October
26, 2004 - Voting Depending on your tolerance for foul language you may enjoy their justification for their endorsements (I did, and I know in my heart that Dan Savage wrote that intro).
For me the most difficult choice on the ballot was the monorail recall... On the one hand Seattle is in desperate need of a better public transportation system, a few days in Japan will highlight just how shoddy our bus system is. On the other hand... A monorail? Sure we get points for being unique, but how much is the Seattle's style going to cost us in the future? I'm of the opinion that choosing a system with widespread use (i.e. a train with two rails) would cost far less to maintain, expand, and improve... We gain no style points, but wouldn't it be great if you could get on a train in Ballard and ride it all the way to Tacoma? Less likely to happen with a monorail... Which is why I have voted against the monorail in the past - right idea, wrong product (I feel like an old man endorsing a reliable family wagon over a beautiful sports car).
To add to the dilemma this time around is the backwards manner in which the measure was brought to the ballot - again (this will be the third time). The not so unfounded rumors are that the recall measure was funded by shady business owners with a vested interest in the monorail failing, and the measure was put on the ballot by paid signature gathers.
Do I endorse shady special interest political maneuvering by once again voting against the monorail, or do I support the will of the people by voting for the monorail, a measure that they have already passed twice?
I voted against it again, but feel as though my integrity has been compromised by the man.
