I don’t know where letter writer Ken Kraft is coming from regarding power rates (“This state hasn’t paid its fair share,” Feb. 15). The fact is the Bonneville Power Administration was established to manage the power generated in the Pacific Northwest and distribute it to the Northwest. It’s our power generated by our region for our region at cost. It is not and never has been subsidized, so I don’t know how anyone can construe it as “artificially depressed power rates,” as if it’s a welfare handout. The fact it could be sold out from under us to other regions at a high profit is immaterial.
Mr. Kraft states, “It’s apparent that you would rather fleece the public through higher taxes.” He apparently doesn’t realize that President Bush’s proposal doubles the Northwest’s power rates in order to raise federal revenues would in effect be a huge tax increase! It would be a selective tax increase impacting only a few states and a minority of the population. And perhaps a punitive tax?
President Bush has a hidden, ulterior motive for everything on his agenda (e.g., Iraq, Social Security). Could this be a way to punish Oregon and Washington for being Democratic strongholds? Perhaps Bush thinks that completely ruining the Northwest’s economy – the two states had the highest unemployment rates in the nation during the recession – will drive the Northwest to vote Republican. It sure sounds like another evil ploy by the man who was elected for his “moral values.” I hope Mr. Kraft and others like him snap out of their trance-like support for everything Bush stands for before it’s too late!
Jim Anderson
Everett
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
