Kit Merker

Software Executive and Investor, mostly focused on infra software enabling AI, cloud, data, security, and reliability.

[Engin Diri @_ediri]

Casually hanging out with @adamgordonbell , here at Platform Engineering Day!

[Spencer Pratt @spencerpratt]

If you’re right wing and you can’t admit liberals (not communists) are way better at art and design and boutique coffee shops and restaurants, you’re not living in reality.

If you’re left wing and you can’t admit conservatives are way better at running cities and businesses and police departments, you’re not living in reality.

You step inside a beautiful coffee shop in the PNW and think “man, these liberals are great at this stuff…conservatives should take notes.” Then the moment you step outside and trip over a homeless drug zombie shooting up fentanyl on the sidewalk, you think “man these liberals are terrible at this stuff…they should really take notes from conservatives”

Communists make disgusting anti-beauty art, but classical liberals aren’t like that. Put the libs in charge of the coffee shops, put the conservatives in charge of city hall. This is how you get a city that is beautiful, clean, and functional.

If you can’t accept that, you need to check your tribalism. We are never getting rid of each other, so figure out how we strike a balance or else the communists swoop in and take everything from us while we quarrel over stupid bullshit…which is exactly what’s happening now.

[Kit Merker @KitMerker]

Meeting Centipede

I think I coined a new term today. It's when you are scheduled after a series of meetings that include 1 person (think a day of 1:1s for your manager) and the accumulated lateness and burnout gets shit onto you.

Anyone else experienced this?

[Kit Merker @KitMerker]

@PNWConservative Property taxes are supposed to be for roads fire and schools. What is the benefit of the taxes on securities and unrealized gains exactly?

[PNW Conservative @PNWConservative]

Washington voters really voted for economic suic*de

[Kit Merker @KitMerker]

@wmf @QuinnyPig Better late than never

[Kit Merker @KitMerker]

@esjesjesj Bezos

[Ari Hoffman @thehoffather]

WA income tax repeal support jumps in new poll

“These numbers show Washingtonians aren’t fooled. They know this is an income tax designed to be expanded to working and fixed-income families, and that it will capture every person, pension, and nonprofit”

https://t.co/IHXKGvNNTP

[Kristen Mag @kristenmag]

@cruickshank Working families will have to file a state return. Most will pay for software or a service to file that extra return. That’s real money and time. It’s a tax on all of us!

[Joe @JoeKennewick]

It could be argued that it’s possible that overturning the Washington income tax could actually result in more tax collections to the state than if we pay the tax.

The number of people leaving the state with hurt a lot of other tax streams.

I’m voting YES on I-645.

[PNW Conservative @PNWConservative]

Ken Jennings says I-645 is a "$13 billion tax break."

That's FOUR years of projected revenue from a tax nobody pays until 2029.

WA voters have rejected an income tax 10 times since 1934.

Make it 11.

YES on 645.
https://t.co/hRJd9AnQfv

[Gregory Kennedy @gregorykennedy]

If you vote "Yes," it will repeal the illegal income tax.

It will not reduce funding to schools or human services because the tax doesn't go into effect until 2029. So we aren't taking anything away.

Starbucks left because of this. Microsoft has threatened to move jobs out of state. Amazon now employs nearly 15,000 fewer people in Seattle than at its peak. Seattle is second to last in the number of VC deals that closed in Q3.

Holding a small number of companies and rich people hostage, when they have options, is a foolish strategy that is already backfiring spectacularly.

The real solution to our problems is to reduce taxes on businesses and income. Why even tax people under 25 at all? Give families with children a HUGE tax credit. Make this state an incredible place to do business and have a family.

Encourage entrepreneurs to come here.

Get startups, agencies, and smart, motivated people to build here. We can increase overall state revenue if more people make stuff, employ people, and create more value for everyone here.

Not by chasing them out of the state and creating a hostile environment for business.

Remember this: governments and taxes don't make jobs. Entrepreneurs do.

[Isaac Holyk for U.S. Senate @voteholyk]

I'm not sure if everyone realizes that this "Millionaires Tax" will require EVERYONE to file their income with the state and you get an exemption on all income under 1 million.
It only takes one session to lower the exemption amount to $500k
It also doesn't just hit W2 high earners.
It covers married couples, out of state residents, LLC, S-Corp, and pensions.
If you think this doesn't effect you think agian.
Vote YES on I-645

[Kit Merker @KitMerker]

@KYRRadio Changed my community rating from unhelpful to helpful after it got edited!

[Gregory Kennedy @gregorykennedy]

I have to admit, I enjoy listening to these hardcore Seattle liberals grapple with the fact that the new Washington State millionaires tax is having a serious impact not just on the local economy, but on their own livelihoods and jobs.

High-end architect:
"All my customers are leaving."

General contractor:
"They canceled the remodel. Asked if I work in Nevada."

Tech startup bro:
"Umm... where are all the investors?"

Real estate agent:
"No one moving here wants a condo."

Non-profit CEO:
"Where are all my donors going?"

Restaurant owner:
"Our best customers all moved to Las Vegas."

Personal trainer:
"I'm doing Zoom sessions until I find new clients."

Executive recruiter:
"The job is technically in Seattle. The executive is not."

Art gallery owner:
"They’re buying art for their new house in Austin."

High-end relocation company owner:
"Honestly, we're doing great."

[Steve Gordon @stevemgordon67]

Don't be fooled by misleading ballot language. It's an income tax. Vote Yes on 645 to Repeal It.

[Isaac Holyk for U.S. Senate @voteholyk]

Washington State is trending again.
It's never just one issue either.
It's people from all over the state talking about issues from daycare fraud, Ferguson wanting to deploy NG on election day, girls sports, taxes, crime...
Holy crap people.
If this is not an admission that this state is falling apart I don't know what is.

[Jason Rantz on Seattle Red @jasonrantz]

Yes on all three initiatives, Washington. Easiest vote you’ll make.

[Sulla @spqr_sulla]

Imagine your net worth is $200,000. One day an armed gang comes up to your house and demands $10,000.

“Don’t worry!” the leader says. “I’m only going to do this one time. Plus, it’s only 5% of your net worth. What’s the big deal ?”

After he leaves, you call the cops, but they aren’t interested in investigating the matter. “What’s the big deal?” they tell you. “After all, it’s only 5% of your net worth!”

As you’re preparing to flee the city for a place where you cannot be robbed, Gabriel Zucman appears on your doorstep.

“Why are you leaving?” he asks.

“Somebody just robbed me and the police aren’t going to do anything. I want to live somewhere I can’t be robbed!”

“But sir,” says Mr Zucman, “Have you considered the fact that the man told you it was a one-time tax ? Have you considered that you gain nothing by leaving since the tax is already paid ? There’s no economic reason for you to leave anymore.”