For millions of Washingtonians, the economic crisis is the worst event of their lives. They have lost jobs, homes, health insurance, opportunities for their children and seen their skills deteriorate while slowly losing their sense of self worth. Two weeks ago the Seattle Times ran an article confirming our state's high U-6 unemployment rate. The U-6 rate is the combined measure of the unemployed still be seeking a job and those who have stopped looking. Today it stands at 17.3% in our state.
I know a man who had been looking for a job for nearly two years. He has a young family and he managed to keep their home by working side jobs and chipping away at his savings. Over time, despondency set in and it was evident that his sense of self worth was slowly declining. Perhaps you know someone who has had this experience and found a job. But many remain jobless and underemployed.
In Washington State, small business employs over 95% of all workers. Yet this same segment of employers--key stakeholders in any future economic success--have no voice in Olympia and have been disenfranchised under the current
majority.
The leadership in Olympia has much to answer for in its lack of priorities over the
last three legislative sessions. It has failed in setting a path to economic
prosperity for Washington State, instead attempting to raise taxes and increase
entitlement spending--against the will of the voters. My opponent has supported
this platform in its entirety; it is his commitment to his party to retain the
status quo and keep Olympia moving in the same direction.
The dilemma of our generation is fiscal and economic. I entered this race challenging the incumbent from my own party and will continue that challenge of failed practices in Olympia. There is too much focus on politics, rather than solutions. The rigid belief that the hand of government is the only way to deliver solutions must be exchanged for government's partnership with the private sector. We must enlist the help of the small business community to help our citizens obtain the dignity that a job can bring.
As we enter the general election season, my commitment to the voters of the 5th District is a campaign focused on our shared values and the policies that will bring prosperity back to Washington State. We cannot settle for a food fight, when a serious discussion about policy is in order. I will communicate my vision and policy positions clearly as we head to the general election.
