Offering frequent news and analysis from the majestic Evergreen State and beyond, The Cascadia Advocate is the Northwest Progressive Institute's unconventional perspective on world, national, and local politics.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Tell Rob McKenna: Washington's treasury must not be used to deny its people care

If Rob McKenna's plans to join a last-ditch Republican scheme to block the Patient Protection and Affordable Act in federal court anger you, you should take a moment out of your day today to let McKenna's staff know how you feel.

Here's how to get in touch with McKenna's office:

Web contact form
Telephone: 1-360-753-6200
Complaint Line: 1-360-664-2162
Fax: 1.360.664.0228
Facebook group: Washington Taxpayers OPT OUT of Rob McKenna's lawsuit
Sign Fuse's petition

Remember, Rob McKenna is justifying his actions by claiming he's trying to protect Washington's citizens. McKenna's office needs to know that he is misrepresenting the people of Washington by committing the state's resources to this lawsuit without having been asked by the governor or the Legislature.

McKenna claims he can do as he pleases because he's an independently elected official. But the Constitution says he's supposed to act as the legal adviser to the state's elected leaders. None of them asked him to file this lawsuit. Governor Gregoire and Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler have already made it plainly clear they oppose McKenna's actions and he is acting without their support.

McKenna didn't even bother to notify the governor of his ill-conceived plans, which would have been the courteous thing to do.

Then again, it shouldn't be much of a surprise that McKenna's understanding of constitutional law is lacking. He's the coauthor of an unconstitutional Tim Eyman initiative. Unfortunately, he was able to successfully fool. Washington's voters into electing him to the post of Attorney General twice.

Now, however, it looks like he's finally losing his mojo.

Comments:

Blogger Nilus said...

McKenna may be on a 'fools errand', but he is not required to wait for the executive or legislative branch to seek his legal opinion. He has the authority to act on his own. Ask Chrissy - she knows. She joined the suit against the tobacco companies of her own volition.

March 23, 2010 1:53 PM  
Blogger threepizzasguy said...

Ah but I disagree. Why does the Fed Govt have the right to demand anyone buy anything, insurance or otherwise? That right is left to the states. It is the states, not the Feds, who require auto insurance among other things. And so it should be with health insurance. Each state should set its own laws based on the needs and desires of its people. And *that* is what McKenna is arguing for. He is NOT fighting to take away anyone's health care, only to have it placed in its proper jurisdiction(s).

March 23, 2010 10:47 PM  

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