Letters To The Editor

Wed., Oct. 9, 1996

WASHINGTON STATE

Locke critic assumptions simplistic

Having just read Lynn Stuter’s (Oct. 5) letter blasting Gary Locke for his so-called “beliefs in all the tenets of the socialistic democratic society,” I question her understanding, as well as that of many others who express similar notions of these “tenets on which our country was founded.” Her understanding of the roots of our system of government has not progressed much past eighth-grade civics.

From the beginning, notwithstanding the egalitarian language expressed in the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and Preamble to the Constitution, government, as articulated in the halls of the executive, legislative and judiciary branches has been the handmaiden of the wealthy class. As such, human rights and social justice were deemed unimportant considerations, subordinate to economic interests. Witness the perpetuation of slavery for almost a century beyond 1776 or the absence of universal suffrage well into this century.

Attempting to rest one’s political value system on the “tenets of our founding fathers” requires that one do more than parrot some simplistic notions of what the framers of the Constitution intended America to be. Do some reading of our history and you’ll see that the actions of these great founders often belied their words.

Those of us who believe government can and should take an active role in shaping society have as much a claim to constitutional integrity as do the advocates of limited government. The only difference is the perception of whose interests government should serve. Steve Lamanna Spokane

Craswell notions serve no one well

Ellen Craswell’s words (“Craswell sees politics as holy war,” News, Oct. 6) leave me appalled and angry.

Our Constitution expressly forbids any religious test for elected officials. Craswell, however, states that “Bible-believing people” should be “making, interpreting and enforcing the law.” Seems suspiciously like a religious test to me.

Although she says government has no place telling people what to believe, she considers “believers” to be most qualified to run the country. I guess those who don’t subscribe to her version of God’s word can live here, but aren’t good enough to participate in our government the “right” way. That sounds ominously like the Orwellian phrase, “All people are equal, but some are more equal than others.” This self-righteous attitude has no place in the United States.

Some Craswellians will take offense at my criticism and pull out the martyr’s flag, claiming to be victims of “Christian-bashing.” They should look for the mote in their own eye. Perhaps they’ll find they bear some responsibility for such attitudes because of their smug superiority and overpiousness.

This self-righteousness contributes to erosion of respect for the term Christian. It does all of us who profess belief in God a disservice.

The Craswellian attitude of “believers” being better able to decide for everyone else is an affront to us all.

Craswellian goals for a glorious Christian takeover of our government are appropriate only in an authoritarian theocracy, not the America I live in. M. Elizabeth Wilde Spokane

Brown vote fits pattern

Lisa Brown voted for the largest tax increase our state has ever seen? That shouldn’t surprise anyone. After all, we’re talking about the same Brown who made several visits to Nicaragua to show her support to the communist Sandinista regime.

Tax-and-spend liberals are a dying breed. But Brown is proof that there are still a few of the species left roaming the earth. On Nov. 5, I will vote for John Moyer and send Brown back to her academic ivory tower once and for all.

Viva la revolucion - right, Lisa? Lynn Madison Spokane

Change in order for 6th District

The Republicans have abandoned the 6th District. After 40 years of continuous Republican representation in the district, the party has begun to take us for granted.

First, they sent Jean Silver to the Legislature. She was a good corporate servant. In her last year she actually admitted that Washington Water Power Co. was her first priority.

Then, they sent Todd Mielke to the House, where he toadied up to the insurance industry so efficiently that it offered him a job. He immediately abandoned his elected post and scampered to his bosses’ side.

Now, they offer us a young man with little experience in life, none in government and only a firm conviction in the rightness of his fundamental Christian beliefs.

It’s time to abandon the Republican Party. Judy Personett is a moderate Democrat, and she is by far the best candidate.

Personett has the experience and skills needed in the Legislature. She has been a nurse, nursing administrator and educator. Personett understands health care issues. She received her Ph.D. in education while raising a family. She has the business skills, common sense and personality to do the job.

It’s time for a change in the 6th District. Elect Judy Personett to the state representative position 1. Terrence V. Sawyer Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

Let’s admit and deal with racism

Whether you want to admit it or not, racism is alive and well in Spokane. Take the Sept. 28 article, that reported on a fight that broke out among rival school members (“Race called reason woman not arrested”).

The authorities said racism was not the case. Even a simple mind could tell you, as the article was presented, racism was a major factor in the incident.

Racism should not be tolerated in any society. I strongly suggest we Spokanites educate our children not to submit to ignorance. I challenge you to push antiracism education in our public schools.

Let’s face it. We are different, but this should be an appreciation of cultural diversity, not a reason to fight. Brian Crow Spokane

Just-say-no platitudes lame

Claude Lewis, in his Sept. 30 column, claims that even if the CIA did flood U.S. inner cities with crack cocaine, the fault of the ensuing devastation lies with blacks who failed to “just say no.”

Just saying no would be extremely difficult, if not almost impossible, for most people who had been consistently subjected to ongoing, vicious, overt and covert racism that had permeated their entire lives. Cagelike housing projects, crowded, underfunded schools, ketchup as a vegetable, few if any decent job prospects, drive-by shootings, real estate steering and media that portray the good life for everyone with the “correct” skin color all contribute to the rage and despair felt by minorities in the inner cities.

If a black person seeks a few minutes of escape from this grim reality, who is Lewis to judge? Lewis’ column is just another version of this country’s favorite pastime: blame the victim. Margaret Koivula Spokane

Why isn’t freeway trash cleaned up?

I do not understand why Spokane has to have the dirtiest section of freeway in the state.

I just came back from the Tri-Cities. After you leave the city limits of Spokane, there is no litter at all. But from the Sprague Avenue overpass to Barker, there are truckloads of trash, and it seldom gets picked up.

The money to fix our streets has been spent. Has the money to keep the freeway clean been spent also?

How can we attract new people when they drive into Spokane amidst trash? I find it completely disgusting. A.L. Clark Spokane

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Schools should teach, reinforce manners

Ken Bryant’s comments (“Schools shouldn’t teach manners,” Letters, Oct. 4) about School District 81 teaching social skills and manners to students shows that he hasn’t been in a school in years.

Some kids come to school not knowing the words “please” and “thank you,” or how to respect people, the building or themselves. If they are not learning it at home where are they to learn it? If they are learning it at home, the schools ought to continue their learning at school.

Schools want to educate students, not raise them. While most parents are responsible, teachers are being asked to take on more and more responsibilities every year, while some parents do less and less. Betty Foley Spokane

‘Living well’ class sorely needed

It is obvious that many of our nation’s children aren’t receiving home instruction in courtesy, kindness, morals and the respect they should have for others with more education, experience and years beyond their own.

They have a right to know and to understand what is expected of them. Let’s not leave them deprived of the essential skills needed for happy and successful lives. It is important that a living well class be added to their curriculum now. Glory Merkle Spokane

Vote no on initiatives 173 and 177

As a retired educator and a current taxpayer, I am greatly disturbed by the threat posed to our schools and my income by initiatives 173 and 177.

Either or both of these measures spell disaster for our state’s schools. They permit any person who may not have a teaching credential or even a university degree to start a school if he or she has 25 students to constitute a class. There are no education standards to be met so a helter-skelter school would result.

The second negative aspect of these proposals is that I and fellow taxpayers must finance these endeavors. If the initiatives pass, the state would pay for our present school system and these other hodge-podge classes in the state.

I strongly urge every citizen to examine these initiatives carefully and vote no on each on Nov. 5. George I. Werner Spokane

Morals, common sense lacking

In response to the little boy getting expelled from school for kissing the little girl on the cheek, we went through a similar situation last year with our grandson.

He hugged a little boy and told him “I love you.” Horror of all horrors, that was a a big no-no. He was told that he could not say “I love you,” but that he had to say “I like you.” Supposedly, “I love you” might show gay tendencies.

What has our world come to? Our grandson was very traumatized by being told this. I would much rather hear the word “love” coming out of the mouths of babes, instead of that famous four-letter word and such other profanities. Same as preferring a kiss to being called bad names.

Are kids expelled for making fun of children or using bad language? I don’t think so. I can really understand why some parents prefer home-schooling their children. Let’s get back to some old-fashioned morals in our schools and worry a little less about making such an issue out of such innocence in our children. Libby Hunter Springdale, Wash.

BELIEFS

Religion is in our nature

The Oct. 6 article on religion speaks to the innermost being of all people. “The clergy and sociologists of religion say a broad, popular interest in spiritual matters is rising.”

Sales of religious materials in both Christian and metaphysical book stores clearly indicate man’s search for God and for meaning in life. The fact that some of the mainstream churches have declining memberships says that people want something deeper than old thought patterns and rituals.

Mankind is incurably religious simply because of the Creator’s presence in all. Spirituality appears everywhere - in art, music, love of beauty, appreciation of nature, etc. As we honor the divine in all people we see it in ourselves, find peace, and spread peace everywhere. Tom Durst Spokane

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