Initiative 1098 spokesbillionaire William H. Gates Sr stars in one of the most adorable, subtly self-deprecating ads ever, released yesterday. If you wanna see a rich old man get dunked, look no further. The fact that he’s trying to get people that can give up more money to help our gaping state deficit-hole.Video after the jump.Of course, yes, I-1098 is far more complicated than just generating more money for the babies among us. But with recent school budget cuts, the ad holds some pretty poignant water–and healthcare is especially important for growing families. Little kids are a pretty easy manipulation tool, but I’m buying this one–of course, it helps that I was already pretty sold on 1098.The one thing I worry about is these adorable ads that 1098 comes out with are more serving as vindication for people who already support it–which would explain why I love it so so much. The richest 1.2%, the ones that oppose 1098, aren’t going to be reached by a TV/YouTube spot, and the general anti-tax set are going to need a lot more than some adorable kids dunking Bill Sr. They’ve heard pretty much all of this before.We’re either going to need a non-philanthropist, conservative spokesbillionaire, or our favorite anti-tax daily the Seattle Times is going to have to pull a 180 to get this passed.
More Stories From This Author
Super Bowl patrols underway as part of ‘Night of 1,000 Stars’ campaign
Emphasis patrols will be active in King County to encourage safe driving
February 3, 2026 1:20 pm
Man found guilty of robbing multiple people in King County
2-hour carjacking spree in 2022 covered Kent, Bellevue, Redmond, Seattle and ended in Renton
By
Joshua Solorzano • January 29, 2026 4:55 pm
Renton man charged in fatal Seattle shooting
The alleged assault occurred at a hookah lounge following a physical altercation.
By
Joshua Solorzano • January 8, 2026 9:13 am
