Celebrating the Spirit of ‘76, protecting the Spirit of Spokane

POSTED 1 July 2023

Nearly 250 years ago thirteen States of America “and by the Authority of the good People of these colonies” declared “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.“

Grievances in our Declaration of Independence levied against the tyranny of King George III include,

• He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

• He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

• For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments.

• For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

Our Founders, through our Constitution, went to great lengths to establish a separation of powers with checks and balances affording independent branches the authority to ensure against absolute rule by any one body.

And nearly 250 years after our declaratory document was sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, we are called upon to resist the temptations of tyranny and a local fundraising call for a Spokane “full force” governmental “trifecta.”

As priorly posted, Betsy Wilkerson, candidate for Spokane City Council President, penned her own revolutionary document calling on citizens to fund her plans and promises that,

“If we win this race, preserve the Council majority, and help Lisa Brown win her race for Mayor, we can create Spokane's first-ever progressive trifecta. We can enact our values and pass our policies in full force.”

What might Spokane look like under Wilkerson’s (would-be Council President), Lisa Brown (would-be Mayor), Council majority “full force trifecta”?  Referring to those grievances written all those year ago listed above …

Relinquishing Representation: Wilkerson sponsored legislation that denied the duly appointed, nonpartisan volunteer citizen Spokane Redistricting Board their efforts to pass fair Spokane City Council maps.  This has uniformly been called blatant gerrymandering.

Legislative Bodies at Places Unusual – Distant from the Depository of Public Records.  During the Spokane redistricting process investigation, court documents have revealed that Betsy Wilkerson was party to private late-night strategy emails with other council members and her campaign donors to manipulate the public process.

For Taking Away Our Charters.  Wilkerson, current Council President Breean Beggs and other members of the current council majority have consistently chipped away at our Strong-Mayor form of government enacted by the vote of the People in 2001.  Just one example is illuminated in a 2022 report, “Spokane mayor, council president spar over separation of powers.”  Legislation sponsored by Wilkerson and Beggs is predicted, “On Monday, the council will consider an ordinance to transfer the power to make decisions for police precincts or offices, fire stations, utility facilities and community centers from the executive to the legislative branch.”

We the people stood against a recent attempt by Wilkerson, Beggs and the Spokane Council majority to legislate for us when we voted against their attempt to place our City Attorney under their purview. 

As citizens of our country, state, county, and city, it is critical that we keep the Spirit of 1776 alive and well, this and every weekend and weekday. 

Yes, a great part of that Spirit is Betsy Wilkerson’s right to raise money to enact a local government “trifecta” that is in opposition to the Declaration of Independence that we celebrate and so many have died for.  And, we celebrate our inalienable rights that protect those who disagree with Wilkerson to educate our fellow citizens about the consequences of the path that Betsy has proposed.

Thanks for checking in on this glorious weekend.  Happy Independence Day!  To you and yours … stay safe, stay hydrated, and stay On the Ball!