Eyman: Initiative salesman's snake oil proves harmful

Re: “Anti-tax fever shows no signs of waning,” (TNT viewpoint, 6/27).

Tim Eyman praises his previous work and criticizes the state Supreme Court. The Court failed to support Eyman’s tax restrictions and he wants to replace the justices. We must remember that they are elected for their legal expertise, not their partisan philosophies. Enough said about that.

Let’s look at the state’s standing after numerous years of Eyman’s tax reform. The state has some of the worst roads in the nation. Seattle has the 6th worst traffic in the nation. Families cannot afford college tuition. Western State Hospital is again on the verge of losing its accreditation. It cannot afford to hire the required number of qualified doctors and nursing staff.

The state cannot fund the public school system as required by the constitution and the courts. The Washington State Patrol is underfunded and losing highly competent troopers. We cannot afford to fight the ever growing number of wildfires. Thank you, Tim.

Eyman makes a good living from his initiative business. He is good at it. However, the fact that a snake oil salesman is a good salesman does not change the fact that his tax cure is more harmful than good to those who buy it.

This story was originally published June 28, 2016 at 10:33 AM with the headline "Eyman: Initiative salesman's snake oil proves harmful."