JASON RANTZ

Do progressives care more about great sandwiches than workers?

Nov 12, 2014, 1:56 PM | Updated: Nov 13, 2014, 8:26 am

Oh it feels like just last week, I devoured a tasty Cuban roast sandwich from Paseo: the chunky tender pieces of pork, the huge caramelized onions, the tangy sauce on that toasted bread.

Actually, it was last week I had one.

I’ll always remember that experience – and I’ll have to, because, as you heard, the wildly popular Paseo has closed. They posted a sign on the door saying it’s due to “unfortunate circumstances.” They thanked their loyal customers for all their support and it’s exactly what they’ll need if they hope to ever reopen and have customers again.

There’s been a lawsuit filed against the owners of Paseo that some are suggesting may be the real reason behind the closures.

As reported by MyNorthwest.com, several employees allege the owners cheated them out of wages, refused to pay them overtime, denied them breaks despite making them working 12 hours or more at a time, and then fired them after they complained.

Now, if you go on Twitter or check out the blogs or even talk to fans of Paseo, you’re hearing a ton of outrage and sadness. But not necessarily over the allegations of worker mistreatment. The outrage and sadness are coming from folks who just can’t eat their Paseo sandwich anymore.

The progressive folks over at the Stranger seem to poo-poo the allegations against Paseo; they treat the allegations as an insignificant aside.

Paul Constant, who likes to tell us how evil and dumb Republicans are and how progressives like him are so much better than us all because they care more, makes a note that they’re being “sued for wage theft,” but focuses on how darn good the sandwiches are! He wrote: “[E]very time I visited Paseo, I had to wait in a very long line… And for good reason! I’ve said on multiple occasions that Paseo is home to the best sandwich in Seattle. Dan Savage loved that sandwich. Everyone loved that sandwich. And now it is gone.”

How poetic.

Ansel Herz treats the allegations with kid gloves – in a way he’d never treat it if the allegations were being leveled against, say a big corporation or councilmembers and members of Congress he doesn’t like. He writes: “The truth is we don’t know why Paseo closed. We couldn’t get through when we gave them a call, and employees quoted so far in the media have been tight-lipped about the reasons.”

In a rare case of being fair to the accused, he says, “We also know that Paseo Caribbean Food Inc. denies all the allegations, according to documents it filed in King County Superior Court.” He also allows them to present part of their defense. Something he didn’t pretend to care about when covering the Westlake security guard who allegedly pepper sprayed a passerby.

Even more out of character, Ansel is looking into the immigration status of the workers – something progressives usually say is irrelevant and just a way to attack “others.”

Normally, progressives aren’t so understanding, but apparently their values can be pushed aside for a good sandwich.

Jason Rantz on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to jason rantzTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 3-7pm toThe Jason Rantz Show.

Jason Rantz Show

Jason Rantz

Burien lawsuit...

Jason Rantz

Exclusive: City of Burien sues King County for breaking contract in homeless camping ban

The City of Burien filed a lawsuit against King County for its refusal to enforce a homeless camping ban that was lawfully adopted.

16 hours ago

Image: The Stevens County Sheriff's Office says it recently received an odd call from a Sasquatch h...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Sheriff’s office asked legality of hunting Sasquatch in Stevens County

A Sasquatch hunter had an interesting question for the Stevens County sheriff. Is it legal to hunt Sasquatch?

1 day ago

Image: Children bike past Wilson Elementary in Spokane....

Jason Rantz

Rantz: ‘Racist’ Spokane elementary school’s ‘slaves and hobos’ ignites controversy

After a teacher told students they could dress as "slaves and hobos" for an event, the Spokane NAACP cried foul.

2 days ago

Images: At left, Bellevue Police Department Officer Kevin Bereta is seen in his uniform. At right, ...

Julia Dallas

Bellevue officer injured in VP Harris motorcade recalls road to reclaiming benefits

Bellevue Police Officer Kevin Bereta's life changed while he was on VP Kamala Harris' service detail during her visit to Washington.

2 days ago

permanent supportive housing...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: You’re being lied to about permanent supportive housing in Redmond

Redmond residents rightly push back against permanent supportive housing as a solution for the homeless, as Seattle media get in the way.

3 days ago

WA State Attorney General Bob Ferguson campaigning.  (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: On crime, Bob Ferguson campaign made its first massive blunder

The Bob Ferguson campaign wants you thinking his top priority is crime. His entire political history says otherwise.

4 days ago

Do progressives care more about great sandwiches than workers?