DORI MONSON

Why I won’t give up on Seattle

Jul 19, 2013, 1:17 PM | Updated: Jul 20, 2013, 8:08 am

From Friday’s edition of The Dori Monson Show

You get what you deserve as a voter. And the people of Seattle, sadly, have deserved Mike McGinn for the last three-and-a-half years because the people of Seattle voted him in.

You’re going to have to deal with the gridlock anytime. You’re going to try to drive around the city with all the lanes that have been ripped up for his bicycle buddies. You’re going to have to deal with that for years to come.

You’re going to have to deal with the fact that he’s keeping jobs out of the city.

But that’s what the people of Seattle have voted for.

I had some McGinn supporters who were saying yesterday, “You don’t like Mike McGinn? You don’t like Seattle? Why don’t you just shut up and move?”

I’ll tell you why: first of all, the reason I don’t shut up is because I’m passionate about this city. I was born and raised in this city. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to move and work elsewhere. The reason I don’t move?

I love it here. I love the city in which I was raised.

But I don’t recognize a lot of this city. I don’t recognize the values that were a part of the hard-working culture of the city as I was growing up.

This was not a “let’s use government to take as much from other people as we possibly can” – that was not the value of Seattle. And I’m not going to shut up about it.

This is every bit as much my city, and probably more my city, than most of the people who live here. Because I’ve lived here my whole life – born and raised on the mean streets of Ballard.

This city has values that are like a bunch of leeches; when people say we’re going to use the power and force of government to try to grab as much as we can… Look at what’s happening in Detroit right now. You look at the extension of that mind-set, you look at what happened when government – a one party government – and labor unions collude to just get as much as they can for the politicians to continue power and for the labor unions to grab as much as they can. (In Detroit, it’s more the government workers.)

That’s why I don’t shut up about this. Because I do love this city, and I do love this region. But the values of so many people, the values of people who think you should be able to flip a hamburger for $15 an hour…

The values of somebody like Mike McGinn, who says, “I’m going to make Whole Foods pay $15 an hour even though we have a bunch of my city employees who make less than that.”

And McGinn says, “Well, those are entry-level jobs and they have a chance to work their way up in city government.” The same thing is true at Whole Foods, but what’s good for you is not good for them.

That’s why I don’t shut up about this.

Taken from Friday’s edition of The Dori Monson Show.

You might also be interested in:

Mayor McGinn inflicting more damage on our city, blocking job creation in West Seattle

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn attacks Whole Foods

Whole Foods vs. Seattle Mayor McGinn: Who’s right?

JR

Dori Monson Show

Dori Monson

Dori Monson stage show...

MyNorthwest Staff

Watch: Dori Monson’s ‘What are the Odds?’ stage show

In 2019, Dori Monson hosted a stage show - 'What are the Odds?' - which introduced you to the people who helped shape his improbable career.

1 year ago

Dori Monson welcomes the Moose back to KIRO. Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest...

MyNorthwest Staff

A collection of the all-time best Dori Monson stories

With the passing of Dori Monson, a collection of some of his top stories to remember all the hard work Dori brought to Seattle.

1 year ago

Alaska, fishing...

KIRO Newsradio staff

Listen: Friends, colleagues offer tribute to KIRO Newsradio’s Dori Monson

All day Monday, KIRO Newsradio's John Curley talked to friends, news makers, and more in tribute to Dori Monson.

1 year ago

Dori Monson Shorecrest...

Dori Monson Show

How to support charities reflecting Dori Monson’s values, passions

In tribute to Dori Monson, learn more about how you can support these three charities which best reflect his values, passions, and advocacy.

1 year ago

From left, Producer Nicole Thompson and KIRO host Dori Monson. (Courtesy of the Monson family)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Broadcasters, politicians, coworkers and friends remember Dori Monson

Dori Monson, a longtime KIRO Newsradio host, passed away Saturday. He is remembered by public figures, broadcasters, coworkers, and listeners.

1 year ago

Dori Monson...

MyNorthwest Staff

Longtime KIRO Newsradio host Dori Monson dies at age 61

We are deeply saddened to announce Dori Monson's sudden passing on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at a Seattle hospital.

1 year ago

Why I won’t give up on Seattle