Too much negativity, and no leadership

Published 10:01 am Friday, August 13, 2010

Our Legislature has foundered the opportunity for real reform and to make the interest and safety of hard-working families their top priority. What’s lacking particularly in the 38th and 44th legislative districts is leadership and willingness to tackle tough issues, such as public safety, employment and education reform — not those being pushed by special interests and lobbyists.

It is disheartening that the only solution they seem to reach involves increasing taxes. The growth of government and the insatiable appetite for spending must be checked or we will always be in the red, which means more taxes. They taxed almost everything from candy to beer to repay special interests, and have the audacity to threaten cuts to essential services and public safety if voters fail to approve additional spending.

The senator from the 38th boasted about transportation accomplishments that wasted millions on repaving Highway 526 and other roads where drivers would have been hard-pressed to find as much as a pothole.

The vicious negativity and slanderous attacks against Senate candidate Lillian Kaufer in the 44th District are enough alone to warrant a leadership change. I experienced such attacks when I initially opposed funding for the Lake Stevens Grade Road Project. The malicious personal attacks against opponents and anyone in disagreement are disgraceful and need to stop — there are so many more pressing issues that should have a higher priority.

Kerry Watkins

Everett