A two minute search of Mr. Lazowska's political contributions on the PDC website show that he is actually more about the status quo than any real change. Gregoire, Locke, Nickels, Sims, Kohl-Welles, Hunter, Eide, Both Bergeson and Dorn and of course the Washington State Democrats. Change you can believe in. This individual funds the very people he accuses of screwing things up.

As usual, Cameron, you miss any point that is not your own.

Ed is saying that WE, as the we the people, need to "get engaged" and stop sitting on the sidelines making smug remarks, as seems to be your primary contribution to politics.

Only in the PNW do we excoriate our government for being unprepared for the snow, even while we let the snow pile up on our own front sidewalks for lack of a snow shovel. I can't think of a better illustration of our lack of political character.

So what office do you hold Sean? How many Committees and Commissions do you serve on? What differences do you make?

Ed is saying that "We" need to be engaged in changing our communities for the better, many of us are already doing that. Ed is also saying that the performance up to this point has been poor and that change is needed. Ed also continues to support the very people with his political contributions and votes that are responsible for the poor performance he complains about. You and Ed cannot have it both ways.

"Our tax policies are regressive. Our education policies are Neanderthal — they are dismally failing our kids at all levels. The ineptness of leadership that leads to governance-by-Eyman-initiative is unconscionable."

Couldn't agree more. But to translate hand-wringing into solutions require some specificity. Such as:

- The legislature, with the help of the business community and others, should revisit the state/local tax system to identify more balanced alternatives. Of course this has been done several times in the recent past, but to no avail. We continue to depend heavily on the sales tax (increased in November to a full 10%), while most states balance sales, property, and income taxes, allowing them to ride out economic cycles without cutting education and other government responsibilities to the bone. The alternatives should be revenue neutral to allay fears that they are a subterfuge for more revenue and spending.

- Our business leaders (including Amazon) and electeds (including our Congressional delegation) should work with their counterparts in other states to allow taxation of on-line and mail order sales. The State Revenue Department conservatively estimates that these interstate sales tax exemptions will cost Washington State and its local jurisdictions $550 million in the 2010-11 biennium. Early on it was argued that on-line sales represented a fledgling industry that should be encouraged and not handicapped by prices that included the sales tax, and that the highly variable state/local sales tax rates were too complex to calculate for every transaction. These complaints don’t cut it anymore. On-line sales represent a mature commercial enterprise and, as the author of Essay 5 I’m sure would agree, computer software can easily handle thousands of determinations of tax rates at point of delivery.

- Once again, as was done in the mid 1980s by a state task force, identify and (this time) follow through on opportunities to merge, consolidate, and eliminate governmental agencies at all levels for the purpose of increased efficiency. Does it make sense to have a Port of Seattle in competition with a Port of Tacoma (and Olympia, Everett, etc) when there could be one Port of Puget Sound that would plan and deliver export/import services in the most cost effective manner?

Cameron, I do my best to contribute to this city, but without doubt, I could do more. Given your blindly conservative agenda, I'd suggest you continue to do absolutely nothing.

As for Ed's political contributions, good for him, that is a perfect example of the kind of citizen engagement he is calling for. Ed isn't blaming politicians for this region's political problems, nor is he suggesting we cry and stamp our feet until Nickels gives us a pony. If we want better government, we need to be better citizens.

Well then Sean I suggest you step up and be a part of the change that you believe needs to happen. I serve my community both as an official in a Non-Partisan capacity and on a volunteer basis. I work with our local schools and it's foundation as well as being a representative on several regional boards. Sean, you talk a good game, but never actually get around to serving.

Ed's money is what he is giving, nothing else. He quite clearly states that he is unhappy with the way things are being done in terms of governance, yet he continues to donate to the same people who got us into this situation. Organizational change needs to happen occasionally in Government as well as it does in the Private Sector, otherwise you end up with the stale one party rule like we have at the State, King County and the City of Seattle.