Letters To The Editor
5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Nethercutt seniority, success admirable
I’m extremely glad George Nethercutt has chosen to run for re-election. I want a strong voice to represent me in Washington, D.C., and I want the best interests of Eastern Washington defended by a legislator who has earned respect and influence among his colleagues.
I also want someone who exhibits humility and dignity in the midst of all the negativity that inevitably rises to the surface during an election year and has the commitment that Nethercutt has shown during the last six years.
I find it frustrating and alarming to think just because a public servant reassesses his goals and visions, yet remains an effective leader who continues to represent the issues important to his constituents, the voters would even consider electing someone else with a weak platform and unproven record.
Furthermore, I don’t consider eight or 10 (or more) years in an elected office as cause for automatically labeling someone a “career politician.” Don’t we typically admire someone who has achieved success and longevity in a chosen profession? During several opportunities I had to visit with Nethercutt, not once did I ever feel his sights were set on achieving some magical number of years in office. Rather, he is solely focused on putting all his energy into representing the 5th District to the best of his ability.
Nethercutt did nothing worse than re-evaluate what is best for today and the future and to admit that perspectives can change. Just like my friend who said he’d never drive a Dodge. Guess what he drove up in recently? Shannon Kelly Colfax, Wash.
Nethercutt turns a cold shoulder
George Nethercutt is blanketing the media with campaign ads touting his efforts to advance the interests of 5th District voters. My experience with the congressman, and that of others working to stop funding for the School of the Americas, has been quite different than the campaign ads.
Over the last four years we have made repeated requests to his staff asking to meet directly with the congressman. After sending a certified letter requesting a meeting, we finally were told by Nethercutt’s staff that he was too busy campaigning to meet with us and since he disagreed with our position there was no need to meet in the future. Does the congressman only meet with constituents who agree with him? Is he saying his mind is made up, don’t confuse him with facts?
We have facts showing our government is promoting military solutions to Latin Americas’ problems of poverty and lack of democracy. Citizens around the country are calling for a change in policy. Instead of $1.2 billion in military assistance to Colombia to fight the “drug war,” let us send economic assistance to Colombian farmers so they don’t have to grow cocoa, and let us expand drug treatment in the United States to cut the demand for drugs. Instead of spending over $20 million per year to operate the School of the Americas to train Latin American military troops in the United States, let us use that money to train medical technicians, teachers and other civilian workers who can assist the poor.
Nethercutt, are you listening? Gary P. Proctor Spokane
Don’t throw out experience
The controversy over a highly effective congressman not voluntarily resigning seems silly. I would prefer an experienced brain surgeon or attorney, rather than one whose skill grows for six years, then the person retires to become an inexperienced airline pilot, for example.
When I was young, Jerry Ford was my congressman. To this day I am not certain about his political beliefs. I know that, over the years, he took excellent care of the needs of people in his district, including Dad and Mom. A problem with the bureaucracy? Call Ford. A serviceman’s mother sick and the boy needs emergency leave? Call Ford.
Nethercutt’s office served my family several times. His staff has always been courteous and knowledgeable. In the cases where an answer was not immediately known, they aggressively found out. They have been a valuable resource to help us find other individuals or agencies who could help. Their follow-up with their constituents is consistent and good. Nethercutt and his excellent staff have really gone to bat for us.
I don’t know every one of Nethercutt’s positions. I do know that he is conscientious and dedicated to the people of his district and their interests. In the final analysis, that is who we need in Congress - someone with the dedication and experience to serve the people in his district. I will vote for Nethercutt. Mason Cobb, M.D. Spokane
Phantoms pay weasel’s way
Recently, in Riverfront Park, I approached the U.S. Term Limits booth as well as its spokesman, the Weaselman. As we all know, for months U.S. Term Limits has been running radio and television attack ads against Rep. George Nethercutt and using seemingly unlimited sums of money for this purpose.
I asked both men, “Who is paying for the advertising and your salaries?” Both claimed ignorance of the source of income. They told me that U.S. Term Limits is an “educational” organization and does not have to declare its sources of revenue.
Is this what we mean by honesty, openness and integrity? Nethercutt has to declare every contribution, make it available on public record and follow the strict regulations of the Public Disclosure Commission. We know who his financial backers are. But we do not know those of U.S. Term Limits. Wealthy contributors can hide behind a loophole, work without restriction to influence an election and alter the political process.
Who is really the weasel and who are the powers and tycoons behind U.S. Term Limits? Louise H. Nelson Spokane
I’ll sustain lesser of evils
We didn’t get what we wanted this time. We wanted to make a statement about honor and keeping one’s word.
I suppose that to a degree we did make it. We were unable to make it loud enough and it seems that there aren’t enough people who care about that sort of thing any more. But we made our point anyway. And that’s about all we can do in life - what we think is right.
Well, now we’ve got a choice to make. We can vote for someone, George Nethercutt, who has disappointed us some. We can abstain and stay home or we can vote for his opponent. Voting for his opponent is voting for the left. Abstaining, while not exactly supporting the leftist, will lessen his opposition. Either one brings us just a little closer to putting a liberal where we now have a conservative.
For myself, while I’d have preferred another, I’m going to hold my nose and vote for a man who has at least had a pretty reasonable voting record. I’m certainly not going to vote for higher taxes, fewer rights and less freedom. We need to keep our eye on the ball here. Numbers equals power in the House and Senate. And power in the hands of the left is not in our best interest. Randall Jones Newman Lake
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Deal with fuel taxes, not profits
Vice President Al Gore says big oil companies are profiting at the expense of consumers. Perhaps they are but profit is not against the law. In economics 101, when goods are scarce and demand remains high, prices rise. What happens then? Demand drops in the short run due to the higher price and companies may increase supply to meet demand in the long run, if allowed.
Gore wants to use an eyedropper to ease the problem. A few million barrels from the strategic reserve is a joke. We use 18 million barrels a day. George W. Bush wants to promote oil company exploration - a marginally better idea that is a longer-range solution. What both seem unwilling to address is that profit-wise, oil companies are pikers in comparison with various federal and state taxing agencies.
A gallon of gas costs about $1.65. Included in this figure is 23.7 cents in federal taxes and 22.3 cents in state and local taxes. You pay $6.93 in taxes for a 15-gallon fill-up. That does not include the indirect taxes you paid. There are 43 different taxes levied on oil companies for production and distribution, bringing the total tax burden on a gallon of gas to 54 percent. You pay these taxes, too. Your 15 gallons now cost you $13.37 in taxes. Who is profiting here, Mr. Vice President? The answer is to lower gas taxes! Paul Alan Claussen Spokane
Bush? Pride? Get the defoliant
Re: “Bush can restore national pride” (Letters, Sept. 22). Was there another subliminal message that read, “I am a gift from God?” It appalls me to see this type of thinking. What will the next subliminal message read, “The rich must get richer?” I see no pride for America and I think I will sell my television and save my money, if George W. Bush becomes president. Steve Carpenter Spokane
For Gorton, obstruction is good enough
Once again, Sen. Slade Gorton shows himself to be a petty politician, rather than the statesman Washington state deserves.
At the last minute, in order to avoid public debate or a full Congressional vote, Gorton has again attached one of his amendments or riders on to a funding bill.
This rider prohibits funding for any studies on dam removal or protecting communities that may be affected by dam removal.
While the administration has postponed dam removal for at least five years, the agencies involved want to complete these studies so that if dam removal occurs it can be done safely and efficiently, and affected communities can be taken care of.
Washington citizens should oppose Gorton’s electionyear shenanigans. If Gorton is opposed to dam removal, why doesn’t he offer his own salmon plan, instead of just throwing wrenches in open public process?
It’s probably because he has no plan. We deserve more from our elected leaders. Sam Mace Spokane
Holmes will protect our rights
Our nation achieved economic and spiritual greatness by honoring the ideal of freedom. Liberty and personal responsibility unleashed the creativity of our political ancestors and bequeathed to us the bounty we now enjoy. Our schoolchildren sing about freedom and bravery as our nation’s highest ideals.
Meanwhile, mainstream politicians vie to see who can best buy votes with “care-giving” programs that will ultimately harm the health of our people and indenture us with taxes. They support further erosion of our Bill of Rights with a vicious battle against tolerance and personal responsibility, the war on drugs. They squander our heritage, insisting they know best to plan our moral and economic behavior.
We have a chance to vote for freedom, for a return of pride in a limited government. The Libertarian candidate for 5th District House of Representatives, Greg Holmes, defends our right to be secure from government in our homes, to spend our earnings as we see fit and to arm ourselves for self-defense. He trusts his fellow citizens to direct their own life.
Holmes gives us a chance to return to the great principles upon which our country was founded. While others offer to be “the one” in Congress who will steal for us the most that can be gotten from other Americans, Holmes promises to let us solve our own problems without government interference. Vote to be, once again, free and proud.
Vote for Holmes. Bodhi Densmore Spokane
OTHER TOPICS
Take care driving SUV
Very little said about inherent instability of short wheelbase, high center of gravity SUVs’ tendency to skid, then roll. Bet if those bum tires were put on passenger cars, there would have been fewer severe accidents!
SUV owners, drive carefully and wear seat belts. Bill Luck Spokane
Symphony performance terrific
We would like to express our pleasure and gratitude to the Spokane Symphony Orchestra for providing the concert in Shadle Park on Sept. 14. The fact that two-thirds of the city population resides north of the river should suggest a continuation of similar programs would be appropriate.
We noted many young people in attendance. The selection of music, which appealed to a wide audience, was commendable.
As long-time supporters of the symphony, we applaud you and hope for a wonderful 2000-2001 season. Marie and John Rodkey Spokane
Choice - that’s the thing
I am possibly the oldest living female engineering graduate in Spokane, at 77, with a degree in general engineering from North Carolina State. Placing near the top of the class academically was not difficult and neither was determining my personal future. When my husband was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, I chose to accompany him whenever possible during his military career.
I speak only for myself, but as I sit at my keyboard in our retirement residence looking at my dusty old slide rule on the shelf, I have no regrets. “Choice” is the key word here. Young women need to know that they have choices in life, especially that the choice doesn’t have to be either/or. Jeanne J. Watts Spokane
Christian belief `weakly expressed’
I watched the Bill Moyers series, “On Our Own Terms.” and the following segment, “With Eyes Open,” and was deeply touched. They provided a real service in focusing our attention on the cultural, political, medical, and deeply personal aspects of dying.
My only disappointment came in the final segment of “With Eyes Open,” which dealt with several viewpoints on afterlife. The Christian viewpoint was weakly expressed. My understanding of the Christian faith is that belief in the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ is essential. Without it, Christianity is eviscerated and becomes just another statement of the golden rule. For the Christian, the death and resurrection of Jesus is the good news of salvation, of God’s love for mankind. Peggy Faust Hayden
Comics mirror life, its truths
Has anyone else been following “Funky Winkerbean” lately? Makes me wonder about Tom Batiuk’s history and background. How was he treated in school?
Kids can be amazingly mean and surprisingly nasty. I have a son who is frequently teased and picked on, even by those who claim to be friends. It hurts him but I think that it hurts his mother and me more. He does not deserve it. He is just too trusting and kind for his own good. There are times when I almost wish I could get him to take a sock at someone, but that is the wrong response.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the comic strip (to paraphrase Paul Harvey) to see what happens. It seems like a good morality play. I have often said that all great truths are in the comics, especially when they hit close to home. Douglas G. Kaer Spokane
Paper insults subscribers
On Sunday Sept. 17, page B10 displayed a sketch of an airplane flying over Idaho and associating the National Rifle Association and Idahoans with the swastika and the Aryan Nations. This was deplorable and confirms the liberal media bias which makes your publication lose its credibility.
Your guilt by association caricature two days before the primaries is an insult to your subscribers, to veterans who served in all our conflicts and were trained by NRA instructors on NRA rifle ranges and the people of Idaho. If it weren’t for the NRA, your publication would be in German or Japanese, if allowed at all.
Men and women made the supreme sacrifice so you could exist. They should not be tarnished with a swastika! Jack Raleigh Spokane