About Permanent Defense - Opposing Tim Eyman & Voters Want More Choices

Discover more about Permanent Defense by reading more about us and our mission. We invite you to contact us with your questions and comments.

THE HISTORY OF PERMANENT DEFENSE

Permanent Defense was first founded by Andrew Villeneuve in February of 2002 to oppose Tim Eyman, Permanent Offense, and Initiative 776. Its founding came on the heels of Eyman's admission that he had pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars of his supporters' donations for his own use, and lied about it.

In its early days the website had very few sections, including Essays and Critics' Voices, but continued to expand and add more pages and information. After Eyman's Initiative 776 qualified for the ballot, its founder resolved to continue its mission until Eyman was out of the initiative business.

It was accepted into major search engines such as Google, MSN, and Alta Vista in the summer of 2002. It was subsequently accepted and listed in the Open Directory Project and can now be found on almost every web directory or search engine on the World Wide Web.

In the fall of 2002 Permanent Defense formed a partnership with other groups to form the NO ON I-776 Campaign to reach a common goal- defeat of Initiative 776. Although its first mission, the defeat of Initiative 776, was unsuccessful, it remained committed to informing voters, stopping Tim Eyman, and promoting real tax reform and relief for Washingtonians.

In 2003 Permanent Defense worked together with Taxpayers For Washington's Future and David Goldstein to defeat Initiative 807. I-807 was defeated in July of 2003, ensuring an Eyman-free November and a victory for Permanent Defense and other Eyman opponents. 2003 also saw the debut of its e-newsletter for supporters and members - Extra! - and a sixfold increase in membership.

In 2004 Permanent Defense again joined forces with Taxpayers For Washington's Future and David Goldstein to fight Initiative 864, a 25% cut in property taxes, which would have devastated public services. The initiative was defeated in July of 2004, and gave Permanent Defense its second great victory.

In the autumn of 2004, Permanent Defense rededicated itself to the defeat of Initiative 892, which would have greatly expanded gambling in Washington's communities. Members distributed yard signs, flyers, and buttons across the state in an effort to educate voters about I-892. On November 2nd, Initiative 892 was defeated in a landslide, in the third great victory for Permanent Defense.

In 2005, Permanent Defense opposed Initiative 900, charging that the initiative was unnecessary and gave the state auditor's office too much power. However, thanks to nearly half a million dollars in financial help from multimillionaire Michael Dunmire, I-900 made the ballot.

Of greater concern to members, however, was Initiative 912, which also qualified for the ballot. I-912 would have repealed a significant part of the 2005 transportation package and crippled a sound investment in Washington's future.

Deciding that I-912 presented a more significant threat, Permanent Defense's leadership set up a sister organization, Washington Defense PAC, to mount a widespread grassroots campaign to oppose it. On November 8th, 2005, in a landmark victory for common sense and a huge defeat for Eyman, Initiative 912 was rejected. Initiative 900 passed as expected.

In 2006 Permanent Defense worked to help defeat Tim Eyman's Referendum 65 (legalizing discrimination) and Initiative 917 (destroying transportation funding - considered to be the sequel to I-912), neither of which managed to qualify for the ballot. Both triumphs were significant victories that ensured a rare November ballot free of measures sponsored by Eyman.

Permanent Defense has appeared in numerous media outlets, most notably the Associated Press, the Seattle Times, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and KOMO AM 1000 Radio, and has been invited to speak at community debates. A history of Permanent Defense's appearances in the media can be found here.

Well into the future, Permanent Defense will continue opposing senseless right wing initiatives, advocate for a higher quality of life in Washington State, and carry on the fight for tax reform.

MISSION STATEMENT

We will work to oppose Tim Eyman and fight right wing initiatives, advocate for real tax reform, promote the value of public services, and the consequences of cutting taxes, in every appropriate means through a multitude of media, primarily the Internet.

VISION STATEMENT

To aid voters and alert taxpayers by providing them with information about the consequences of cutting taxes, promoting the understanding of public services, and highlighting the need for a balanced tax system.

VALUES & GOALS

To oppose harmful right wing initiatives that endanger the health and future of the state of Washington.

To expose the manner in which Tim Eyman and his campaign deceive taxpayers and voters with lies, sound bites, and slanted information.

To maintain a website opposing Tim Eyman and his ideas.

To collectively oppose Tim Eyman and his political committee, challenging his ideas and criticizing his lack of understanding public services.

To support the organizations Eyman aims to destroy, notably Sound Transit and other agencies.

MEMBERSHIP & POLICIES

Permanent Defense welcomes any Washingtonian who shares its mission, vision, values, and goals to join. Members are not required to raise money, to contribute to the website, or even participate in sanctioned activities, though members are highly encouraged to do so. Learn more about joining us.

Permanent Defense strongly believes in the goal of Creative Commons and has granted permission to site visitors to reproduce textual content, under certain conditions. See the Creative Commons license for more information.

Permanent Defense's Policies and Terms of Service can be found here.