Must fend for ourselves

Is Proposition 2 an overreach? It seeks to protect the city of Spokane where federal regulations fail. It would impose financial sanctions to cover trains carrying coal and the highly volatile, explosive loads of Bakken crude oil that roll through the middle of Spokane. There is good legal precedent for local action in the absence of federal regulation.

The editorial board of The Spokesman-Review (Sunday, Oct. 15) make good arguments in favor of the proposition - and then preempt those arguments, proclaiming it is “misguided.” Why?

We who face the risk here in Spokane are supposed to rely on Cathy McMorris Rodgers to “hop on board” to lobby her Republican colleagues in the House for “national standards on cargo volatility and other safety measures.” I guess the board hasn’t noticed that with the Republican congressional majority and White House directives, all regulation is an unnecessary burden on corporate profits.

It will be a cold day in hell when she votes for, much less lobbies for, regulation- even to protect her constituents. We’re left to fend for ourselves until she is out of office. Vote for Proposition 2. Send a message.

Jerry E. LeClaire

Spokane