"I think of the state as a public company, and I am a shareholder—and . . . I want things done differently."

EYMAN DOES, GEOV WHINES

Never have I heard a person whine more about what one person has done for the citizens of this state. Geov Parrish's article about Tim Eyman's successes misses an important point ["The Toll-Free Call," Nov. 20]. Initiative 695 told the elected kakistocracy that we wanted $30 tabs. Did we get them? No. Since the pols didn't listen, this plebiscite told them again in no uncertain terms by passing I-776 that we want $30 tabs.Will they listen this time? Maybe. Parrish writes, "Thus, pols have learned never, ever to advocate for more money for those programs. Raising taxes is something almost no prominent, re-election-minded official from either party even thinks of doing. . . . " I do not disagree. However, perhaps instead of presenting us with dishonesty and sophistry, they should be direct. If they need money for a project, tell us EXACTLY what it is and what it will cost, then ask for EXACTLY that money. If we think it is worth it, we will fund it, through taxes, bonds, or whatever is proposed.

We are tired of having elected officials mismanage anything pecuniary, and we don't trust them any longer (did we ever?!). Tim Eyman has given them a chance to ameliorate the situation. If it takes us passing initiatives for the next decade, so be it. At least Tim's doing something about it. All I hear Geov doing is complaining.

Timothy Benham
Redmond

MEETING VOTER DEMANDS

I would like to respond to some of the issues raised in Geov Parrish's article "The Toll-Free Call" [Nov. 20]. I have voted for most of Tim Eyman's initiatives, the first being I-695. I was working for a local city government at the time, and I remember the gloom-and-doom feeling that if I-695 passed, it would be mass chaos and no city government. Last I heard, the city workers were still fat and happy with their nice-paying union jobs. The limited- taxation supporters have heard that same rhetoric with every Eyman initiative, and yet the bloated state government is still there in all its billion-dollar-budget glory. I am going to vote for I-800, and here is why. The state government has a budget that would make a lot of publicly traded companies envious; yet there are no performance audits to make sure the work is on time and on budget, and they never have to be audited by an external auditor (as publicly traded companies, no matter how large or small, have to be). I think of the state as a public company, and I am a shareholder—and with my votes I have told the "board of directors" (Legislature) and the "CEO" (governor) that I want things done differently. Give the voters what they want, good or bad, and then give us the power to change it. If I-800 truly slows the government down to the point where nothing gets done, then we will correct it. Have some faith, Geov; the voters might actually know what they are doing.

Andrew Johnson
Everett

STOP YOUR SPEW

After a monorail victory that was almost spoiled by lies spewed by the opposition, I think you naysayers should take the advice of the Republicans following the 2000 presidential election and "get over it!" ["Monorail on a Fast Track," Nov. 20]. The Seattle Weekly should shut up while we proceed to build the best transit system in the country!

Nathan Morse
Seattle

(BAR)HOP ON BOARD!

With the prospect of a shiny, new monorail terminus probing into my West Seattle/ Morgan Junction neighborhood, a new level of barhopping is opened to my sudsy friends and me ["Monorail on a Fast Track," Nov. 20]. Thanks to the generosity of enough Seattle voters to matter, soon the shopworn local taverns can be exchanged for the bright lights of Ballard's Tractor Tavern and Sunset Bar. There will be no need for expensive taxi rides, tedious Metro bus connections downtown, or killjoy designated drivers. Buoyed by the increased taxes from the 75 percent of Seattle residents who won't have this link but whose bus service will be cut back, nighthawks of Ballard and West Seattle will soon have new bar stools to conquer.

Maurice Regnier
Seattle

A MAJOR ASH-HOLE

[Re Mossback, "Springtime for Hitler?" Nov. 20]: Remember everyone bitching out the NRA when they complained about U.S. government "jack-booted thugs"? As usual, they were right, and not just about overseas thuggishness. Here at home the populace is one ashcroft* away from experiencing the kind of treatment one suffers while on probation: report every month under threat of imprisonment and fine; totally open financial records; no freedom of movement; no Second, Fourth, or 14th Amendment rights. . . .

*Webster's: ash^*croft [O.E. azhkrauft, the act of beheading a peasant] (1) the process of losing one's civil liberties (2) the loss of one's rights and property without due process (3) having one's sexual organ(s) amputated (4) all of the above.

Jay Kridner
Seattle

WHAT HERMANN SAID

Wonderful and truthful article [Mossback, "Springtime for Hitler?" Nov. 20]. Does this quote remind you of what is happening now? "Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of their leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked and demonize the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger."—Hermann Goering (Nuremberg trials, 1946)