I'm asking Santa for an early Christmas gift; a truly Non-Partisan King County Council

Dear Santa: 

 

Two years ago the voters of King County decided to strip King County Council of Republican and Democrat labels in hopes that they would work together.  We had high hopes that the Council would work together to tackle the issues of the day; an incredible $40 million dollar budget deficit, and a 4.3% unemployment rate. 

 

Well, two years has passed and instead of balanced budgets, business growth, and lower unemployment; we’ve seen growing budget deficits ($56 million in 2010), new sales, property, and proposed income taxes, and a near 10% unemployment rate.

 

Yet despite the county falling to pieces around us; the “former” Republican’s and Democrat’s continue to act like the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s, voting along party lines; keeping their feud alive.

November 2 all of that can finally change.  For the first time there is a chance that the King County Council will live up to its non-partisan label.  But in order to do that, we need a true non-partisan in the District 8 seat.  Santa, would you please give us Diana Toledo as our next King County Council member?  She's the most qualified so it should be easy, right?

The problem is that there is something of a dichotomy in the way King County voters think.  On one hand, we say we want our leaders to work together; which is why we voted to make King County Council non-partisan.  However, on the other hand we insist on voting our party affiliation; even when we know the candidate is not qualified.

So when a truly qualified Candidate like Diana Toledo runs for a position like King County Council, voters wrestle with the idea of voting for a true “non-partisan”. 

Those in the Democratic Party complain that their candidate just doesn’t have the communication skills to reach across the aisle; that their candidate lacks the ability to provide truly innovative ways of reducing the deficit, decreasing unemployment, and solving the problems our county is facing.  Yet they are afraid to go against the Party and vote for who they feel is the most qualified; Diana Toledo.

On the other side, Republicans demand that Diana pledge allegiance to their causes and sign on to the Tea Party mantra; with some saying they don’t know if they will bother voting at all; thus unwittingly allowing Diana’s opponent to possibly win by a handful of votes.

So I’m writing this letter to Santa; and asking that he remind people that in order to have a non-partisan King County Council, that we must elect non-partisan Candidates, and Diana Toledo’s history of 15 years working with both Democrats and Republican’s shows that she can get the job done.

Having Diana Toledo on King County Council wouldn’t only be a Christmas gift for me, but for you also, and for everyone living in King County.  Diana Toledo is bringing us gifts in the form of 15 years experience targeting wasteful spending in King County, responsible reforms, increase business growth, lower unemployment, more job creation, and lower taxes. 

Don’t be fooled by the political machine who says our only choices are to raise taxes and cut programs; that the status quo is the way to go, or that voting in a partisan politician will turn things around.  It won’t.  Diana Toledo has already put forth real ideas for balancing the budget without raising taxes or cutting essential services, let’s listen to her.

Santa, we don’t need another career politician on the council.  We need someone with front-line experience; with real ideas about how to get the County back on track.  We need Diana Toledo on King County Council.

Thank you Santa, come through for me on this and you can expect extra cookies and milk come Christmas time.

Sincerely,

 

Michael