These Opinions I am sharing are just my share of thought from my mind. They may or may not move to policy. As I learn and gain more expertise and information, my opinions, I’m sure, will be modified and refined.
Campaign Reform
Campaigns have become too dependent on money. Politicians hire paid lobbyists because they provide a voice for specific interests. Elected officials obviously can’t accept money in exchange for a vote, but when a lobbyist donates money and then pushes for a vote on a specific issue, the public has every reason to question the system. It may not violate the law, but let’s be honest about how it looks.
Everyday citizens can lobby too, but they often get, at best, a form letter or a few minutes of a legislator’s time. A paid lobbyist usually gets a better audience.
Most citizens don’t enjoy political ads, yard signs, door knocking, phone calls, mailers, or campaign emails. With email, at least people can read the subject line, delete it, or mark it as spam. But the rest of it consumes time and money.
I would favor banning most of these campaign methods. Each candidate could receive a public website for campaign information and space in the voters’ guide. Candidates could also still speak publicly, appear on talk shows, attend forums, march in parades, and stand in their districts with personal banners.
Think about the possible benefits. Less waste material in landfills. Fewer phone calls during dinner. Fewer knocks at the door. Less campaign money wasted on advertising. More room for regular people to run for office, not just candidates who can raise large sums of money.
This would be a major shift, but it’s worth discussing. Let’s find out how far we can take the proposal.
Data Centers.
Data centers are part of the future. They are necessary for progress, but they also create real challenges for energy, land use, infrastructure, and local communities. Washington needs a detailed plan that considers all stakeholders before these projects expand.
Most Washingtonians know that data centers require enormous amounts of power, but many aren’t aware that some Dam facilities are being removed to expand salmon habitat. That may affect power supply and increase costs for data centers and consumers. Wind and solar help, but they have limits. New nuclear facilities face strong public resistance, and high-voltage transmission lines also create opposition because most people don’t want them near their homes.
Yes, we need data centers, but we need a serious plan before we commit to projects that could reshape energy costs and land use for local communities.
Super Market, Big Box Theft
Cities need to prosecute misdemeanor crimes, especially when repeat offenders are involved. Retail theft hurts businesses, employees, and customers.
Stores could also consider a version of the ‘Costco’ membership model. Customers would use a card to enter, and stores would have a record of who’s coming in and out. Many grocery stores already check receipts at the exit. A membership or entry-card model could help reduce theft and give stores a better way to track repeat offenders.
Resource Officers
The decision to place resource officers in schools should be made locally. Some argue that officers create stress for students in certain communities. That concern should be taken seriously, but it should also be understood in context.
For many people, their first interaction with police is frightening. It may happen at a party, at a park, during a traffic stop, after a parking ticket, or during a demonstration. If young people only see police during moments of conflict, they may grow up associating officers with fear or punishment.
Resource officers and beat officers can help create positive interactions before problems occur. When handled correctly, they can build trust, support safety, and help students understand that police are there to maintain the law, not just to punish citizens.
Endorsements
Whether someone is applying for a job, a coaching position, or public office, endorsements often serve the same purpose. They show that someone supports the candidate. But almost every candidate can find someone willing to write something positive.
Organizations usually endorse candidates because the answers on a political questionnaire match the organization’s views. That doesn’t always tell voters how the candidate will perform under pressure, how independent the candidate will operate, or how well the candidate understands regular people.
When I was teaching, I noticed a similar pattern. If school board members or special guests visited a campus, everyone knew in advance. The custodian made sure everything looked good. Visitors were taken to the best-performing classrooms. That’s normal, but it may not show the reality of the school. If someone wants to see what a school is really like, show up unannounced on a Friday afternoon. The best teachers wouldn’t have a problem with that.
The same idea applies to coaching. If you want to know who a coach really is, talk to the opposing coaches.
Endorsements are often polished, selective, and predictable. No one submits a negative recommendation. Voters should look beyond endorsements and judge candidates by their ideas, judgment, record, and relationship with the truth.
Roll Down Security Shutters
Roll-down security shutters could help protect businesses from smash-and-grab burglaries and vehicle break-ins, especially for storefronts in areas with repeated property crime.
They could also improve the appearance of business districts. Local artists could paint murals or designs on the shutters and turn a security feature into public art. The cost of installing shutters may be far less than the cost of repairing damaged doors, windows, walls, and other building infrastructure after a burglary On the proofing table Be here soon