Posted Tue, Dec 13, 10:21 a.m.

I'm betting on President Romney or reelection for Obama, and a closely split Senate. But I could be wrong, and it could be more conservative. But either way we get.....nothing. The political elite is now obviously out of touch with the citizenry, in a way that we have not experienced ...

Posted Mon, Dec 5, 2:48 p.m.

The most important part of this article is this sentence: "the regional governance discourse could very profitably shift to a less dramatic but more practical focus on regional governance as capacity and purpose. This would align the talk with the walk that is characteristic of practicing regional actors..." Having worked ...

Posted Fri, Dec 2, 3:49 p.m.

Not all "free trade" is bad trade, and not all trade agreements result in job losses. However, here are some references from economists on the effect of this pact. First, from the Economic Policy Institute: "Given projected changes,the growth of the U.S. trade deficit with Colombia will displace 83,000 U.S. ...

Posted Thu, Oct 27, 2:32 p.m.

What is the one thing that links the following: 1) People having difficulty getting around on bikes 2) People finding it uncomfortable riding buses 3) People finding it difficult to drive on city streets Streets in poor condition! So we have a problem that affects all users of all transit ...

Posted Fri, Sep 30, 10:06 a.m.

"Public leadership and the general public are beginning to understand what our business leaders know, that new circumstances and a new reality require a new strategy and approach." Yes, beginning, at best. The unfortunate truth is that despite the most challenging environment since the 1930's, our elected officials do not ...

Posted Wed, Sep 21, 1:08 p.m.

What the article seems to point to is someone who can clearly be identified as a green progressive with someone who also has enough strategic business sense to realize Seattle needs to find its niche in the next incarnation of the regional economy. That's not about rich people being richer, ...

Posted Thu, Aug 18, 3:40 p.m.

There are indeed two economies in this area, and clearly the second economy is in dire need of assistance. Fortunately, there are actions that can be taken in the state, region, and local areas that will provide material assistance in both the short and long-term. First, get workforce education and ...

Posted Tue, Jul 19, 9:34 a.m.

Behind the weaknesses of all three alternatives – bored tunnel, surface streets, re-build, lies one inescapable fact: Seattle has too many single-passenger vehicle trips. You can take those cars and put them in a tunnel, shove them on to I-5, or allow them to choke the transportation grid while you ...

Posted Thu, Jun 23, 11:31 a.m.

@Gary P: Yes, I deliberately low-balled to make the point, which you just drove home. Thanks.

Posted Wed, Jun 22, 10:24 a.m.

OK, just to start with the basics. Though I am currently a Policy Analyst, I spent 20 years in the business, from fast food to fine dining, so what I'm about to say is from experience. Yes, profit margins are low, and the 3% figure is routinely quoted by all ...

Posted Wed, Apr 13, 2:23 p.m.

The author points out a key weakness in our system - the absence of strategic planning. Here is the key sentence: "Their representatives are not campaigning every day and fundraising. Their companies do not worry about quarterly results." Why is this? 1. In most systems, including capitalist Europe, corporations think ...

Posted Fri, Mar 18, 11:14 a.m.

RevSandy is right, but I will take the critique even further. The fact is that over 30% of our tax revenue comes from our manufacturing and industrial sector. And yes, as RevSandy points out, our transportation system moves products and supplies through our region. That means we need to think ...

Posted Thu, Jul 29, 10:34 a.m.

Uncertainty about the project is a feature of all mega-projects, especially tunnels. How could a vote resolve that uncertainty? Does the vote provide further guarantees against cost overuns? Further funding? Further project review? Further testing of soil samples? No, it would not. OK, so let's ask this question? A vote ...