Fancy freeway signs sign of times

Huh, I thought the existing signs on I-5 were the most worthless things the state had done in a long time. You know the ones … they tell you how many minutes you are from Lynnwood, or wherever. I’ve often wondered how much money was wasted on that superfluous information.

But now I’ve found something that makes even less sense: $20 million to put a new series of fancy signs on I-5. And $40 million more to do the same on I-90 and Highway 520. That’s $60 million to tell folks that they’re stuck in traffic. Shucks, I can usually figure that out for myself, thank you.

But the thing that really rips me is the fact that the only reason those signs exist is because the federal government can’t seem to spend our tax money fast enough. So they dole it out to the states, with a lot of strings attached. Gee, wouldn’t it be nice if that money could have stayed here in the first place? Or be spent on something useful, like education or law enforcement? But no, the idiots in D.C. think they know how the states should spend money. And if the states don’t play ball, they won’t get any money.

This is just another example of how screwed up the system is, and how the federal bureaucrats love to play puppet master at every opportunity.

David Alvar

Edmonds

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

2025’s Best Editorial Cartoons, October through December

A sketchy look at the best editorial cartoons of 2025, October through… Continue reading

CNA Nina Prigodich, right, goes through restorative exercises with long term care patient Betty Long, 86, at Nightingale's View Ridge Care Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Skilled nursing care must remain state budget priority

The governor’s spending plan would claw back Medicaid reimbursements that pay skilled-nursing care staff.

Burke: Vanity, thy name is Trump; in gold capital letters

Is Trump plastering his name on every surface, perhaps afraid we won’t remember him after he’s gone?

Governor’s proposed budget cuts would hit community health centers

While I understand the difficult choices Gov. Bob Ferguson faces in balancing… Continue reading

Thanks for gorgeous piece of writing on Marysville Opera House

Regarding a recent article about the Marysville Opera House (“Now showing: The… Continue reading

Speak up for restoration of ACA health coverage subsidies

In a move that surprised no one, the U.S. Senate recently voted… Continue reading

Goldberg: Which party will lead the fight to rein in AI?

Views on artificial intelligence have split both parties, leaving an opportunity to safely regulate it.

toon
Best Editorial Cartoons of 2025, July through September

A sketchy look back at the best editorial cartoons of 2025, July… Continue reading

Everett Schools bond, levy support career, STEM pathways

Everett Public Schools does many things well, including a 96 percent graduation… Continue reading

Let your friends hear from you at the holidays

The one thing that I most look forward to each holiday season… Continue reading

Kristof: It wasn’t history’s best year, yet there’s reason for hope

The rate of child mortality ended years of decline because of U.S. aid cuts. But things can get better.

Comment: Grocery store scanner one thing Trump can’t argue with

He can try his power of positive thinking and repetitive Jedi mind tricks, but it’s not impressing Americans.

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.