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Posts published in “Day: January 6, 2006”

Cash back

January 6, 2006

So we have Peter DeFazio returning the bucks, while Patty Murray says she's keeping hers. Everyone seems to have a different reaction to the tribal money.

That is a distinction worth making: Tribal money, as opposed to Jack Abramoff money.

The ever-growing scandal surrounding corrupt lobbyist Abramoff has not hit the Northwest congressional delegation especially hard, as yet. For the most part - qualifiers are needed - he seems not to have been especially close to most of this region's congressional players, a fact for which most of them are doubtless massively relieved about now.

The members of Congress who stand in the hottest water are those who had direct dealings with Abramoff, and whose names are likely to come up repeatedly as the former power broker sings for federal attorneys. Are any northwest members of Congress in this group? (more…)

WA: Almost all-mail?

January 6, 2006

A certain civic romance remains in the idea of the polling place: You take the effort to bestir yourself to leave your dwelling and commingle among other citizens, make your decision, and exercise your civic responsibility. In public. It has understandable appeal.

Gotta say, though, that mail-in balloting works. In the state that pioneered it statewide, Oregon, it has worked beuatifully and it is immensely popular. Convenience, which is often touted as a big plus, is actually its slightest virtue. More importantly, it allows voters an extended time to think about what's on the ballot, to discuss and to research. (Can't remember what's the deal with those state treasurer candidates? Fine. Put down the ballot on the kitchen table and go Google them.) It allows for better and more relaxed and more informed voting. (Note that's no guarantee of results, just of opportunity.) It has been shown to be secure (at least the way Oregon does it); no problems of any significance reported in a decade of practice. It may be the way of the future.

It looks to be the way of Washington's future, since this week's decision in Snohomish County to adopt mail-in voting county wide. That makes it number 34 of 39 counties statewide to go mail. (more…)