long time.
Bob Ferguson’s ads yell that if Dave Reichert wins, he’d support a ban on abortion. That's it. I saw Dave Reichert actually say that, as governor, he doesn’t and he can’t (although I wish he could). Ferguson is, has been and will always be just another big spender who just now suddenly supports law enforcement and wants more of them.
What a guy. He’s like too many politicians — part of the problem he says he can solve but won’t. I voted for Reichert.
I am not delusional (mostly) and I expect Ferguson will win, so I also expect more of the same: high costs of gas, taxes, expensive climate spending, fewer choices and policies making us more like California every day.
Oh, I almost forgot — I voted for Joe Kent and Donald Trump. This was a close one, but crime, inflation and secure borders just barely won out over the insane ideas of men in women’s sports and feminine products in boys bathrooms.
Actually, it wasn’t close at all.
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John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.
