Make better choices in elections to protect tax dollars

Published 1:30 am Friday, October 2, 2020

Several things to reflect upon in your participation in elections:

First, Washington state has had vote by mail for several years. There has been more than adequate time for registration of qualified persons. I see very little reason for “last minute” requests. The same goes for filling out your ballot and putting it in the mail or drop box in time to be processed.

Secondly, you should be very critical of “statistics” used for an argument. They can be manipulated to distort or discount with how they are viewed in any group analysis.

For example: 500,00 registered voters are sent ballots. Only 250,000 are returned, possibly because none of the candidates are deemed worthy of the position. Candidate 1 gets 50 percent or125,000 votes. Other candidates receive the same aggregate amount.

So, is 1 an “overwhelming” choice with 50 percent? The reality is that 75 percent of the registered voters rejected him/her. Are we satisfied to be governed by 25 percent? Maybe it is time to discuss including a “no confidence” choice on our ballot and have a redo with another selection of candidates.

Thirdly, remember that all government: city, county, state and federal acquire the monies they disperse from your pocketbook. They continue to spend money they don’t have and are looking for more.

Guess where they are going to get it. So, when someone promises to give “government” monies to a project, be it health care, infrastructure, social programs, ask how and where that money is going to come from in lite of the current spending.

I live on a budget and have no debt. What I and my spouse own is fully paid for. W e spend within our means and did not buy what we could not afford. I pray that better ones will be made in our country.

Mark Miller

Arlington