Our state is adopting more socialist ieals

I totally agree with Theresa Ochiltree in her Aug. 22 letter, “Seat Belt Law: It’s a violation of our civil rights.”

Finally, some common sense. I thought I was the only person in Washington who saw this as a violation of individual choice. I don’t need the state to turn me into a law violator just to pay more taxes (seat belt fine $86, click it or ticket).

This state is adopting more socialist ideals, ever increasing the state’s control over the people of this wonderful state. Giving the state more power and control over free citizens is not a good thing. Just consider how the state is increasing its reach. See the new State Patrol with DOT workers uniforms? Limits on free people include but are not limited to seat belt laws, helmet laws, land growth management laws, shoreline management laws, endangered species acts, permits for this, permits for that – to name only some of the more direct assaults on individual freedoms. What’s next, letters to the editor?

Just because an idea is a good one – wearing seat belts, for example – does not mean that making it a law, as the state has done, is a good idea. How about you smokers, how is the new increased taxes the state imposed on you working out for you? Oh, you’re not a smoker? Not a problem. I understand SUVs are next. Read Referendum 51 carefully.

Everett