SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Dori: Unemployment skyrockets, but ridiculous government ‘work’ continues

Apr 23, 2020, 5:43 PM | Updated: 7:52 pm

government workers, essential...

Workers spotted weeding in Colman Park during the coronavirus stay-at-home order. (Photo courtesy of a Dori Monson Show listener)

(Photo courtesy of a Dori Monson Show listener)

As I’ve said from the very beginning, I believe in mitigation. I have supported the stay-at-home policy as an important element in tamping down the spread of COVID-19.

What drives me crazy is the inconsistency — and sheer hypocrisy — in how it is being enforced. If stay-at-home is a good policy and necessary for our collective health, then everyone should abide by it. There shouldn’t be exceptions for government workers.

Dori: Gov. Inslee’s temper tantrum press conference

One out of every six American workers has lost their job because of this virus. But those unemployed taxpayers still have to shovel money from their dwindling bank accounts to pay for ridiculous government busy-work.

A listener who has been a great citizen-source for my show over the years took these pictures on her daily walks this week. At Colman Park on Lake Washington Boulevard, this “worker” pictured below was watering ferns and other shrubs the day after the heaviest rainfall that we’ve had in months.

Any normal person looks at this as insanity, but to Jay Inslee, Dow Constantine, Jenny Durkan, et al, it is somehow considered “essential.”

Also at Colman Park on Thursday afternoon, a crew was out weeding. Well, two were weeding, one appeared to be supervising. In Washington these days, fishermen can’t fish but weeders can still weed — as long as they work for the government — we can’t have any private-sector weeding going on.

As a side note, you may remember last fall when a listener sent me pictures of the office at Mt. Baker Housing. Every day, the staff at this low-income housing development watch CNBC on their flat-screen TV. While many American families are getting economically wiped out, those who are part of the homeless industrial complex still have to keep a close watch on their portfolios.

This week, I’ve heard from unemployed barbers, manicurists, wedding planners, and dozens of people in other industries, some of whom don’t qualify for bailouts. They’re broke. They’re scared. They’re heartbroken.

Dori: Inslee’s hateful double standard toward out-of-work families

They still have to pay taxes to subsidize the worker watering ferns and the weeders. I still believe in mitigation, but the private/public double standard proves our politicians don’t truly believe in their own stay-at-home policy. I absolutely understand the growing anger in our region. These pictures are another example of why our unemployed, taxpaying citizens are sick and tired of Inslee, Constantine, and Durkan spitting in their faces.

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

Katie Wilson gun violence plan seattle...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘You’re probably going to get Care Bears showing up’: Jake rips Seattle mayor’s gun violence plan

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson released a gun violence plan that would move $5 million to the city's CARE Department. Jake thinks it landed with a thud.

14 seconds ago

chelan hills fire suspect (1)...

Julia Dallas

3 more suspects arrested in connection with deadly Chelan Hills Fire that burned more than 10,000 acres

The U.S. Marshals Service located and arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the deadly Chelan Hills Fire.

41 minutes ago

fall city abuse family...

BRANDON THOMPSON, KIRO 7

‘Like the life was squeezed out of them:’ Family describes alleged abuse at home where 5 were killed

Two family members testified that their suspicions of mistreatment of the children living inside the Fall City Home, where five people were killed, were confirmed by the two surviving children.

55 minutes ago

This image provided by the National Library of Medicine shows part of an advertisement for Clark St...

Associated Press

One thing that hasn’t changed in 250 years: Americans’ willingness to get suckered

NEW YORK (AP) — America: land of possibility. And also: land of suckers. Our enduring belief that anything is possible — whether based in reality or not — has helped the nation become the world’s largest economy. It has also led us to fall head over heels for hucksters and charlatans, again and again. If […]

1 hour ago

Ashish Rajurkar, a research scientist at the Salk Institute, digs out root samples from genetically...

Associated Press

Scientists hope deeper-rooted soybeans can withstand climate extremes and store more carbon

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Research scientist Ashish Rajurkar kneels in the dirt, lifting a large clod of soil tangled around a soybean plant. He knocks away pieces of earth from the plant’s roots, which slope straight down instead of out to the side like typical soybean plants. Researchers hope roots like these could help crops […]

1 hour ago

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, right, speaks as Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., left, listens during a news ...

Associated Press

College sports bill inches ahead in the Senate even as Congress punts other issues

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has struggled to pass major legislation this year, putting off debates on annual spending, defense, cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. But in its final weeks in session as the midterm elections approach, the Senate can agree on doing one thing — addressing college sports. The Senate voted twice this week to move […]

2 hours ago

Dori: Unemployment skyrockets, but ridiculous government ‘work’ continues