It's Time for Spokane to Move On

Spokane Mayor Jim West is one of the most hypocritical politicians in America, and he was rightly deposed of his job this past Tuesday. However, it's now time for Spokane to make another decision: where do you want your city to go now?

Jim West is one of the most conservative Republican politicians in our state. He has always been against any support for gays, and, as a member of the state Senate in the 80's, he voted to restrict their rights further. Now he's been outed as a closest homosexual and a hypocrite. Of course, I truly hope that no voter in Spokane recalled him because he was a homosexual. It should have been because he used his office to troll for younger men. It is my sincerest hope that if Jim West had been open about his sexuality, and had not abused his office, that Spokane would have elected him regardless.

But this just shows that for all the Republicans' religious ravings, it clearly doesn't mean anything to many of them. A progressive mayor in Spokane would be best for the city. Spokane needs to move on from this embarassment. They need to find a politician who is honest about who he is and what he stands for. For me, part of being liberal is about being honest with myself and with others. We're all tired of the corruption within the Republican Party.

Spokane, it's time to elect a mayor who shares your values and belief in integrity.

Political Profile: Doc Hastings

Name: Richard Norman "Doc" Hastings (R-WA)
Position: United States Congressman representing the 4th congressional district of Washington state (incumbent).
Background: Born in 1941 in Spokane, Hastings served in the Washington House of Representatives from 1979 to 1987. He was elected to the U.S. House in 1994.

Issues:

• Civil Rights--Hastings has a 0% rating from NARAL and is unabashedly "pro-life." He recently voted on a bill making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. He also received a 7% rating from the ACLU and has voted for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.


• Big Business--Hastings voted yes to award $140 billion in tax breaks to large corporations, supports offshore tax shelters, and has a 97% approval rating from US COC.


• Death Penalty--Hastings is pro-death penalty and has expressed a desire to forbid the right of habeas corpus in death penalty appeals.


• Separation of Church and State--Hastings voted for a constitutional amendment for school prayer and for treating religious institutions the same in considering tax breaks.


• Welfare/Social Security--Hastings voted for limiting welfare to two years and to cut welfare spending, as well as reducing social security payouts.

ProgWA Approval Rating: 0%