Editor,
Democrats have a choice this year.
Americans are held in thrall to party politics. We are told for whom to vote. Democrats are expected to vote for the candidate bestowed with the magical “D.” The two major parties gerrymander congressional districts to ensure incumbents remain safe. It’s all about maintaining the status quo, not about representing people or fixing our nation’s problems. The result is the mess in Congress.
In Washington’s Second Congressional District “Democrat” Rick Larsen is the incumbent. Because he wears a “D” after his name the party hierarchy is working to re-elect him. The Island County Democratic organization has endorsed him. But Larsen is a Democrat in name only. His principles are not Democratic. Larsen doesn’t represent Second District voters; he represents big industry and military-industrial interests.
Rick Larsen is wrong on every major issue of our times. He claims to be an environmentalist but supports Big Coal. Global climate change is the most crucial problem we face. Coal burning is a major cause. So what does Larsen want to do about it? Burn and ship even more coal worldwide.
His unbridled support for military expansion not only threatens the health and safety of Island County residents but is destroying our Puget Sound environment. Whales can’t call for help — we have to protect them. To Larsen, health, safety and the environment don’t count; he says it’s all about “jobs.”
But ask Boeing workers about that. When they fought to retain pension rights Larsen told them to give in. It wasn’t about “good paying” jobs; it was about keeping Boeing happy. Larsen is no friend of labor.
Larsen has been in office too long. He has lost his principles and forgotten whom he represents.
Will you hold your nose again this year? Not me. I will be voting for Mike Lapointe, an Independent who actually shares my values. Visit www.mikelapointe.org to see for yourself.
We either break free of these big money/party chains or we will lose our democracy.
This year Democrats and Republicans have a real choice: Michael Lapointe.
PAULA SPINA
Coupeville
