Two-thirds vote to raise taxes is a common practice

Dear Editor,

Washington voters are being asked to vote once again on maintaining the law that requires two-thirds of the state legislature for any tax increase.
I say once again because we have voted this into law four other times (1993, 1998, 2007, and 2010).
There was a lawsuit put forth against the people by groups and individuals that believe the two-thirds majority is unconstitutional, so to end this debate once and for all the legislature should put this into the state constitution next year.
The two-thirds majority is not uncommon, sixteen states already have it in their constitution and it would stop this continual effort to go against the will of the people.
The Washington budget has a projected $1 billion budget shortfall for the 2013-15 biennium, even though there is a projected revenue growth of $1.5 billion.
Without a two-thirds vote restriction, the legislature is likely to raise taxes considerably instead of focusing on fundamental budget reform and restructuring state spending.
         Todd Welch
Lake Stevens

---

Sanders best choice for Supreme Court Justice

Dear Editor,

As this year’s election approaches, most of the attention in the news has been on the races at the top of the ticket, but I would like to highlight one near the bottom of the ballot: The State Supreme Court Justice.
Who we, as a state, elect as our new Supreme Court Justice can have as much effect in our daily lives as any other elected office.
Your readers should know that Richard Sanders is the best choice for the one contested Supreme Court seat.
Justice Sanders is a former State Supreme Court Justice and wishes to return in order to continue to defend our Constitutional rights.
While on the court he consistently interpreted the law as it was written and originally intended. He does not believe that the Constitution is flexible or open to revised interpretation.  He has a record of interpreting individual rights broadly while narrowly interpreting the government’s powers.
Having a member of the judiciary with such a strong understanding of our rights is a true rarity. Let’s get him back on the bench. Please vote for Richard Sanders.
Bruce Morton
Lake Stevens

---

Gravity racer brought old community together

Dear Editor,

   This is a belated letter about the front page article of the August 22, 2012 Journal. (Croner brothers bring gravity racer ‘home’).
  I want to thank the Croner “boys” (Brian and Matt) for bringing the gravity racer home.  I am from the old neighborhood and was one of the fortunate ones who got to drive the gravity racer down Oak Road Hill.  This 56-year-old “kid” had the time of her life!
 What fun it was to see old friends.  Thank you again Brian and Matt for getting the neighborhood kids together.  Let’s do it again.
Robin Johnson Lowman
Lake Stevens

---

Boys & Girls Club’s golf tourney a big success

Dear Editor,

The Lake Stevens Boys & Girls Club’s annual golf tournament could not have been as successful as it was without the help of so many within the Lake Stevens community.
I would like to thank all of those who participated and especially our generous sponsors who made the event possible with their donations.
Thanks to our title sponsor Rainy Days Caffe and also to Whidbey Island Bank, our platinum sponsor.
I would also like to recognize the following for their generosity and continued support: Bourne Orthodontics, Ace Hardware Lake Stevens, The Big Guys Home Delivery, Inc., Lake Stevens Kiwanis, Zien Automotive Group, Cochran Inc., Lake Stevens Lions Club, Kelli Leese - John L. Scott, Children’s Dental Center, Lake Stevens BECU, Northlake Cottages LLC, CMIT Solutions, Tom Thumb Grocery, Lake Stevens Chevron, Les Schwab Tire Center Lake Stevens, Lake Stevens Ankle and Foot Clinic, Hometown Values Coupon Magazine, Barlow Escrow, AAA Handyman, Jan Larsen- New York Life, Branch Solutions, S. Dan Campbell Attorney at Law and Kona Ice.
Much appreciation to the following for their time on our behalf as well: Brenda Lund, Shannan Moran, Tonya Christoffersen, Megan Bauer.
Daniel Curley, Unit Director
Boys & Girls Club

---

Both political parties can breed ignorance

Dear Editor,

Todd Welch recently quoted Hans Dunshee (Dem-WA) as saying the GOP courts voters who are “isolated, ignorant, and [of] lower income.” If so, the best interests of truth might be served by balancing that viewpoint.
For example: wasn’t it Sheila Jackson Lee (Dem-TX) who, at JPL in 2005, asked if the Mars Pathfinder had taken a photograph of the flag planted by Neil Armstrong, even though they were on different orbs separated by 200 million miles?
And, I’m certain it was Hank Johnson (Dem-GA) whose March 2010 CSPAN video went viral when he queried Admiral Robert Willard about the Navy’s plan to send 8,000 service personnel to Guam, saying in part: “Yeah, my fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize.”
Perhaps Hank slept through the “Island vs. Lily Pad” lecture in the fourth grade.
Johnson handlers did try to spin the remarks, but were no match for Snopes, Hoax Busters, cameras, microphones, and dozens of commentators.
And was it a Republican or Democrat who, in November 2002, proposed spending $2,000,000 for a “squirrel bridge” over a Pierce County highway?
If Mr. Dunshee is looking for a gaggle of cranially challenged people, he need only look past such legislators to the constituents who elected them to leadership positions; foolish acts are rarely isolated.
And before these words cause me to be labeled a “Rich Republican,” be it known this unemployed Independent (who just votes Republican) is the son of two illiterate migrant workers who spent much of his youth hungry, wearing used clothes and living from shack to shack, where the only “running water” was based on how tired I happened to be.
Ultimately though, I chose hard work over government handouts and restraint and education over indulgence and “ignorance.”

Bill Cook
Lake Stevens

blog comments powered by Disqus