Trump’s 2nd Quarter

by | Jul 14, 2018 | National News

Posted July 13, 2018

In the time Donald Trump has been in the White House:

  • The economy added 3.2 million jobs, unemployment fell to the lowest level in 18 years, and the number of job openings grew larger than the number of job-seekers for the first time on record.
  • Economic growth picked up, but remains below what Trump promised, and even below the best years under Barack Obama.
  • The murder rate declined — at least in the 30 largest cities.
  • The decade-long downward trend in carbon dioxide emissions from energy slowed — and has most recently turned upward.
  • Illegal border crossings from Mexico slowed, but Trump’s promised border wall is still not funded.
  • Inflation-adjusted weekly wages rose 1.2 percent.
  • Home prices rose 17 percent, to a record level.
  • The U.S. trade deficit continued rising — up 13.6 percent.
  • The federal debt rose by more than $1 trillion, and projected annual deficits increased.

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Initiatitive promotes government transparency

by | Jun 6, 2018 | Commentary

by Susan Shotthafer

In 2014, I organized and led a transparency and right-to-work initiative effort for the City of Sequim working with Freedom Foundation.  The city council ignored Washington State law after a few volunteers and I, walking door-to-door, collected the required 648 valid signatures (over 800 in total because of invalidity) to qualify these initiatives inside the city of Sequim.  Freedom Foundation sued.  Judge Rohrer ruled against us and for the fatuous union arguments. The hearing provided a wrenching, very intense, but memorable learning experience. Similar volunteer efforts in Shelton, Blaine, Chelan met the same end.

After reviewing the new WA union legislation at the WA Policy Center’s Washington Votes website. I recognize the public unions’ intransigent determination to regain membership and funds lost from Freedom Foundation’s push-back. Democrats/progressives will continue to dominate and eventually destroy Washington State unless we elect more genuine conservatives and weaken public union’s stranglehold.  Concentration of power (in this situation, public/union/government) produces corruption and tyranny. (more…)

Bringing It All Together – The Dignity of Work

by | Jun 5, 2018 | Commentary

By Jim McEntire

Friends, I’ve written recently about the rural vs. urban divide in our great state, the state of our rural economy in Clallam County, and the disturbing statistics relating to hopelessness amongst some of our young citizens in our schools. 

The individual “pursuit of happiness” – one of our unalienable rights –  begs the question of “what makes people happy”? 

Of course, the answer is as varied and multi-hued as the number of people, but I have a notion that common to every notion of happiness is being able to live a dignified, productive life.  “Productive” can mean many things: it could mean creating great art for the individual and others to enjoy; it could mean finding the medical treatment that prevents the common cold; it could mean the joy of creating and marketing products or services that delight customers and keep them coming back for more.  And countless other things … .  Common to the meaning of “productive” is the bedrock quality of human dignity and a deep sense of self-worth.  (more…)