I-1183, Where Do You Stand?

 

Nov. 8th Election!

I usually don’t talk about politics on my blog, but a particular issue on this year’s ballot has really caught my attention. If you live in Washington State, watch television or use social media regularly you probably guessed it, it’s I-1183!

Those who are voting yes on the Initiative say it will privatize the distribution and sale of liquor in Washington state, and provide hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenues to state and local governments, and benefit Washington consumers, taxpayers and businesses — while strengthening regulations governing the sale of liquor. It also updates some laws regulating the wholesale distribution of wine (i.e. Costco).

Those in favor of a no vote say that one giant corporation is attempting to take over the state’s liquor system in order to make money, which completely ignores last year’s NO vote that over 1 million Washingtonians cast against liquor privatization measures. Their goal? Big corporate profits that jeopardize our public safety and put our communities at risk. They say it as another risky plan that will lead to more underage drinking and driving, since they claim 1 out of 4 convenient stores sell to minors.

Rebuttals???

YES on Initiative 1183 supporters say it will remove state government from the business of distributing and selling liquor – allowing the state to focus on enforcement of liquor laws
Their key focus claims to be on education, health care, and public safety. 

YES on I-1183 —Get the Facts Video

NO on Initiative 1183 supporters say this initiative will authorize—almost overnight—five times as many retailers. That means a nearly 50% increase in consumption, and an even larger increase in problem drinking, according to a Centers for Disease Control analysis. They claim their #1 standpoint is to “protect our communities” and that Initiative 1183 is still too high a price for a little more convenience.

NO on I-1183— Make the Responsible Choice Video

SO WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH??? Or better yet, which outcome would ACTUALLY do a better job at protecting our children and communities?

Naturally, several websites, Facebook groups, and YOUTube videos have sprouted for Washingtonians to voice their raw opinions regarding 1-1183:

Facebook- Yes on 1183

YES ON 1183- WEBSITE

Facebook- NO on 1183

No on I-1183- WEBSITE

I, along with everyone else will be voting and anxiously waiting for the Nov. 8th election, a decision that could have potential huge changes and consequences to our state!

What do YOU think???

The Day After Halloween

Apparently Christmas isn’t the only time for lights, LOVED the creativity and spunk in this video!

On a more serious note, the current “Occupy Wall Street” controversy that has stormed the nation has definitely hit downtown Seattle HARD. Passing by Westlake Center this past Sunday, I was shocked to see  an illuminated jack-o-lantern display taking over the area!

#occupyseattle jack-o-lantern display

#occupyseattle continues to trend on Twitter, and today I received an email as I’ve been part of a local social activism listserve since my freshman year of college. The message read:

Dear Seattle MoveOn member,

Tell Seattle’s Mayor Mike McGinn that First Amendment rights cannot and must not be superseded by local or state law.

That’s why I created a petition to Mayor McGinn on SignOn.org, which says:

We demand that you call off the police and that Occupy Seattle be allowed to exercise free speech and voice its opposition to corporate control by demonstrating in Westlake Park, which is in the city center where the targets of these protests—the multi-national corporations and banks—are located. We demand no restrictions on First Amendment rights to assemble, including attempts to seek protection from the weather, any time—day or night.

The Group has an online petition for people to sign, man would my 1st Amendment Professor at the University of Washington be interested in how the mayor is going to justify his use of police force during what is supposed to be a peaceful protest.

I always take a second the day after major events or holidays to reflect on what occurred the day before, in this example Halloween. Went to Bartell’s to get some snacks today, and was not surprised to already see Thanksgiving and Christmas items taking over the aisles. Guess this is also the best day of the year to actually buy and eat candy, the prices were abnormally cheap!

Day After Halloween Candy Discounts

BUT, flashing back to my sophomore year of college I remembered the two miserable root-canal experiences I had, and opted to not take advantage of the deals, not until I get a job with medical benefits at least lol