The ‘Older Guy’ responds to Dori after Hump Day with Huard

The “Not-So-Old Guy”

Hey Dori, I heard you talking with Brock yesterday. I’m that “Older Guy” who asked about you the night before at Point Defiance. I don’t think I’ve ever been referred to as an “Older Guy” before. I’m only a couple of years older than you, in good shape, very little gray. Watch out, pretty soon he will be calling you an “Old Guy!”

– Don in Lakewood

Run, run, run for governor

Oh Dori, I hope you strongly consider the run for governor. My husband and I moved to Moses Lake 13 years ago because of what we were understanding about how the state was moving left, especially Puget Sound. We live in Grant County, and I’m sure you would have a very welcome vote on this side of the mountains. I have been one of your biggest fans, even back to the Everett Giants days and KING radio. Thank you, Dori, for your platform! Your loyal fan and like-minded friend,

– Marcia in Moses Lake

My husband and I feel that Dori Monson would be a great governor. We’d miss his show, but would benefit more from his leadership. We’re just glad that there are other watchdogs out there to help fill the void. Dori, if you run, we will contribute. We’re independent voters and don’t care what party you pick. Love,
– Janelle in Monroe

Dori, while I completely understand your hesitation to run for governor and join the circus that is Olympia, and as much as I would absolutely hate to lose the three hours of sanity I enjoy in the Dori Monson Show, our state and its residents need your sacrifice. I’ve grown so weary of politicians, particularly in this state. I would have faith that you would be able to withstand the temptations that power tends to offer, and I’d trust that you would have the ability to lead with wisdom and logic. I feel that your hesitation to run is exactly the character trait that makes you an ideal candidate. Most of those who seek office have been jockeying for that position for a very long time; they’ve sucked up to the right people, they’ve greased the right palms. You have not. You’ve worked hard to have a voice, and have been kind enough to share your life and your message with a huge audience. Consider George Washington, the “reluctant president.” He was called to service despite his own reservations about his ability and desire to take the position; he knew that the people sought his leadership and he obliged with a servant’s heart.

Your loyal listener,

– Nate on Camano Island

Run, but don’t make a joke out of it

We love your show, we listen all day, every day, We love your perspective, and the fact that you say you stand with the common taxpayers (middle class) consistently ripped off by government agencies, who, I have to point out, were elected by the common folk you represent. The misguided, misleading, and I must say criminal advertisements try and sway votes from citizens who have concerns, but are ignorant of the facts. We want change, and as I said earlier, we love your show, and we love your perspective. But please, if you don’t plan on making a run for governor, try not to make a mockery of something you say is serious and that listeners think is serious. We would vote for you for sure, just try not to make this a clown show. We love you.

– Jeff in Renton

Run, but don’t talk up Trump

Dori, we grew up at a great time in Seattle (I was in Magnolia, four years ahead). I am a solid independent — I hate Sawant as much as I hate Trump. I would totally support you for governor. I agree with you on almost all issues. However, if you want independents like me, please stop talking so positively of Trump. He is a terrible, cheating businessman, his tax cuts (for the wealthiest among us) have resulted in trillion-dollar deficits in prosperous times, and his lack of thoughtful diplomacy may wipe out the Kurds (not to mention our international trustworthiness). So, please, as a fellow Seattle native, abandon your Trump bromance and I will doorbell for your campaign.

– Brent in Magnolia

Local schools afraid of Halloween

Hi Dori, I was listening to your podcast (from a couple days ago) as I always do each morning when I’m getting ready for the day, and heard the bit about Blakely Elementary banning Halloween. I work as a school nurse for a local district, and a majority of our schools have also ‘banned’ Halloween, but one of the elementary schools I work at still allows it, and even allows Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa decorations during the holiday season. Personally, I am very happy that I get to dress up for Halloween as an adult and celebrate these holidays that brought me so much joy as a child. Thank you for being the voice of reason in the Seattle area. My husband and I love listening to your show.

– M. in a local school district

Missing those trees

Today I drove from Everett to Seattle for the first time in years (I typically take 405. I was amazed and devastated by the razing of all the trees along I-5. I couldn’t believe the destruction that took place for Sound Transit. What a complete waste of resources, shade, and habitat! For what? Absolutely nothing to reduce traffic, traffic times, or commuter issues. On top of that, they were also removing a sound wall. So, some great use of tax dollars there.

– Tim in Bonney Lake

Hey Jenny, take a (Maple) Leaf out of Katie’s book

Whenever my family goes out to eat, we pick a different neighborhood — for example, Wallingford one week, Ballard the next, U district, SLU, West Seattle, etc. We all know the “leaders” in this city are out of touch with the city (do they even own cars?). In response to Jenny Durkan’s big outing to Ballard, maybe she and her family can start the same tradition as our family. I live in Maple Leaf, but feel very in touch with all of our city.

– Katie in Maple Leaf, Seattle

More thoughts on the $435/hour wage

Regarding the $435/man-hour being paid to clean up homeless campsites, in my experience working at Boeing, we often contractually agreed to pay an hourly figure for subcontract labor into the hundreds of dollars per hour. I later discovered that the workers themselves were only being paid about 40 to 50 percent of the total that Boeing was paying their subcontractor firm for their labor. That could be true for the companies contracting with the city for $435/hour — that is the companies themselves could be taking in the lion’s share of the ridiculous hourly wage to clean up the camps. And if so, whose backs do you think those companies are scratching in return?

– Jack in Federal Way

Listen to the Dori Monson Show weekday afternoons from 12-3 p.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Follow @http://www.twitter.com/dorimonson