Slog - Comments on Use It or Lose It http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/use_it_or_lose_it The conventional wisdom that bipartisanship is the watchword of the day is misleading local Democrats—and making them scared to "overreach" and alientate mainstream voters. However, overreach only happens when you don't have a mandate, but arrogantly govern as if you do. That was George Bush's mistake. Locally, the Democrats scored a bona fide mandate this year: All the conservative initiatives, like the pseudo populist, blustery takings Initiative 933 and Frank Blethen's estate-tax repeal, got walloped; the progressive renewable-energy initiative passed; local Democrats on the surburban Eastside won by fat margins (hello Roger Goodman!); and GOP frat guy Mike McGavick couldn't... Copyright 2008 Thu, 04 Jan 2007 13:58:04 -0800 Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:22:00 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by monkey Amen, Kos! I'm glad someone said it.

]]> monkey http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/use_it_or_lose_it#c582703 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/use_it_or_lose_it#c582703 Politics Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:12:39 -0800 Comment by BC No. Overreach happens when you assume that the opinions of the people that didn't vote for you don't count, just because they are the minority.

"Mandate" is a dirty word, no matter who is using it. Unless your support was unanimous, you don't have one.

]]> BC http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/use_it_or_lose_it#c582731 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/use_it_or_lose_it#c582731 Politics Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:48:23 -0800 Comment by Original Andrew Did you see this:

http://www.komoradio.com/news/local/5083641.html

"The question of allowing - or banning - gay marriage or authorizing civil unions also will take a backseat as lawmakers try to come up with legislation that can clear both houses, leaders said."

WHAT THE FUCK? Clear both houses? THE DEMS HAVE SUPER-MAJORITIES IN BOTH AND THE GOV'S OFFICE.

Oh, for fuck's sake.

What the hell is wrong with them?

]]> Original Andrew http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/use_it_or_lose_it#c582762 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/use_it_or_lose_it#c582762 Politics Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:10:14 -0800 Comment by keshmeshi Unfortunately, not all Dems think alike or represent safe districts. Ergo, not all Democratic legislation can easily pass the legislature.

]]> keshmeshi http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/use_it_or_lose_it#c582780 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/use_it_or_lose_it#c582780 Politics Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:33:15 -0800 Comment by Original Andrew Safe districts?

That means that it's more important for them to keep their own jobs than to do the right thing. It's such a pathetic cop out. And that's sure as hell not how most Rethuglicans operate.

I'm so sick of donating money and voting for do-nothing-Dems who jump at their own shadows and are too afraid to stand up for, or just don't give a damn about equal rights.

The fact that we can't get marriage or civil unions passed in Washington, the bluest of the blue states, is truly pathetic and symptomatic of a leadership vacuum.

]]> Original Andrew http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/use_it_or_lose_it#c582828 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/01/use_it_or_lose_it#c582828 Politics Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:22:00 -0800