Since word was first received that state legislators in Olympia could voluntarily reduce their wage by 3%, matching the cut they voted in for many state workers, only one Republican was included in the initial 4 that signed on, Ann Rivers of the 18th legislative district.

Much has been said to claim Democrats, who slowly sign on to the wage cut in more numbers than Republicans are who actually care about taxpayers. On the surface, that claim appears true since it appears numbers wise, Democrats still outnumber Republicans in signing on to the measure.

Besides the fact that Democrats continue to hold the majority on both houses, outnumbering elected Republicans, two points have come out showing that Democrats really don’t care more for taxpayers in these economically depressed times.

Brad Shannon of the Olympia has a column appearing in Sunday’s Tacoma News Tribune, More state lawmakers request salary cuts.

Reading through the column, it is discovered,

“The dozen new House requests were filed by Republican Reps. Brad Klippert of Kennewick, Larry Haler of Richland, Susan Fagan of Pullman, Hans Zeiger of Sumner and Norma Smith of Clinton. The Democrats were Reps. Roger Goodman of Kirkland, who is running for Congress, David Frockt of Seattle, Ruth Kagi of Lake Forest Park, Laurie Jinkins of Tacoma, Kathy Haigh of Shelton, Andy Billig of Spokane and appointee Sharon Wylie of Vancouver.”

“Several members have said it was a matter of showing solidarity with public-sector workers whose pay has been cut to help close a $5 billion budget gap.”

Far from showing any concern for struggling taxpayers across the state, they wish only to show Solidarity with state public union workers who have been asked to share in the sacrifice. Where has their solidarity with private sector workers, many who have struggled and continue to struggle these last few years and still face high unemployment, wage cuts and higher taxes?

Democrat representative from the 49th legislative district Jim Moeller has no problem sticking each and every one of us with restrictive and burdensome taxes as he did with his now taxpayer repealed “candy tax.”

Showing even more disdain for the average taxpayer in Washington State, Jim Moeller is one of those Democrats who have signed on to the lawsuit to overturn “the Voice of the People” who voted for and passed I-1053, reinstating the 2/3 requirement to raise of impose new taxes that taxpayers have voted for numerous times, and Democrats vacate one way or the other.

Then, Jim has the audacity to accuse me, in yesterday’s John Laird column, in the comments, “promoting throwing out our own constitution here at home by changing it with an initiative!” He continues, “Perhaps you can start by recognizing OUR constitution first as the law of the land and a voice of the people and NOT just an inconvenience that can be tossed aside when it doesn’t fit your politics.”

Citizen initiative is written into our constitution at ARTICLE II SECTION 1, “LEGISLATIVE POWERS, WHERE VESTED. The legislative authority of the state of Washington shall be vested in the legislature, consisting of a senate and house of representatives, which shall be called the legislature of the state of Washington, but the people reserve to themselves the power to propose bills, laws, and to enact or reject the same at the polls, independent of the legislature, and also reserve power, at their own option, to approve or reject at the polls any act, item, section, or part of any bill, act, or law passed by the legislature.”
“(a) Initiative: The first power reserved by the people is the initiative….”

The “voice of the people” has repeatedly said they want a 2/3 majority requirement for raising or creating new taxes and Jim Moeller and several other Democrats have signed onto a lawsuit to thwart the “voice of the people.”

Moeller has also stated he will not ask for the wage cut, but claims he will donate that 3% to charity.

But, where has the concern or solidarity been towards the overall vast majority of taxpayers in the state? Why do these Democrats who now say they will accept the 3% cut “to show solidarity with public unions” continue to thumb their noses at private sector struggling taxpayers?

Also of concern and doesn’t bode well for elected lawmakers,

“Many lawmakers also said they hadn’t waived their pay sooner because they didn’t know about bill language that created a pay waiver form at www.salaries.wa.gov. SB 5860 passed 72-24 in the House and 36-10 in the Senate.”

They voted for it, passed it and now say they didn’t know what was in it? Sharon Wylie, appointed to replace Jim Jacks who walked out on constituents mid-session voted for that bill too and is finally among those who signed on to the cut.

Is she also one saying she did it to show solidarity with public unions over private sector taxpayers? Is she one who voted for the bill, not knowing what was in it?

The only way we will turn this state around is by replacing those who so cavalierly look down their noses towards taxpayers and place public unions far above private sector workers who must pay the taxes in order for those public union members to be paid.

Sharon Wylie is up for election this November. She continues to hide her positions on issues from voters.

Her opponent, Craig Riley lists his position on several matters of concern to us in the 49th, unashamed of where he stands.

If Democrats like Ms. Wylie cannot show solidarity with the struggling middle class taxpayer and instead only shows solidarity with public union workers, we need to vote her out in November.