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Patients First! Ask Valley and Deaconess Hospitals, Spokane, Wa, to do the Right Thing.
By EWVoters
Fri Jan 24, 2014 at 09:49:42 PM PST
Section: Stories In Progress
Topic: Alternative and Community Media
Power to you! Nurses and medical workers take on the corporate Goliath, Community Health Systems Inc (and I do mean incorporated). The problem was and still is the putting of profit ahead of patient health at Deaconess Hospital, Spokane, Wa, and at Valley Hospital, Spokane Valley, Wa.
Since Community Health Systems Inc. started reducing staffing levels at their hospitals in Spokane and Spokane Valley, patient injuries have increased. Medical staff is POed, went on strike for one day, and is asking for a bargaining date to discuss a return to staffing levels that can adequately take care of the patient health at Spokane Deaconess Hospital and at Valley Hospital.
Hospital work is obviously not like manufacturing lawn ornaments. Human wealth fare is at stake. Union members at Deaconess Hospital and at Valley Hospital felt a moral obligation to speak up and take a stand about how staffing levels are impacting their ability to take care of patients. Moreover, union members gave the hospital plenty notice of the strike and plenty time to bring in replacement workers, which they did. They only went on strike for one day, and then showed up for work.
Kevin Graman reports at SpokaneWatch.net.
(409 comments, 441 words in story) Full Story
Cathy McMorris Rodgers Voting Record and Politics
By EWVoters
Fri Apr 05, 2013 at 10:34:26 AM PST
Section: Spokane County
Topic: Repubs
There is a new website with Cathy McMorris Rodgers voting record. It leaves no doubt that she is a an extreme conservative who rarely deviates from her Republican party on important national issues. Even the Walla Walla Bulletin had this to say.
McMorris Rodgers is a rigid conservative and highly partisan . . . [and] isn't willing to compromise on major national issues.-Editorial Board, Walla Walla Union Bulletin.
You will want to check out the site for more details, but let's cut to the chase. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers voted with the Republican leadership 97% of the time in the 111th Congress while casting 1654 votes. This makes her one of the most partisan and conservative members of congress. McMorris Rodgers voted for the extreme 2013 GOP Budget to end Medicare as we know it. Likewise, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers voting record agreed with the American Conservative Union 96% percent of the time. Also, the Club for Growth scored her as voting with them 94% of the time, Family Research Council 100% of the time, the National Taxpayers Union 89% of the time, and the National Chamber of Commerce 100% of the time (see WikiPedia).
(380 comments, 330 words in story) Full Story
The Grand Old Perpetraitors Versus National Defense
By Arthur Ruger
Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 01:07:50 PM PST
Section: Stories In Progress
Topic: Repubs
The over all integrity of a nation will most immediately and powerfully be impacted by the models presented by its political parties.
That modeling ought to be a natural attention-grabber.
That modeling ought to present a public affirmation of concern for good of the country rather than political opportunism as the height of its most significant values - or the depth of its apathetic depravity.
(245 comments, 597 words in story) Full Story
On Gun-Toting Straight-Shooting Kindergarten Konstitutionalists
By Arthur Ruger
Tue Jan 15, 2013 at 08:22:02 AM PST
Section: Stories In Progress
Topic: General news/info
Updated 2-10-2013Unfunny humor about gun control
"There seemed to be no point to the gathering other to give some gun owners an opportunity to show off their toys in public.
What gets me, every time I see black-clad guys and gals strutting around with their weapons, is how little they have to be proud about. It takes zero courage and zero skill to own a gun. All you need is a VISA card. Shooting defenseless animals from long range, or defenseless targets, earns zero "guts points."
I respect people who take risks ... for having the guts to risk getting hurt in the course of developing their skills.
Ditto for combat soldiers who use their guns to fight guys who also have guns. But walking around the Oregon Capitol with an AR-15... that's ridiculously lame."
(233 comments, 1127 words in story) Full Story
Would you want these folks teaching high school civics classes?
By Arthur Ruger
Mon Jan 14, 2013 at 04:39:37 PM PST
Section: Stories In Progress
Topic: Repubs
After a lengthy hiatus and a move to Eastern Washington, I have returned to writing on Washblog. For those interested, you can learn about how to write a blog of your own to share your own thoughts on politics or anything else.
The failed Republican civic behavior is only worsened and made more complicated with the pitiful public relations failures of Flush Limbaugh and Fox News with its stupor stars, Squawk Hannity and The Fracture O' Reilly.
They have all now childishly teamed up to become a significant part of the problem with no relationship to the solution.
The absence of any sense of civic responsibility is overwhelmingly louder than any party or broadcast rhetoric itself.
How would you like it if these kinds of Kindergarten Konservatives were teaching your children civic values?
(706 comments, 661 words in story) Full Story
Movement for Two-Thirds Majority for New Taxes Goes Local
By EWVoters
Mon Dec 24, 2012 at 04:27:35 PM PST
Section: Spokane County
Topic: Economic Justice
As most of you know, years ago Tim Eyman launched an successful initiative effort to require a two-thirds majority in the Washington State Legislature for the passage of new taxes. The two-thirds majority movement has gone local.
The Spokane City Council recently voted in favor of placing Prop 1 for two-thirds rule on the local February ballot (along with two other issues including Prop 1 for independent investigative powers for the Spokane Police Ombudsman). The effort for the 2/3 majority ballot title was supported by Mike Fagan (in the picture to the right), freshman city council person, and frequent co-sponsor of Eyman initiatives to reduce state revenue needed for parks, education, environmental protection, and other services from the State of Washington. Because of the number of seats on the Spokane City Council, this would effectively be a five-sevenths (5/7) majority needed to pass new revenue proposals.
(249 comments, 444 words in story) Full Story
Progressive Voters Guide: For those tough voting decisions
By EWVoters
Sun Oct 28, 2012 at 01:40:38 PM PST
Section: Washington State
Topic: Election news/info
You likely have already figured out whether you are voting for President Barack Obama or Mitt Romney. However, what about for the Commissioner of Public Lands? Or Initiative 1185? Judicial races? The ProgressiveVotersGuide.com by Fuse Washington can help.
The [2012] election has huge implications for our families, our communities, and our state. Our goal is to make smart, informed voting based on progressive values easier for you. We worked with Washington's leading progressive organizations to produce a Progressive Voters Guide based on their endorsements - your ticket to highly informed recommendations about the races on your ballot.
The Progressive Voters Guide identifies the candidates with the most progressive track records and the ballot measure positions that will protect or promote progress in Washington.
(504 comments) Comments >>
Matt Shea (R) Pulled Handgun on Motorist in Spokane
By EWVoters
Sat Oct 27, 2012 at 04:56:21 PM PST
Section: Spokane County
Topic: Election news/info
"I wish to state that under no circumstances would I support Matt Shea for any public office," Senator Bob McCaslin (R) stated to the Spokane County Commissioners as they were deliberating who to appoint to a vacate seat to State House. "He [Matt Shea] is dangerous enough in the House, and would be a serious menace to good governance as a Senator" --Gary W. Smith, Spokane Valley 4th District Republican
He was speeding like he usually does. He admits it. Leroy Norris likes to put the pedal to the metal, and last November he was returning home to his residence on the South Hill at a fast clip in his Chevy Lumina.
Then, a pickup truck drove along-side of Leroy, and the driver pulled a handgun out of his glove box in plain view of Leroy. Leroy freaked out, and he took off at an even higher speed in fear for his life. Really, who wouldn't be afraid?
With little or no concern for the safety of other drivers, pedestrians, or kids playing in the neighborhood, the driver of the pickup truck proceeds to chase Leroy Norris up the South Hill on Monroe Street. One or both vehicles exceeded 60-miles per hour at times through the residential area.
The driver of the pickup truck was Washington State Representative Matt Shea (R). Despite Matt Shea's minor celebrity status as a local elected official, an officer of the Spokane Police Department recognized a threat to the community when he saw one. The good'ol boy network did not work for Matt Shea. Lt. Dan Torok of the Spokane Police Department cited Republican Matt Shea, Spokane Valley, for two violations of State firearms law in the road rage incident. Leroy Norris was not cited for any offense. To the right is a YouTube video that was produced by Eastern Washington Voters about the firearms incident involving Matt Shea with more info at SpokaneWatch.net
(235 comments, 1622 words in story) Full Story
Sheryl Gordon McCloud for Washington State Supreme Court
By EWVoters
Mon Oct 22, 2012 at 06:34:57 PM PST
Section: Stories In Progress
Topic: Election news/info
"I am Sheryl Gordon McCloud, and I am running for the Washington State Supreme Court. In fact, I am the front runner for the Washington State Supreme Court now coming out of the primary election and going into the November general election. I have spent twenty-five years arguing in favor of constitutional rights in front of the Washington Supreme Court and my expertise in that has been recognized by endorsements from the Spokesman Review over to the Seattle Times. I intend to be a justice that is fair and who carries on my practice of creating a level playing field even for those who cannot afford a lawyer: Cheryl Gordon-McCloud for the Washington State Supreme Court." --Filmed and Edited by Eastern Washington Voters in Pullman, Wa, at the 2012 Lentil Festival this last August.
(1594 comments) Comments >>
Must-Know Voting Rights Resources for GOTV
By noemie maxwell
Sat Oct 20, 2012 at 12:33:19 PM PST
Section: Washington State
Topic: Voting Rights
Below are links to resources I see as especially helpful for people doing GOTV. Most of them are from a reprint of an email that I received from the League of Women Voters of Washington this morning. I've added several links on restoration of voting rights for people with prior felonies from ACLU - and information on registration deadlines (in-person voter registration is possible through October 29 in Washington) from Washington's Secretary of State.
(778 comments, 604 words in story) Full Story
Washington State Voters' Guide is Supported by Kathleen Drew for Washington State Secretary State
By EWVoters
Wed Oct 17, 2012 at 09:18:16 PM PST
Section: Washington State
Topic: Election news/info
I was impressed with Kathleen Drew, candidate for Washington State Secretary of State, when I met her at the Lentil Festival in Pullman a few months ago. She had a good clear grasp of the issues affecting the Office of the Secretary of State, including the need to more fully fund the Washington State Voters' Guide, or the Voter's pamphlet if you will.
Below is the text of the youtube video of her, compliments of Eastern Washington Voters.
(1294 comments, 289 words in story) Full Story
Todd Mielke: When is a bribe not a bribe?
By EWVoters
Sun Oct 14, 2012 at 04:48:58 AM PST
Section: Spokane County
Topic: Campaign and Governmental Ethics
Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke recently got some unwanted press. Developer Lancze Douglass asked Todd Mielke for some help with some county business. Todd Mielke allegedly turned around and asked him for a campaign contribution.
However, Lancze Douglass would not have anything to do with it, so he told Mike Prager of the Spokesman Review the story.
(966 comments, 291 words in story) Full Story
Liberty Lake Jobs: The Stimulus Act of 2009 creates a few
By EWVoters
Sun Feb 19, 2012 at 10:13:16 PM PST
Section: Diary
Topic: