Substance; What’s that?

Dear Editor,
 
When I was a teenager—and already knew everything—I didn’t ask many questions of our society. This was especially true for politics; to my level of understanding, things were pretty self-explanatory.
However, while I think it was brilliant for President Obama to arrange the State of the Union address (a “bully pulpit” if there ever was one) amid the early GOP debates—when he could have a podium and microphone all to himself when a half dozen would-be competitors cut each other to ribbons—one nagging question keeps sticking to the roof of my mind.
Throughout his speech, people kept rising to their feet and giving spirited ovations to his numerous plans for turning around the nation’s financial woes. But while that was an appropriate gesture, which should be afforded any president, he failed to tell us how the promises he was making that night differed from the same promises he made—and on which he was elected—three years earlier.
Even so, I learned two important things from his speech. First, is why the myth of the lemmings is so often associated with certain groups.
Secondly, why my oft-used Churchill quote, “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results,” can’t really be used too much as long as a large number of the electorate suffer from faulty memories and are more apt to be motivated by feelings than facts.
 
Bill Cook
Lake Stevens

 Paul doesn’t have enough support to win

Dear Editor,

In regard to a letter on February 29 about Ron Paul being the only person who can restore sanity to the White House, the letter writer is ignoring a glaring fact:  He has no chance to win.  
That is the bottom line.  He is far too "radical" for his own party, and he doesn't have the delegates right now to compete with Mitt Romney or even Rick Santorum.  
Sure his base of supporters is enthusiastic, but that can only take you so far.  

Jeff Swanson
Everett

 Reardon should take a leave of absence

Dear Editor,

The Snohomish County Council passed a resolution to ask County Executive Aaron Reardon to take a leave of absence while the investigation into allegations that he mis-spent county funds during a six-year affair with county social worker, Tamara Dutton, and campaigning on county time but Reardon is refusing to take the leave.
As usual Executive Reardon shows no leadership, he refuses to take responsibility for his actions which has now made the office a joke.
Reardon needs to step aside and allow Deputy County Executive Gary Haakenson to perform the duties for now. Reardon is not effective in the position and this will only hurt the county as we attempt to attract more businesses.
I am also disturbed that Councilman Somers announced that the council would be seeking the resolution instead of allowing the council chairman, Brian Sullivan, to inform the media.
It would appear that Councilman Somers is keeping his name in the front and the "Council Leader" so he can possibly get the Executive position if Reardon is removed.
 
Todd Welch
Lake Stevens