Political baby talk

Had enough of modern political campaigns?

Try watching the Kennedy-Nixon debates of 1960 when they are shown on cable television. Kennedy and Nixon both assumed the American public was intelligent and informed. Both addressed the issues of the day. Both seemed to believe that an informed citizenry could properly choose between realistic alternatives.

Now fast forward to the present, and notice how our major political parties have dummied down political discourse. They think we are stupid. No longer do the major parties or their candidates expect voters to have a comprehension of relevant facts and their appropriate context, and they absolutely don’t want voters to reason about political events.

Instead, the public is treated to slogans and images intended to manipulate our emotions, appeal to our prejudices and activate our attitudes. This kind of appeal relieves voters of the need to think, and woe betide the major parties and their candidates if the electorate actually demanded real thought and honest analysis in political dialogue.

Consumer marketing techniques are routinely applied to politics, with cynicism and without apology. The result is political dialogue that isn’t much more than baby talk. How long are we going to put up with this?

Lee Freese

Pullman

Two research days ‘til election

You need an anti-venom shot and a dose of nausea medicine before reading, watching or listening to most of the election advertising. Finger-pointing, half-truths and downright lies predominate. Qualifications take a back seat.

We are about to elect a new batch, or reinstall an old batch, of “public servants” into positions of trust. Risky business when all that most of us know about them is that many are expert mudslingers who will morph into self-appointed royalty.

Do you know what? We, the uninformed electorate who don’t bother to question but vote anyway, will get what we deserve. For the rest of us, there are still a few days left to get knowledgeable.

Ron Strack

Spokane

Put STA to better use

Many people are commenting on the pros and cons of light rail. The proposed cost of $265 million (and probably more) for construction is too much for this area to absorb. This is approximately $1,000 per man, woman and child in the greater Spokane area. That doesn’t even include operating costs and maintenance after it is built. If a one-way ride is $1 and every person in the area rides it two directions per day, it would take 500 consecutive days just to pay back the construction costs, not including operations and maintenance.

Seems like just another STA boondoggle. STA could better use this money to provide free bus service and maybe ridership might increase.

Dan Rash

Spokane Valley

A disappointing turn

I am surprised, and disappointed, that Bonnie Mager has gone negative in her campaign against Phil Harris for county commissioner (“County race turns negative,” Nov. 2). Until now I had thought Mager was not the kind of candidate to resort to name-calling in order to win a political campaign.

It was reported in the radio ad that John Roskelly says; “Nepotism is a cancer that infects any organization where it is allowed and destroys employee morale.” I am not surprised, however, that Roskelly would take this approach to campaigning.

Phil Harris did not hire his sons to work for the county. They interviewed and were hired on their own merits. He is probably happy that they are gainfully employed because he is a loving father who cares about the welfare of his family.

Phil Harris is an honest man who cares deeply about this community. He has accomplished many positive things for Spokane County. He approaches all issues with common sense. He is accessible and if you disagree with him he will discuss it with you. He is too good a man to have his reputation maligned in this way. Don’t be fooled by false advertising.

Bob Blum

Spokane Valley

Hayes not skin deep

I am so tired of reading comments about Debra’s billboards. Would you rather she had put on an oversized dress and messed up her hair so you insecure people can feel better about yourselves? She is pretty, so what! I would hate to think that the town I live in is still back in the times that people thought that if you are pretty then you are unintelligent.

If I were her opponent I would be offended because all you people that won’t vote for Debra because she is attractive are voting for Mike because you think he isn’t. I’ve known Debra a long time; she is honest, she believes in justice, she loves our community and she’s highly intelligent.

I hope that those of you that haven’t voted base your decision on integrity and skill of a candidate, not one’s appearance. Debra will do a great job as judge; you will be glad that you voted for her.

Tonya Tangvald

Spokane

Pay attention to county

There are four low-profile races this year whose outcomes will directly influence the quality of life here in Spokane County. These offices have a greater daily impact upon the lives of citizens in Spokane County than those of our U.S. senator or House representative. Unfortunately, the inevitable polarization of partisan politics of the federal races often taints local elections, thrusting under-qualified candidates into office.

Each position mentioned below is heavily business oriented (note the number of employees and budget) and has little to do with partisanship. Each of these candidates qualifies based on their integrity, credentials, experience and demeanor.

“Ozzie Knezovich for sheriff: 550-plus employees, $48 million budget

“Mike Volz, MBA, CPA for auditor: 50-plus employees, $5 million budget

“Ralph Baker, MBA, for assessor: 50-plus employees, $4 million budget

“Bob Wrigley, CPA, for treasurer: 29-plus employees, $2 million budget

I’ve personally researched each of the above-mentioned races and strongly endorse each candidate listed. If elected, the operation and future of Spokane County will be in good, highly qualified hands.

M.W. Monroe

Spokane

Trust Conners with NIC

We have known Dr. Dennis Conners for many years and support him for the NIC Board of Trustees. We have served on committees with Dennis in a variety of community projects. We have found him thoughtful, intelligent and concerned about his contribution to the community.

He has valuable perception and vision, which NIC needs at this time. His work in all levels of education and his understanding of public policy make him a valuable asset, not only to NIC, the students, the staff and the faculty but also to the community.

Dennis Conners’ experience started as a teacher; it includes being a principal, a former academic vice president and a former associate dean at NIC. He presently serves as professor of educational leadership at Gonzaga University.

As a member to the NIC board, he will contribute greatly to making NIC an affordable and valuable option for all citizens of North Idaho. We are supporting Dennis Conners for the NIC Board of Trustees because of his experience, his dedication and his commitment to education for all students.

Larry and Laureen Belmont

Coeur d’Alene

Douglas backs tax relief

The Spokesman-Review narrowly endorsed the Republican candidate for the Idaho State Legislature, District 4, Seat A, over Democrat Bonnie Douglas (“Serving North Idaho,” Oct. 27). In justifying their decision, the paper stated that Ms. Douglas opposed the recent property tax reform, implying that she opposed property tax relief in general. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Although Bonnie Douglas did oppose the Republican plan that was put forward in the special session in August, she fully supported the Democratic tax cut plan which would have targeted tax relief to owner-occupied homes which is where cuts are needed. If you agree that our legislature needs to continue to fight for ways to reduce the homeowner tax burden, vote for Bonnie Douglas Nov. 7.

Bev Moss

Chair, Kootenai County Democratic Party

Coeur d’Alene

Spokane schools get an A

A recent campaign flier distributed by Brad Benson and John Serben carries a red-circled “F” stating that public schools are failing our children. This Spokane teacher grades this flier an “F.”

Here’s a test about Spokane public schools, Brad and John. Please answer true or false:

1. More than 70 percent of Spokane teachers hold master’s degrees.

2. Art, music, counseling, health and fitness and librarians provide for a well-rounded education.

3. Spokane has new graduation requirements in math and fine arts to prepare students for postsecondary pursuits and the world of work.

4. Spokane students’ SAT scores average above the state and nation.

5. Advanced Placement exam results show average scores above the rest of Washington state, the nation and the world!

6. Our WASL scores continue to improve each year.

7. Moran Prairie was named a National Blue Ribbon school this year.

8. Eight elementary and one middle school are National Distinguished Title I schools.

The answers are all true. Labeling our public schools as failing demonstrates faulty study habits by both Brad and John for not doing their research. Additionally, both have voted no on numerous education issues. They are the ones who have failed.

Maureen Ramos

Spokane Education Association president

Spokane Valley

Brady shows true value

“Values” is the buzzword in politics today. Republicans have sustained a drumbeat campaign to distract public attention from positive values like commitment to public service or personal integrity to divisive issues like gun ownership, abortion, gay marriage or dismissing Democrats as “liberal tax-and- spenders.”

GOP candidate for Idaho governor Butch Otter’s votes as our 1st District representative don’t reflect the most praiseworthy values. He consistently votes to give tax breaks to the wealthy and corporate interests while offering minimal relief to struggling working families. While lieutenant governor, after two warnings by EPA, Otter continued to fill a wetland on his property – eventually paying, without contest, a $50,000 fine for violating a federal law.

Democratic candidate for governor Jerry Brady is a strong advocate for the needs of all children, for a fair tax system and protection of Idaho’s marvelous natural landscapes.

I’m voting for Jerry Brady for governor of Idaho because I feel he is an honest man who will represent the best values for Idaho. As governor Jerry will make us proud we live in Idaho.

Buell Hollister

Hauser, Idaho

Disappointed in McMorris

What a disappointment Cathy McMorris continues to be. I received her unsolicited campaign literature in my mailbox with a message encouraging me to contact the Goldmark campaign to “tell him no more disgraceful negative attack ads.” In this very piece of literature her campaign levels some incredibly negative attacks at Mr. Goldmark in which facts are shamefully misrepresented.

I would have tremendous respect for her campaign if she truly did move to cease the negative messaging platform. Cathy has been in office for two years and has accrued a factual record on which to focus her campaign message. Yet she resorts to attacks on Mr. Goldmark that are unnecessary and in many cases her attack argument is an extreme distortion of the truths at the heart of the issue.

I am very disappointed by the campaign she has made the conscious decision to run. It lacks the integrity a sitting congressperson and their staff owe to their constituents, their party and themselves.

Shannon Dineen-Setzer

Spokane

A one-man operation

If we elected Mike McGavick to Congress how would anything ever get done? He is promising that anything and everything that he thinks is wrong that he will change. All by himself?

He must think that he is going to be taking another corporation and lead it down the golden pathway as he did with Safeco. If you listen to his promises it is apparent that he will be bucking the Republicans, Democrats and independents. Who will be left that he can work with, President Bush? Now Mike is even telling us and President Bush that the president is not listening to us and that Mike will go and make all of the decisions and changes. Who in the world does Mike think he is?

I have not heard him say one time that he wants to go and do what Spokane wants him to do, just that he will go and change what he thinks is wrong. Congress is not a corporation that if you make a decision today and if it does not work it can be changed in a week. We need people in Congress that can work with other people to get things done.

Larry Moberg

Spokane

A plan for Social Security

Social Security is a top priority of Mike McGavick, U.S. Senate candidate. Ads by his opponent have totally distorted his position, so it is critical that everyone understands some of his proposals.

First, benefits must be guaranteed for current beneficiaries and those nearing retirement.

Second, Social Security should not be privatized. Moreover, he supports giving younger workers more choice in their financial decisions so he offers the option, not the requirement, of placing some of their contributions in personal accounts managed by the government.

Third, seniors could choose to decline their Social Security on a yearly basis if they did not need it. This option would provide additional funds to support the program. Of course, it would be strictly voluntary. Skeptics say no one would participate but it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask. Even if just 10 people from every state were willing, millions of dollars a year could be saved.

Every year Congress talks about reform but little or nothing happens. As CEO of Safeco, Mike McGavick took less than four years to lead the company to financial success. As our senator he will provide intelligent, decisive leadership so that Social Security reform finally happens.

Bill Conley

Spokane

Deal? Then no deal

The lyrics to Monty Python’s “Spanish Inquisition” coursed through my car as I drove to Spokane recently. The methods mentioned reminded me how simple his tactics are and of our current president. Fear and surprise are two of the tools used to intimidate the populace.

I witnessed a rally for Mike McGavick months ago. He stated he agreed with three of President George Bush’s policies. Health care and the war in Iraq were two of the items he listed. By doing so, Mr. McGavick clearly identified his intent and lost my vote. Mike McGavick’s decisions in both the political and business world illustrate that if the price is right he’ll make a deal. He is courting the support of a political party and president that does not represent a balanced agenda for America’s future.

Mike McGavick has placed himself in a select circle of folks who seek to maintain power at a price that is critical to the general public. Mike knows he can’t be saying and believing what he says without a paying a price. Fear and surprise may work both ways, but I won’t vote for it.

My vote is for Maria Cantwell. She isn’t saying things she can’t live up to.

Wes Clizer

Clarkston

Democrats in denial

Global warming is the next big lie foisted on us, just like evolution was. Cows and other large animals emit tons of methane every day, one volcanic eruption blasts huge amounts of various gasses into the upper atmosphere, but you can’t tax or require emission controls on them.

As with any scam, follow the money. With millions of taxpayers and consumers in this country small fees and taxes add up fast. Third World countries are the worst polluters and they do nothing about it but beg us for more money. Quit burning rain forests (trees clean the air), have Al Gore shut up, that would reduce gas emissions by 10 percent.

Make the large corporations that are huge polluters clean up their act, but you have to overcome hordes of lawyers, lobbyists and political payoffs. If you do fall for this hoax then vote Democrat. They deny that terrorism exists and will ignore the threat of Iran and North Korea who will launch nukes at the U.S., Israel and others, bringing swift retaliation from us and others causing a nuclear war.

Which will bring about a nuclear winter.

Mike Carlson

Spokane

America, look to yourself

While previous writer Peggy Crowther waits for American Muslims to condemn killings of innocent people in Iraq by “radical” Muslims (“Muslims should speak,” Oct. 31), I similarly await our collective condemnation of the American (predominantly Christian) killing of half a million Iraqi children from 1990 to 1996 (conceded by then Secretary of State Madeline Albright on a 60 Minutes television interview with Leslie Stahl, May 12, 1996) as well as the killing of over 600,000 Iraqi civilians since 2003, most from American fire (October Johns Hopkins report in Lancet), all statistics for which we Americans – Christians, Jews, Muslims and others – are entirely responsible and have largely refused to condemn.

Then, too, is the unrebuked ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza perpetrated by Israelis and funded by our tax dollars: starvation has set in now that the Israeli army has destroyed the only power station, shut off the water, closed the border and tossed out potential witnesses. Why can we Americans of all faiths not condemn our own sins before condemning those of others?

Michael Poulin

Spokane Valley