Mathison was 'spot on' on viaduct

By Ralph Nichols

"Big-government conservatism" will probably end up on the ash heap. The [Republican] party will have to relearn what it used to know: A strong government is a limited government."

Rich Lowry

National Review

Despite what some readers may believe, Editor Mathison and I don't shoot paper clips at each other all day.

In fact, we actually work quite well together, sharing only two significant differences. Eric is a Cougar; I am an adopted Husky. And he is a liberal, while I -- once a political prodigal -- have climbed back up from liberalism."

These differences diminish in no way the fact that Eric is a likable, genuinely nice guy. In fact, I consider him my Alan Colmes.

And just as Mr. Colmes interacts with his broadcast partner, so Eric took a few lively jabs at me last week "for being grumpy." He was "spot on" to a notable degree.

Like many conservatives, I am underwhelmed by the propensity of President Bush for increasing rather than decreasing the size and domestic-spending practices of the federal government.

Nor are we pleased with his lax approach toward sealing our porous borders and enforcing immigration laws.

But Eric, again like Mr. Colmes, also made observations that were closer to Democratic Party talking points as conveyed by the "mainstream media" than they were "enlightened" reflections from the Left Coast. To wit:

"Bush had been told before Hurricane Katrina that New Orleans" levees may break." What the president actually was told was that the levees could be "topped";” the Associated Press even "clarified" its story -- on a Friday night -- noting he had not been told they could be breached.

And, I am "concerned about election irregularities in King County, but not Ohio or Florida." That's not unreasonable after a series of dubious post-election ballot counts in King County gave us a governor whose primary "legislative successes" have been presiding over dramatic increases in state taxes and spending.

Yet trumped-up allegations in Ohio and an ex post facto decision by a Democrat-dominated supreme court in Florida, which usurped the power of the legislative branch, hardly qualify as "election irregularities." (Note: every recount conducted by the liberal media has agreed: Mr. Bush won Florida in 2000.)

And so it goes

By the time the Legislature adjourned last week, the Democratic majority had cast itself as a profile in fiscal irresponsibility by pushing through the largest supplemental budget in state history.

Washington residents can breathe a sigh of relief that they went home a day early, especially since their spending spree was equaled by an appalling lack of common sense.

While Democrats threw our money at education and social programs as though they were the ones who had earned it, they turned their backs on an effort that truly can save lives.

Because it would cost too much, they refused to get tough-- really tough -- on repeat drunk drivers. A felony conviction for a fifth DUI in 10 years is far to lenient with those who maim and kill hundreds of Washingtonians on our streets and highways every year.

It is inexcusable for these big-spending lawmakers to feign concern for fiscal responsibility in their refusal to protect the public by committing tax dollars to a program that actually can work.

Eric was also "spot on" in his criticism of the latest proposed multi-billion dollar boondoggle for Seattle -- a tunnel to replace the aging Alaskan Way Viaduct. And there are compelling arguments against building a tunnel beyond those he noted.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels wants to siphon funds from needed transportation projects for a tunnel that would double as the city's new seawall along the Elliott Bay waterfront, which it has long neglected by spending money elsewhere.

Of greater concern is the impact a tunnel would have on freight mobility, which is essential to the region's economy.

An estimated 25 percent of truck traffic that now uses the viaduct could not use the tunnel, which would clog Interstate 5 and surface streets in Seattle.

Ralph Nichols' views are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Robinson Newspapers. He can be reached at HYPERLINK "newsdesk@robinsonnews.com" newsdesk@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1857.