They say that engaging in politics is like watching sausage being made. Last year I got a frightening glimpse of how Democrat Rosemary McAuliffe, Washington State Senator in the 1st Legislative District wanted to gather more meat for the State Sausage Machine.

In March 2011, McAuliffe and two Legislative District 1 representatives held a few town hall meetings. The other speakers were Rep. Derek Sanford (D), and Rep. Luis Moscoso (D).

Sharing their ideas on how to increase state revenues, McAuliffe told the audience that the three big loopholes in state tax revenue were food, prescription drugs and manufacturing. Loopholes? Homeowners are losing equity, food prices are skyrocketing, and jobs are scarce, and she wants to raise taxes?

• Taxing food would most harm the POOR.

• Taxing prescriptions would most harm the ELDERLY AND INFIRM.

• Taxing businesses also hits the consumer, hurting EVERYONE.

Why would she want to hike taxes on the poor, the elderly and infirm? Why hike taxes on every manufacturer? It made no sense. When money is tight at home, we spend less; that is how government should operate. Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe wants to dig deeper into our wallets and purses. We don’t pay enough yet. When will it ever be enough?

The solution to Washington state’s budget problems is in reducing spending, not increasing taxes. If she won’t work to protect us instead of protecting special interests at the expense of the poor, the elderly and the average consumer, then she is no longer working for us, but against us, for the benefit of a few. And that just ain’t right.

It’s time for new faces in Washington state, starting right here in Legislative District 1. Her challenger for Washington State Senate, LD1 is Dawn McCravey. Dawn offers experience, reason, common sense and has the courage to solve state problems, not seek increased taxes for more studies.

Sandy Guinn (R) and Mark Davies (R) are also running in Legislative District 1 to change the tide of excess spending and taxation, and the erosion of property rights. They are challenging incumbents Derek Sanford (D) and Luis Moscoso (D) for Representative positions 1 and 2, respectively. Derek and Luis have, in my opinion failed us, just as I believe Rosemary McAuliffe has done.

Joel Kolbo, LD1 resident