KING 5 News Up Front Blog

Attorney General: McKenna or Ladenburg?

Rob McKenna is the incumbent Republican Washington State Attorney General. He is considered a rising star in the Republican party, a candidate with bi-partisan appeal who has been mentioned as a likely candidate for governor. His challenger is Democrat John Ladenburg. Ladenburg has been the Pierce County Executive and the Pierce County prosecutor. He attacks McKenna for not being a strong consumer advocate, especially regarding ID theft and gasoline prices. McKenna cites improvements in Washington's ID theft ranking nationally and his study that found no collusion in gas pricing. What do you think? Can Ladenburg unseat McKenna?

Proposition One: Expanding Light Rail

The Sound Transit Board has placed another light rail measure on this fall's ballot. It's called Proposition One and it would create another 34 miles of light rail from Lynnwood to Federal Way to Redmond. It would also increase commuter rail (Sounder) between Seattle and Tacoma and add express bus service. Sound Transit says it will cost $17.8 billion before interest is added. The revenue to pay for this expansion would come from a half percent increase in the sales tax. That's an additional five cents on a ten dollar purchase. What do you think? Is this a measure you will vote yes on or will you vote no?

Tim Eyman's latest initiative

Initiative 985 is Tim Eyman's latest initiative. It would open up HOV lanes in certain off-peak commute periods, require cities and counties to synchronize stop lights, put more money into emergency roadside service, and fund all of this with money taken from certain fines, penalties and tolls. None of this money could be used for mass transit -- buses or rail, bike lanes, or wildlife crossings. Eyman says these changes will result in better traffic flow and congestion relief. Opponents say the devil is in the details. They argue that money taken from tickets resulting from red light cameras will force many cities to shut those cameras down and opening up HOV lanes to everyone will create dangerous situations. What do you think? Has Eyman successfully transitioned from tax cutter to traffic congestion cutter?

Will you vote for a third party presidential candidate?

Although the Republican and Democratic candidates for president get almost all the media coverage, third party presidential candidates have often tipped the balance to one candidate or another on election day. Remember Ralph Nader in 2000 or Ross Perot in 1992? This year there are a number of alternatives to Barack Obama and John McCain. Former Republican Representative Bob Barr is running on the Libertarian ticket. Ralph Nader is once again in the race. Are you considering voting for a third party candidate? Do you think there is something wrong with a political culture that seems to automatically reduce any candidate beside the Republican or Democratic to an "also-ran"?

Just how stupid are American voters?

Seattle author and historian RIck Shenkman has a written a book that says American voters are ill-informed. He says good democratic government depends on informed voters and Americans are not living up to their responsibility. What really animates Shenkman is misconceptions about Saddam Hussein's connection to the 9/11 attacks. Here's an excerpt from an article he wrote for The Washington Post:

"Just before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, after months of unsubtle hinting from Bush administration officials, some 60 percent of Americans had come to believe that Iraq was behind the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks... A year later, after the bipartisan, independent 9/11 Commission reported that Saddam Hussein had had nothing to do with al-Qaeda's assaults on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, 50 percent of Americans still insisted that he did. In other words, the public was bluntly given the data by a group of officials generally believed to be credible -- and it still didn't absorb the most basic facts about the most important event of their time."

So what do you think? Are Americans just plain dumb? Does our ignorance endanger our democracy? What can be done about it?

Darcy Burner runs again

In 2006, Darcy Burner ran as the Democratic candidate in the 8th Congressional District against incumbent Dave Reichert. Burner linked Reichert to President Bush and his Iraq policies. Reichert's campaign challenged Burner's lack of public service experience. In the end, Reichert won a close race. Now, two years later, Burner is back. Does she have what it takes to defeat Reichert this time?

Does Rep. Dave Reichert deserve another term?

Rep. Dave Reichert is running for a third term in the 8th Congressional District. Critics say Reichert's views on Iraq are not a good fit for the district. What do you think?

Four more years for Governor Christine Gregoire?

Christine Gregoire is seeking another four year term. Gregoire points to her expansion of children's healthcare and education as two key accomplishments. She also says that, despite the down turn of the national economy, Washington state is doing relatively well. She answers questions about a budget shortfall, by saying she is on top of tax receipts and will take the actions necessary to keep the budget balanced. What do you think? Is she doing a good job? Does she deserve your vote this year?

Is campaign money getting out of control?

One of the goals of campaign finance laws is to make the process transparent. Voters should know which campaigns and candidates are getting money, who's giving them money, and how much money is exchanging hands. What do you think? Is the system working? Is it clear to you which interest groups are supporting the different campaigns? Do you think you can easily figure out the individuals who are contributing to campaigns?

Is non-partisan voting good for government?

In the primary on August 19th, King County voters will be asked to take the first steps toward a non-partisan county government. It's called Initiative 26 and it would turn the King County Executive, Prosecutor, Assessor and Council offices into non-partisan positions. Supporters say parties get in the way of local government. They argue, most local issues are not partisan. Opponents say, this is a Republican ploy to get more Republicans elected. What do you think? Are political parties bad for government?

Sound Transit's new ballot measure

The Sound Transit board voted unanimously to place a 15-year, $17.6 billion measure on the November ballot. It would entail a .05 cent sales tax increase. In return voters get, among other things, 34 new miles of light rail. What do you think? Are voters in the mood to increase taxes for transportation projects?

What do you think of Dino Rossi for governor?

In 2004 Dino Rossi lost a disputed and highly publicized election to Christine Gregoire. Now he's back and most polls show the race is once again very close. Rossi is very critical of Gregoire's record and tout's his own accomplishments in the state legislature as evidence he can do a better job. What do you think? Has Rossi shown you he is ready to be governor?

Homeless convicted sex offenders

Thousands of convicted sex offenders in Washington State don't have a place to live after serving their prison sentences. They live under bridges, on streets and in impromptu campgrounds. Is the Department of Corrections doing a good enough job keeping track of these felons? What do you think of using tax dollars to provide housing for them so we know where they are? Would creating an ombudsman help provide a solution?

Are we witnessing the end of food?

Local author Paul Roberts in his book, The End of Food, suggests the end of food -- at least as we know it -- is on the horizon. After decades of increased crop production and declining levels of hunger, Roberts says, increases in food borne illnesses, rising petroleum prices, and the cost of staple foods like rice, corn and wheat signal a breakdown in our global food system. What do you think? Is the era of cheap and plentiful food about to end? How concerned are you about the food you eat?

Do you care if the Sonics stay or go?

After the first week of the Sonics trial, Seattle attorney Randy Aliment says he is optimistic that Seattle will end up hosting an NBA team in the future. He says the city has made its case that the contract with the team must be fulfilled.
What do you think? Has the city made its case?
If the Sonics are in Seattle next year, will you watch any of their games?