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Political Elites are Killing Good Jobs
Politicized NGO pushes ‘Thought Reform’ instead of high-paying jobs.
Activists scuttle deal on the Mandatory Housing Affordability program.
Seattle’s mayor Katie Wilson claims to speak for the working class, however, last week she stopped an opportunity to create many well-paying union construction jobs. Wilson’s decision was influenced by a politicized nonprofit and other activists. It’s the managers in government — and their client non-governmental organizations — who are the real elite dragging down the general standard of living.
Seattle implemented the Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program in 2017. The program requires new commercial and multifamily residential developments to contribute to affordable housing through either a Performance Option (building affordable units on-site) or a Payment Option (paying a fee to the city).
The system did indeed create affordable housing. Once interest rates and construction costs increased, new development became unprofitable and construction virtually stopped.
This stoppage is in the midst of a housing shortage. Responding to this crisis, a coalition of builders recently proposed a two-year break with the MHA — offering an 80 percent reduction in the tax. The idea is to pay 20 percent into the MHA, which is better than the current trickle of funds (considering the virtual halt in construction).
The proposal appeared to be moving forward, until the Housing Development Consortium (HDC), and other activist groups, came out in opposition. This was enough to encourage Mayor Wilson to shelve the two-year break on the MHA payment option. Seattle’s new construction permitting collapse will continue.
Political Advocacy
One goal of the HDC is to increase the production of affordable housing in King County. Fair enough. Then there’s the ideology.
HDC is an activist group. One program they promote is the idea of Race-Based Caucusing . The link will tell you about it. I will instead share an experience from late last year.
America 2026
I was enjoying lunch at a favorite Vietnamese restaurant in South Seattle. About six construction workers, hardhats and all, came in to have lunch. I worked in construction in the late 1980s. I noticed how things had changed from my time with increased ethnic diversity of the worker group entering the restaurant. Regardless of any individual heritage, these guys have the work ethic and developed skills to earn a good wage.
Union wages, including benefits, can add up to $38.00 an hour.
This is why Mayor Wilson’s, along with the activist Housing Development Consortium, decision to halt a path towards more construction is so treacherous. The mayor and non-profit managers will still get their wage, while willing workers must wait on the whims of political elites.
Less construction results in less money for a working class family to make a house payment. It’s less money for a car payment. Tightening family budgets make things like orthodontics for a teenager tougher.
I grew up in a working class, immigrant family and my parents could earn all of the above for our household.
Where’s the Party?
Considering my background, years ago, I was attracted to the traditionally labor-aligned Democratic Party, becoming active in state leadership.
Seattle and Washington were built by union labor with projects financed by capital investment. The impressive Seattle skyline is a result of this.
The Democrats I remember would have stood front and center supporting the temporary reduction with MHA fees to create construction jobs and the working family wages they provide.
Union labor trains starting workers under the apprentice program towards high-paying Journeyman status. This path, under longstanding civil rights legal protections, is open to all regardless of race.
The Ivory Towers have captured our state and Seattle. This is the Democratic Party in 2026, and it’s why I left them. These elites expect unemployed construction workers to experience Thought Reform sessions — run by people with graduate degrees.
It's no wonder why organized trades are moving away from the Democratic Party.
Ideologues have been in charge in Olympia and Seattle for too long. By scuttling the chance to restart construction in the city, these manager elites have denied economic opportunity for working people. It’s terribly ironic how this travesty is done in the name of the working class.
(Image: Under license ALAMY.)
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