Letters to the Editor
Published 1:30 am Thursday, May 21, 2026
GOVERNMENT
We deserve ethical leadership, responsible government
I believe every branch of government should work for the citizens of this country. Voting in U.S. elections should be reserved for United States citizens. Government—whether local, state, or federal—should act as a financially responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, with zero tolerance for fraud, abuse, or misuse of public funds.
If anyone, regardless of title or position, is found abusing taxpayer money—directly or indirectly through NGOs, grants, or relief funding—they should immediately lose their position, future pension, and benefits, and face prosecution with full financial accountability.
We need transparency, accountability, ethics, and integrity restored in government. Public service should be about serving the people—not protecting political power, careers, or party agendas. Americans deserve leaders chosen based on character, ethics, integrity, reputation, and genuine reasons for wanting to serve.
Balanced budgets should matter. Government should live within its means instead of continually placing the burden of poor decisions on taxpayers. At the end of the day, it is not the citizens creating these problems—it is the people governing.
We cannot expect different results by continuing to elect the same individuals and expecting change. Term limits would be a strong start.
Regardless of party affiliation, Americans should demand accountability, transparency, ethical leadership, and responsible governance from everyone elected to office.
Natalee Thurston
Lake Stevens
TAXES
The bloated budget buffet
Many of our legislators who seek to impose the Millionaire’s tax state that it is because Washington State has one of the most regressive tax structures in America. Yet, when they enacted this tax, they could have included provisions to reduce one of the nation’s highest gas taxes, which impacts the poor the most. How about sales tax? They could have cut the State’s sales tax, which disproportionately hits the poor. Nope, they passed on that as well. What about property tax? They could have reduced a tax that impacts the middle class and the retired much more significantly than the rich. Yet, they did not do that either. Instead, they have enacted a new tax under the guise of using the rich as a boogeyman. The truth… Our legislature seems to operate as if it is at an all-day buffet, consuming funds without clear financial accountability for how they’re spent, leading to bloated budgets that are unsustainable. The solution? They just poke a hole in their belt and belly up to the bar to scarf down more! You are being deceived. When is enough, enough? There is only one way to stop the lawmakers who are doing this: at the ballot box. Please vote instead of moving away.
James Fry
Pullman
FORESTS
Sadie Creek sale not 1st of its kind
Friends of Heybrook Ridge (FOHR) came together in 2007 to save 135 acres of forest from clear-cut logging. The volunteers raised money to buy the land, which was donated to become a Snohomish County park in 2008. The purchase of the land was ensured by a $500,000 gift from an anonymous benefactor, later revealed to be Dr. Conway Leovy, a founding member of FOHR and a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington. Leovy died in 2011 and intended Heybrook Ridge County Park to be his legacy.
Hans Dankers
previously from Monroe
