Bits and pieces

The Nanny State is alive in Washington state and is being kept that way by the Washington State Supreme Court.  In a recent 5-4 ruling the supreme judges ruled that smoking cannot be allowed anywhere people work.  All four female judges of the court sided with that opinion and were joined in the results by Chief Justice Gerry Alexander. 

I’ve noticed over the past few years that when it came to protecting people from themselves, in other words following moms advice, all the female judges join together and support rulings that impact individual activities.   I guess they’re all nannys at heart.

A four-day work week is supported by 82 percent of all state employees surveyed.  Dah!   Anytime you can get paid for full time work and only work four days a week is a good thing.

I see where more and more people and groups are coming out in favor of an 18-year old requirement for driving.  I’ve said for years that 16 year olds aren’t capable of making sound decisions.  Raising the driving age to 18 makes all kind of sense.  And while we’re at it, lets lower the drinking age to 18.  Lets make 18 the age limit for all adult activities.

Lacey Fire District 3  has resubmitted its failed levy lid lift once again this time at a lower rate.   District officials say the tax increase is needed to meet financial obligations of the district.  Opponents (of which I am one) say the fire commissioners have over spent money they had, and provided poor money management.  To give them more money would just continue their free spending ways. 

They have lowered their increase from $1.50 per thousand to $1.36 per thousand.  The levy failed by just a 100 votes the first time around.  I suspect that the commissioners will get their tax increase in November because they lowered the request.

Republicans, who were happy to see that Governor Christine (call me Chris) Gregorie’s lead over Dino Rossi was only 2 percentage points on election night.  But as the vote counting continued, particularly in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, Gregorie’s final  win was 11 percentage points 53-42 percent.  It’ll be a similar count in November.