Previous Articles from the Chair:
December 2014 Column
I don’t know about you but, personally speaking, after the recent elections, I am still in a state of euphoria. Ecstatic is hardly the word. It is so bad that people are making me chew on lemons just to take the silly grin off my face.
How sweet it is to be able to use the words “Commissioner” and “Peach” in the same sentence! Which means that, for the first time in recent memory, we will have three conservative commissioners in office. Three commissioners who understand that government does not create jobs but, in fact, frequently serves to prevent job creation.
At last, maybe we can stem the flow of jobs away from Clallam County. And maybe even attract some. Which would attract workers… and families… and economic growth. What a concept!!
As GOP chair, I was blessed to have two very qualified candidates vying for the position of Prosecuting Attorney. Speaking personally, and a bit selfishly, I simply could not lose!! Nor could the county!! However, watching two good personal friends contend for the same position was sad in that only one of them could win.
But that was the case and so I offer hearty congratulations to the newly elected Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols who assumed the office effective November 25. I also wish to thank Will Payne for the exemplary job that he did for the short time he was in office and note that the office – and the county – is all the better for his presence. Well done to you both.
There were also a number of non-partisan races and, while they may not publically declare a party preference, the winners were all solid professionals and a credit to their positions. Accordingly, congratulations to: Auditor-elect Shoona Riggs, re-elected Assessor Pam Rushton, Director-elect, Mary Ellen Winborn (Department of Community Development), re-elected Sheriff Bill Benedict and, lastly, re-Elected Judges Chris Melly and Rick Porter.
And not to forget the conservative candidates elected to the Charter Review Commission; Sue Forde, Nola Judd, Maggie Roth, Glenn Wiggins, and Connie Beauvais. You will be hearing much more about them in the near future.
I have often said that we can’t do much about elective offices in Washington DC; and not much more about those offices in Olympia. But where we can make a difference is locally, here in the county. And this time, we sure did make a difference. Like, can you say Commissioner Peach??
Whoops… better pass that lemon again… I feel a grin about to break out.
Dick Pilling, Chair
November 2014 Column
You know, we hear a lot about how various Islamic factions have declared war on America. You know, Al-Qaeda… ISIL… Muslim Brotherhood, etc…
They fly their flag in victory over lands upon which we spilled American blood in an effort to free their citizens from their own despotic leaders… they now taunt us with threats about bringing their war to America… they brutalize their prisoners – some American – in the most barbaric manner possible…
They are, in fact, throwbacks to a much earlier age where the sword ruled and peace was but a brief interlude in an on-going war….where primitive peoples inflicted carnage on each other in their quest for power and domination…
Yes, we hear that a relatively small group of misogynistic religious misfits have declared war on America. But why the hell haven’t we heard about how America has declared war on them? Why do we mute our rage with inane comments about workplace violence? Why do we blame the bestial slaughter of an American ambassador on an inconsequential video? Why do we not place the blame squarely where it belongs instead of beating around the bush?
The fact is, virtually every problem besetting the world today seems to stem from Islam and its ongoing jihad with the rest of civilization. And yes, we know that while not all Islam devotees are terrorists, almost all terrorists are Islam devotees. Funny how that works, huh.
But it seems that if we ignore this undeniable fact, we can somehow pretend that we are not at war with these sacrilegious perverts… that if we but indulge ourselves some in sort of childish make-believe, we can convince ourselves that if we were just nicer to them, they would not hate us.
But they will… you see, they hate us not for what we do or say… They hate us for what we are…
And they always will…
Dick Pilling, Chair
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October 2014 Column
Still in keeping with my motto, “everybody has a right to my opinion”, this column reviews those candidates vying for “non-partisan” positions. I attempt to fairly evaluate them on the basis of their perceived logical and intelligent stances and/or actions, because, party politics aside, we need competent people in these key positions regardless of their affiliation. (But don’t be surprised if they turn out to be conservative Republicans)
County auditor… Shoona Riggs vs. Kim Yacklin. Both capable candidates but the nod goes to Shoona who has 23 years in the auditor’s office. Shoona was hired just out of high school and has come from the “ground up”. She has performed virtually all of the jobs in the office and is, therefore, very capable of supervising subordinates in the tasks that she knows so well. Vote Shoona.
Director, Community Development… Sheila Roark Miller vs. Mary Ellen Winborn. Both candidates have desirable attributes but incumbent Sheila has a broader skill set plus years of experience in the department and, as noted above, can easily supervise/oversee job performance throughout the department. Sheila gets my vote.
Judge, District Court One… Rick Porter vs. Cathy Marshall. Incumbent Rick Porter has performed well; especially in the area of holding criminals accountable for their actions. I particularly like his pay-or-appear program which provides opportunity for offenders bear up to their responsibilities and, also, have the program pay for itself. Give the gavel to Rick again.
Charter Review Candidates… As most of you are aware, Clallam County is one of 6 Washington counties that have a County Charter which can be likened to a county constitution. This charter is subject to review in 2015 and each of our three commissioner districts will elect 5 candidates from their district to serve on the review committee.
While non-partisan, it certainly behooves us to ensure that successful candidates will embody conservative values. In my opinion – there I go again – the most capable candidates are as follows:
Commissioner District One… Sue Forde, Brandon Janisse, Nola Judd, Jon Kirshbaum, and Jerry Sinn.
Commissioner District Two…Kaj Ahlburg, Stephanie Noblin, Maggie Roth, Susan Shotthafer, and Glenn Wiggins.
Commissioner District Three… Connie Beauvais and Bill White.
When you go to the polls, please consider voting for these candidates. But, for sure, vote. Because those who do not vote are destined to be ruled by their inferiors.
And you can see how that is working out…
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September 2014 Column
Okay all you political junkies, it is election season again. And time for I, your beloved chairman, to voice my opinion on the partisan races. Because, as we all know, I believe everybody has a right to my opinion.
Firstly, I am delighted to project that our soon-to-be-elected Prosecuting Attorney will be a Republican. I don’t need a crystal ball for this as we are blessed with two very qualified candidates – Mark Nichols and Will Payne – both of whom are Republicans and either of whom will do an excellent job. Wish I could vote for both of them…
GOP Newcomer Tom Greisamer opposes Steve “Tax and Spend” Tharinger for State Representative. Tom offers refreshingly conservative stances on all points and adamantly opposes the hallmark of the Tharinger campaign which answers every question with the same answer… raise taxes… If you can’t vote for Tom, vote against Tharinger…
Marty McClendon is opposing Derek Kilmer for US Representative. Marty easily gains the conservative nod due to Kilmer’s continuation of Norm Dicks’ 32 year disastrous policy of exporting Clallam County jobs to other areas of the state. Marty is the obvious choice…
Bill Peach contests Sissi Bruch for County Commissioner. Bill has soundly grounded ideas with regard to how to improve the business climate which will generate jobs and income. Sissi likes trees. Peach is my man…
For those that don’t know it, Clallam County is one of six Washington State counties that has adopted a charter form of government which is, in essence, a “County Constitution”. And during this election cycle, our county will be electing representatives – 5 from each commissioner district – to the “Charter Review Commission” which will review – and possibly amend – the charter. While non-partisan in theory, it certainly behooves us to elect conservative representatives to this commission.
Candidates from district one are Nola Judd, Sue Forde, Brandon Janisse, Jerry Sinn and Jon Kirshbaum. District two candidates are Maggie Roth, Kaj Ahlburg, Stephanie Noblin, Glenn Wiggins, and Susan Shotthafer. Connie Beauvais and William White are from district three. Please take note of these names and consider voting for them
Remember to vote because those who do not vote will most assuredly be governed by their inferiors. And, quite frankly, I am getting tired of it…
Dick Pilling, Chair
December 2013
Liar Liar Pants on Fire
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie…” Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Propaganda Minister.
Recent events have proved this statement to be as true now as it was when Goebbels first said it back in the run up to World War II.
For instance, President Obama telling the American people that, “if you like your health insurance, you can keep it”, would qualify as a big lie. A really big one! And, in keeping with the first sentence in the above quote, many people came to believe it, thereby attesting to the quotes veracity.
However, as illustrated by President Obama, a lie can be too big. If it is soooo big that it encompasses nearly 1/6 of our national economy – as his lie does – it will ultimately have an effect on millions upon millions of people. Sooner or later, enough people will experience a sufficiently adverse effect such that the State can no longer shield them from its consequences, thereby proving the second sentence as well.
Obviously, President Obama knows nothing about the law of holes – like, when you are in one, stop digging – and continuing to compound his mistake, he decided to lie about his, uh, lie.
First it was he didn’t really say that. And then it was he really did say that but it was taken out of context and not what he meant to say. And then it was that he was misinformed when he said it, and, therefore, he didn’t know he was lying. Which, in itself, was a lie.
Once caught in a lie, you are – and always will be – a liar. And everybody knows it. Which is why President Obama has lost favor with much of America… Except for two people of course…
Jimmie Carter likes him because he is now no longer classified as the worst president ever… And Clinton likes him because he is no longer seen as the biggest liar…
~Dick Pilling, Chair
View from the Chair – October 2013
Wow! Election season is upon us! Again!
Of course, this is referred to as an “off year” wherein there are no national or state-wide contests. However, there arelocal elections which, in my opinion, are sometimes more important than those that take place at the higher levels.
You see, the local “Grass Roots” are where you first hear the voices of the people themselves and it is during these local elections that public policy is born. In so doing they provide the ultimate compass bearing for the direction of state and national policies.
For instance, what could be more important than a school board election which ultimately determines the curriculum that will be placed before our young people? Will it teach them conservative values? The fundamental nature of our constitution and the philosophies of our founding fathers? And, more importantly, will we locals have a voice in what our children are taught?
Or will we surrender our voice to a national “Common Core” which is nothing less than a federal “take over” of our local schools whereby the omniscient federal government will dictate the educational standards and, more importantly, the “values” of our children. Please remember… Russia’s Vladimir Lenin once famously said “Give me 4 years to teach the children and the seed I have planted will never be uprooted”.
So while school board elections are “non-partisan” – and rightfully so – it is essential that school board members hold certain conservative values and so I encourage you to vote for Debbie Fuson for Port Angeles School Board and for Michael Howe for Sequim School Board.
Other “non-partisan” positions, which nonetheless cry out for conservative valued candidates, are as follows:
Sequim City Council position 3. Political newcomer – and recently of the 101st Air Born (Iraq) – Brandon Janisse has declared for this position. A Sequim native, Brandon stands for transparency and fiscal responsibility. He thinks the city should stick to local infrastructure and help businesses develop to the benefit of the community. He is well worth your consideration.
Sequim City Council position 4. Congratulations are offered to Dennis Smith who is uncontested and will remain on the council for the next four years. He has done a great job thus far and we look forward to more of the same.
Port Angeles Council position 4. Congratulations also to Dan Gase who is also uncontested and will fill the position vacated by Brooke Nelson who is stepping down. Further congratulations to him for stepping in to fill the vacant position created by Max Mania’s departure.
Sean Ryan, an 18 year resident of Clallam County, a local business owner, and a volunteer fireman for the past 5 years, is contesting for Commissioner, Fire District #3. He appears to be voice for a new direction and would merit a close look.
Colleen McAleer, vying for Port District Commissioner #1, has served her country as a platoon leader assigned to the front lines of Operation Desert Storm – the first woman to be so assigned – as a helicopter pilot, and as an intelligence officer. She will utilize her recent experience as the Port’s Director of Business Development, her intelligence background, and her passion for detail, further augmented by her “inner geek”, to take the port to a more financially sustainable level by pursuing untapped business opportunities. Colleen will do a great job as Port Commissioner.
Obviously, I have not covered all of the positions up for election but will continue to acquaint myself with the other candidates and will offer my opinion on the candidacies via email in the coming weeks. Because, as I often say, everybody has a right to my opinion…
View from the Chair – September 2013
from Chairman Dick Pilling…
I don’t know about you, but all this talk about Obama’s health care plan is making me sick.
Let’s get this straight… the whole plan is based on providing health care to an additional 30 million or so recipients which, on the face of it, sounds like a good idea.
However, we are not going to increase the number of healthcare providers which, incidentally, are retiring in droves without significant replacements on the immediate horizon. Nor will we increase the “waiting time” for services. And we will definitely not institute a method of prioritizing services whereby certain persons will be “more eligible” than others. (Can you say death panels?) Moreover, to top it off, we will actually decrease the overall cost of healthcare.
Really?? Well, maybe… But only after we successfully repeal the law of supply and demand…
Let’s face it… the bottom line is that providing healthcare to many more people will, in fact, cost more money. And if those who are newly added to the healthcare roles cannot or will not pay for these services, someone else will be required to. And that “someone else” is likely to be you!
You see, there are only three payment options for health care. One pays for their own healthcare… or one “freeloads” on the system thereby making others pay for their healthcare… or one pays for their own care and that of the “freeloader” as well.
This last option is the one to be chosen for you in the coming year and this is why your healthcare costs are going to skyrocket. You see, Obama is determined to save you money no matter how much it costs you…
In the past, I have had the opportunity to live in several countries wherein health care is provided without charge to its citizens. And I have to tell you… if you think your healthcare is expensive now; just wait until it is free…
Dick
View from the Chair – June 2013
Woefully ignorant? Or Willfully ignorant?
President Obama, the CEO of the USA, the most powerful man in the most powerful nation in the world, would have us believe that he is simply unaware of some pretty important events in recent history. He is just “out of the loop” and gets much of his information just like we do. from the newspapers.
For instance, there was a massive and unprecedented intrusion into Associated Press news sources whereby secret subpoenas were issued in an effort to uncover “whistle blowers”. But Obama didn’t know.
Fox News correspondent James Rosen was named as a potential “co-conspirator”
in a possible espionage activity and had his personal email account and telephone records secretly searched. But Obama didn’t know.
The Internal Revenue Service has blatantly targeted – and harassed – nearly any organization that has Tea Party or Patriot or Conservative leanings.
But Obama didn’t know.
Our embassy in Benghazi repeatedly requested additional security because they felt threatened by local elements. But Obama didn’t know.
The attack on the Benghazi embassy was due to terrorist activity and not some inconsequential utube video. But Obama didn’t know.
So what the heck is going on? Is this a matter of woeful ignorance? A case where Obama is truly unaware of what is going on in his administration?
That his subordinates are taking decisions upon themselves that should rightfully be made by Obama himself? That his minions, in an attempt to further what they feel is the Obama agenda, are simply running amok?
Or is it willful ignorance? Is Obama deliberately isolating himself from the day to day operations of his administration? Does he feel that if he is unaware of certain activities by his underlings, then he is relieved of all responsibility? That if he “didn’t know”, then it is not his fault?
But perhaps it is neither woeful nor willful ignorance. Perhaps he is just faking ignorance about all these, and many other events, in order to fool the American people. Perhaps he is not ignorant at all. He just thinks we are.
Until next time…
Dick
View from the Chair – May 2013
I’m a recovering engineer. I’m in a 12-step program, I meet regularly with my fellow afflictees, and I seek counsel frequently. However, despite my most strenuous efforts, these steps are having only limited effect on my disorder and I see very little improvement.
The root of my problem is that I am hopelessly addicted to facts and definitions. Definitions that do not change over time and at the whim of an increasingly liberal government. Definitions that are fact-based and not merely a matter of opinion. This, of course, remains a continuing problem for me as I try to make my way in a world of changing definitions and shifting meanings.
For instance, I have a real problem with the term “undocumented worker” that is increasingly used in place of the more precise – and fact-based term – “illegal alien.”
As a “definition-obsessed” engineer, I define alien as “foreign person” and illegal as “an unlawful act.” In short, a foreign person who has committed an unlawful act by entering our country illegally.
This is in sharp contrast to an “undocumented worker” which seems to describe someone who has missed some minor step in acquiring some small bit of paper work.
Is this the direction that we are moving in? Redefining criminal acts to appear less heinous, less morally reprehensible? Are we soon to redefine bank robber as one who makes an unauthorized withdrawal? Trespassers and burglars as uninvited guests? Drug dealers as unlicensed pharmacists? Robbers as merely overly aggressive panhandlers? Because if it is, my recovery will take a long, long time.
But maybe this is not the trend. Because I am starting to hear some voices in the wilderness. They are still somewhat muted but the voices of the Rand Pauls, the Marco Rubios, the Paul Ryans, the Chris Christies and others are rising above the fray. I hear the voices of 30 Republican governors… I hear voices in the House of Representatives…
And many are making sense. They base their opinions on logic and commonsense instead of feelings and wishes. More importantly, they are defining problems on the basis of fact and not opinion because they know that a problem cannot be addressed and fixed until it is defined.
And others are starting to listen…and to agree…even some of the leftist liberal media… Who would have thought?
So maybe, just maybe, my fact-based, logic-directed, definition-afflicted disorder is not an illness after all. Maybe I am not in recovery. And shouldn’t be. Maybe the country is in recovery.
Let us hope…
Dick
View from the Chair – April 2013
The Arrogance of Ignorance
April 2013
I once knew a drunk who claimed that the only drinking problem that he had was when he couldn’t get another drink.
This is not unlike our esteemed “Spender in Chief” who appears to believe that the only spending problem that we have is when we run out of money to spend. Or, more accurately stated, when we run out of your money to spend.
This logic – or illogic – is pervasive… it can be seen throughout the government and at every level. From Obama to Pelosi to Reid and right on down to our own local representatives. They all seem to truly believe that we really don’t have a spending problem; we just don’t have enough money.
What the heck?? Do these people undergo some sort of fiscal lobotomy upon being elected? An operation that disconnects economic logic from the thought processes? A medical procedure that somehow removes the “Hey-do-we-really-need-that-and-can-we-really-afford-it” section of the brain?
And the answer is “Probably not.” At least not for most of them… Although I am not real sure about some of our beloved local reps…
No, the trouble is, most elected officials have never run anything in their lives. Except countless campaigns, of course. They are not business people… they have not been required to oversee a budget… they don’t know what a profit and loss statement is… and most importantly, they never have any of their own “skin in the game.”
Fact is, because they work for an outfit that can print its own money, a dollar (or a billion dollars) is like play money and spending it becomes like playing a game of monopoly. Except that the money they use is extorted from us – the taxpayers.
And after handling huge sums of other people’s money, they become used to it… they feel that they know what they are doing… and their financial ignorance becomes an arrogance… hence the idiotic statements by Obama, Pelosi and others.
So what to do? Well, maybe we should look at an aspiring politician’s resume before we elect them. See if they have run anything before we hire them to run our government. Determine if they have been fiscally prudent in their business before we invite them to stick their nose in our business. And, most importantly, check to see if they have ever really done anything.
Because if they have not done anything in the past, why would we think they can do anything in the future??
Dick
View from the Chair – March 2013
Ok, so are we in charge of the government or is the government in charge of us?
“We the People” would like to think that our elected representatives do “we the people’s” work in a manner that “we the people” have so directed. But so much of our government is merely appointed and not elected by “we the people” and therefore cannot be held accountable by “we the people” and so “we the people” are held hostage by a group of unelected bureaucrats who operate largely beyond our control.
For instance, pen-pushing appointees in the Department of Ecology (DOE) have developed a cumbersome, expensive and immensely complex solution to a completely non-existent “water shortage” problem and are intent on shoving it down our collective throats. Firstly, there is no water shortage and, if there was, the DOE’s solution does absolutely nothing to increase the supply of water but, rather, does much to further decrease its availability to the residents of our county. And in so doing, will, in fact, create two classes of landowners… the “water haves” and the “water have nots.”
This ill-advised, unnecessary and totally pointless effort will cause property owned by the “water have nots” to plummet in taxable value and thereby result in dramatic increases in property taxes for everyone else in the county no matter where you live.
Another prime example of an unaccountable and out-of-control government is the ever on-going saga of the Rayonier property. As we enter the 15th year of a three-year clean-up program, we still have 75 acres of prime waterfront property laying dormant and unproductive while paper shufflers at the Department of Ecology continue to vacillate, procrastinate, fluctuate and contemplate – but never facilitate – an end to this situation.
These are but two examples of an over-reaching and unrestrained bureaucracy that governs from afar and attempts to micromanage our lives and thereby restrict some of our most basic freedoms. You want more?? Check out the Shoreline Management Program (SMP), the Combined Sewer Overflow program (CSO), Storm Water Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWM) and many other “alphabet” programs that are mandated by Olympia.
So what do we do? How do we push back against these faceless, unelected bureaucrats who invade our county from afar and dictate their agendas? Short of meeting these modern-day carpetbaggers at the county line with torches and pitchforks, that is.
Well, first off, pay attention to what is happening!! Educate yourself and then elect people at the grassroots level who will push back against government overreach. There are 43 various positions that are on the ballot this year. They range from city council, port commissioners, school boards, etc. Putting responsible people in these positions will make it possible for Clallam County residents to govern Clallam County without the unwanted assistance from Olympia.
Of course, come to think of it, that pitchfork and torch thing has a certain appeal… Maybe that should be Plan B.
Dick Pilling ,
County Chair
PREVIOUS COMMENTARIES
February 2013 View from the Chair: Your Party needs YOU!
January 2013 View from the Chair: Land of Exceptionalism
I don’t know about you, but all this talk about Obama’s health care plan is making me sick.
Let’s get this straight… the whole plan is based on providing health care to an additional 30 million or so recipients which, on the face of it, sounds like a good idea.
However, we are not going to increase the number of healthcare providers which, incidentally, are retiring in droves without significant replacements on the immediate horizon. Nor will we increase the “waiting time” for services. And we will definitely not institute a method of prioritizing services whereby certain persons will be “more eligible” than others. (Can you say death panels?) Moreover, to top it off, we will actually decrease the overall cost of healthcare.
Really?? Well, maybe… But only after we successfully repeal the law of supply and demand…
Let’s face it… the bottom line is that providing healthcare to many more people will, in fact, cost more money. And if those who are newly added to the healthcare roles cannot or will not pay for these services, someone else will be required to. And that “someone else” is likely to be you!
You see, there are only three payment options for health care. One pays for their own healthcare… or one “freeloads” on the system thereby making others pay for their healthcare… or one pays for their own care and that of the “freeloader” as well.
This last option is the one to be chosen for you in the coming year and this is why your healthcare costs are going to skyrocket. You see, Obama is determined to save you money no matter how much it costs you…
In the past, I have had the opportunity to live in several countries wherein health care is provided without charge to its citizens. And I have to tell you… if you think your healthcare is expensive now; just wait until it is free…
