Petition secrecy endangers rights

Imagine entering a business and spending your hard-earned cash on one of its products. Unbeknownst to you, the business owner is using the profit from your purchase to push forth a referendum that will deny you your civil rights.

Imagine people who you consider good friends coming to your home for dinner. You eat, you talk and you laugh. You are left thinking how lucky you are to have these folks as your friends. Unbeknownst to you, these so-called friends sign a petition that will deny you your civil rights.

That is exactly what is being tried by the Referendum 71 petition signers and donors. While there was a time when bigots were proud to be bigots, now there is an understanding that being labeled a bigot is not a good thing, which is why they’re trying to keep their names hidden.

I don’t want to take away anyone’s right be a bigot, I’m just asking for transparency so I can have accurate information for my decision as to where I spend my money and with whom I spend my time.

Ramon Alvarez

Spokane