Get big money out of politics

In response to Sherwood Sage’s letter about an income tax, “Income tax would always go higher,” I agree with part of his description of the “real world.” There are many examples here in Washington and across the Unites States where taxes have been raised and “repurposed” despite their promised use.

I must take exception to his understanding of our Constitution. He seems to describe a government and legislators as being separate from ourselves. We elected them. We passed Initiatives. We demanded more services and higher standards — all of which cost money.

Whether I voted for a particular candidate, whether I contributed money to the campaign, whether I even worked on the campaign, it does not even matter whether my candidate won or lost — we elected that person. That is what it means to live in a representative government.

I think we need to make sure that people understand our rights and duties as citizens. It seems to me that when someone blames the “government” they shifting the blame away from us and instead are blaming the nebulous them.

My particular solution is twofold — get big money out of politics (I-735 @wamend.org) and to get rid of “safe districts” where one party is guaranteed a win.

Gary McCaig

Lynnwood