Curbing federal spending first step

Both political conventions are now behind us. I hope you followed both to uncover your own political alignment. I doubt very much many people were moved. Watching the various correspondents was comic relief for me. Watching Chris Matthews and Rachel Maddow say the GOP convention was a failure and the DNC Convention was a home run, now that was enlightening. Did anyone actually think that Eugene Robinson would call the RNC a smashing success? Did anyone actually think that Sean Hannity would consider the DNC a huge win? Is our voting populace that ignorant? Scary thought.

Sad to say — these same media giants will, over the next 60 days, convince people (the ones who won’t bother to think) to vote their side of the ticket. Those who support abortion rights (on demand and on the taxpayers’ dime) will never vote Republican and conservatives will never vote for government mandated health care. Atheists will not vote for anything that supports the Christian theology. Why this continues to be considered headline news continues to befuddle my view of the American public. There are, however, many truths that remain.

Confiscating the income of the rich won’t counteract our propensity to overspend, socializing our industries won’t provide equal access, redistributing our wealth won’t solve our perceived income disparity, nationalizing our energy won’t reduce fuel costs, investing multiple levels higher in education won’t provide better education. Any promise (and our president made many) is an empty promise and any of you who voted based on these are fish in a stagnant pond. There is one single truth in all this. Spending less than we bring in will benefit our nation in the long run and return us to prosperity. Treating our enemies like enemies and our friends like friends will make the world safer for us as Americans. Pick the party which will do that the fastest.

Don R. Thompson

Lake Stevens

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

Comment: Why shootings have decreased but gun deaths haven’t

High-capacity magazines and ‘Glock switches’ that allow automatic fire have increased lethality.

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, March 27

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

FILE - The massive mudslide that killed 43 people in the community of Oso, Wash., is viewed from the air on March 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: Mapping landslide risks honors those lost in Oso

Efforts continue in the state to map areas prone to landslides and prevent losses of life and property.

Burke: ‘Why not write about Biden, for once?’ Don’t mind if I do.

They asked; I’ll oblige. Let’s consider what the president has accomplished since the 2020 election.

Comment: Catherine missed chance to dispel shame of cancer

She wasn’t obligated to do so, but she might have used her diagnosis to educate a sympathetic public.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.