To the editor:

Before I begin this letter in support of Jeff Lauderdale I’m going to submit a quote by Thomas Jefferson: “I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”

If this election were to be decided on the basis of qualifications alone it wouldn’t even be a contest. Jeff Lauderdale’s qualifications have been stated and re-stated time and again so I won’t mention them here but I will mention the issues that Jeff Lauderdale is running on. Those issues have been addressed by Jeff in his speech before his supporters back in March at the kick-off event beginning this campaign. They all have to do with what the role of government should be in a free society.

In a free society we all have the right (the natural right) to work and to secure for ourselves property. We have the right to use and to enjoy our property provided that we do not use our property in a way that harms others. The role of government in such a society is to protect life and property and to defend the liberties of its citizens. In fact, without the ability to own and control our property, liberty would not be possible. Jeff has a profound understanding of the relationship between liberty and property. In order to carry out its proper function governments impose taxes in order to support law enforcement a court system and prisons where needed in addition to other essential services. Most everything else that society needs and wants can be provided much better and much cheaper in the market place by private citizens acting in their own self interest.

Jeff’s opponent has a much different view. She sees our property as a source of revenue for programs and departments that are neither wanted nor needed. In a very real sense she would tax the rain if she could get away with it or create a new department that would do the same thing except calling it a fee. I am an advocate for small government. A government that’s big enough and strong enough to protect my life, my property and my liberty but not so big or as intrusive as one that can dictate to me how I should live my life. The opposite view can only lead to tyranny and that’s why I’m supporting Jeff Lauderdale for the position of Island County Commissioner in District 1.

Joseph Kleinman

Langley