We’ve voted for Carmela Conroy and the Democratic-leaning candidates on our Washington ballot. We want Democrats to take the House and Senate.
I love and live among conservatives. I care a lot more about how we’re doing than getting somebody to admit the liberal was right. We can be such fucking assholes about that.
Trump has had nearly two years, with his party controlling Congress. He promised lower costs, peace and a government that worked. The results aren’t good enough.
Border apprehensions fell sharply. The tips deduction gave eligible workers real tax relief. His first-term First Step Act was worthwhile, bipartisan criminal justice reform. He deserves credit for those things. [1][2][3]
He also owns the immigration sweeps, the confrontations and two American citizens dead in Minneapolis. Even Joe Rogan questioned the tactics. People wanted immigration fixed. They had every right to expect it done competently and lawfully. [4][5]
In September, prices were up 3.7 percent over the year, while average hourly pay was up 3 percent. Gasoline was up 34.2 percent. A president can’t control every price. I knew that when Biden was president, too. Trump still has to answer for the costs his tariffs added. [6][7][8]
The Big Beautiful Bill also reduced projected federal Medicaid spending by $911 billion over ten years. Its $50 billion rural health fund runs for five. I’m glad that fund exists. I’m worried about what the cuts will do to our hospitals and families. [9][10]
“I’m not going to start a war. I’m going to stop wars.” That was Trump’s promise. He took us into war with Iran. Russia’s war in Ukraine continues. [11][12][13]
Epstein records have been released. Seventeen state attorneys general say required material is still being withheld while victims’ identities have been exposed. We’re still fighting for the transparency he promised. [14][15]
Meanwhile, there’s time for a ballroom, an arch, fights with reporters and another disastrous appointment. I expected a hell of a lot more. [16][17][18]
His approval has fallen from 47 percent when he returned to office to 32 percent in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll. Just 20 percent approve of his handling of the cost of living. Among Republicans, that number is 48 percent. [19][20]
Here in Eastern Washington, Michael Baumgartner had a chance to push back on the tariffs on Canada. He voted to preserve the emergency behind them. Dan Newhouse, a Republican from this same state, voted to end it, citing damage to Washington agriculture and business. He deserves credit. [21][22]
Baumgartner said Speaker Mike Johnson asked him to keep giving the president leverage. I wanted him standing up for our farmers. [22]
Conroy is calling for an end to the tariff chaos, support for Medicaid and rural health care, and a Congress willing to exercise its authority. She brings experience as a prosecutor and twenty-four years in the Foreign Service. I’m ready to give her the opportunity. [23][24]
I expect her to represent Eastern Washington when that means disagreeing with Democratic leadership, too.
We also voted no on all three statewide initiatives backed by Brian Heywood’s Let’s Go Washington. [25]
Read the question all the way through. “Yes” approves the initiative. If it repeals a law, yes votes to remove that law. “No” rejects the repeal. [33]
IP26-645 would repeal the 9.9 percent tax on income above $1 million, scheduled to begin in 2028, and prohibit state and local income taxes. Our no vote leaves the law in place. The state’s disclosure says repeal would reduce funding for schools, colleges and health care. [27][29]
IL26-001 would reverse the 2025 changes to the parental-rights law, including rules involving student records. No keeps those changes in place. [28]
Your daughter wants to compete on her school’s girls’ team. Under IL26-638, she would need a health care provider to verify that she’s female, based on anatomy, genetics or testosterone levels. Are you okay with that? [34]
I fucking abhor putting girls through that additional scrutiny over a tiny number of transgender athletes. [35] I see far too much room for invasive examinations and abuse. We voted no.
The attorney general prepares the official ballot titles. Campaigns write their sales pitches. Look for the verbs: repeal, prohibit, require. Read what changes and who it affects before you fill in that oval. [26]
Democrats, if you win, fix shit.
People need help with health care, housing, childcare and the cost of living. Trump will still be president. You’ll have to negotiate. Do it. Give Republicans credit when they help. Get a good bill signed and let everybody celebrate it.
Investigate abuses and hold people responsible. Keep it grounded in evidence, with the same rules for everybody.
We’ve had enough schadenfreude. Telling somebody they deserve to lose their health care because they voted for Trump is fucking ugly. I want their lives to get better, too.
I still think we may need a third party. In the meantime, show people in the middle what compromise can accomplish.
We built Executive Dysfunction Weekly for this. The essays, sources and videos are there so you can see how we reached these conclusions. I stand by the case we’ve made. Read it, question it and make your own choice.
Please vote.
I’ll hold Democrats to the same standard. If I start excusing their failures because I voted for them, call me on it. Right here, where everybody can read it.
EDW•
