1-1401 voters misinformed

Another unfunded mandate decided by a bit over 1 million, 71 percent, who voted for Initiative 1401, and a bit over 438,000 against. That is out of 3.9 million registered voters, of which only 1.5 million voted (38 percent). Those 71 percent who voted for I-1401 believing that their vote is going to save an elephant were grossly misinformed.

As the Nov. 12 article by Jim Camden, “Market for ivory lacks former luster,” clearly states, for the most part this initiative will do little to prevent the killing of elephants or other endangered species. Trying to prevent something from happening on another continent isn’t realistic. Besides, the countries in Africa cannot even control the problem themselves.

His interviews with various local antique dealers and jewelry businesses clearly shows that the ivory trade as forecast by I-1401 supporters isn’t accurate.

They either hadn’t sold any ivory in a long time or don’t sell it at all.

What is singularly missing from the article is the phrasing “90 percent of the ivory coming into the United States passes through the Seattle or Portland ports.” That was touted in the pro-I-1401 advertising. Additionally, the yes vote people have now devalued those possessing ivory to zero when it wasn’t theirs to begin with.

Leigh Larter

Spokane