Commentary

Comment: Ukraine holds no cards because Trump dealt them away

The U.S., more interested in a reset with Russia, is calling Ukraine to take a deal designed to fail.

 

Comment: What SAVE Act promotes is red tape, not elections

Its proof-of-citizenship requirement would prove onerous for many Americans.

 

Comment: Conclave result will test Francis’ reforms, legacy

The pope in 12 years packed the College of Cardinals, but few conclaves have ended predictably.

 

Comment: Tariffs, immigration crackdown likely to hit economy

The efforts are likely to slow job creation while pushing up wages, followed by a rise in inflation.

Comment: RFK Jr. isn’t interested in finding cause of autism

His laughable five-month timeline and lack of understanding point to an intention to blame vaccines.

Payton Pavon-Garrido, 23, left, and Laura Castaneda, 28, right, push the ballots into the ballot drop box next to the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Comment: States make the call as to who votes; not Congress

If the SAVE Act’s voter restrictions are adopted, Congress may find it overstepped its authority.

Payton Pavon-Garrido, 23, left, and Laura Castaneda, 28, right, push the ballots into the ballot drop box next to the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Comment: Congress should improve access to opioid alternatives

Policy reforms at the federal and state level can reduce the tide of deaths and losses from addiction.

Comment: Lawmakers must protect abortion access in state

Proposed cuts to the Abortion Access Project come as federal attacks on funding have intensified.

Comment: State must step up work to keep air we breathe clean

Air pollution is a bigger problem in Washington state than many may realize. That needs to change.

Comment: Social Security shield we need from volatile markets

After what we’ve seen this month from markets, we should guard the stability Old Age Insurance offers.

Comment: Elon Musk’s DOGE has proved ‘omnigenius’ as a myth

As in finance, past performance in one field isn’t a guarnatee of success in another.

Comment: To win Senate back, Democrats need ‘combative centrists’

Progressives won’t like it, but a more moderate message is needed to fight and then defeat Trump.

Comment: Can’t let pundits’ rabid defense of global trade war pass

As conservative commentators breathlessly defended Trump’s tariffs, he was already preparing to punt.

Comment: U.S. national security is getting ‘Loomered’

That a conspiracy theorist can easily convince Trump to toss long-trusted advisers is alarming.

Comment: BPA should rethink decision affecting ratepayers

The electricity provider’s move to join an Arkansas-based market could prove costly to PUD ratepayers.

Comment: A second look at White House’s Supreme Court ‘wins’

That’s the thing about court opinions; you have to actually read them to understand them.

FLE — Workers make plush toys at Dongguan Yarunli Toys in Dongguan, China on March 19, 2025. For some companies, the uncertainty around the Trump administration’s so-called reciprocal tariffs have had the unexpected effect of making China an even more appealing place to produce in and buy from, eliminating some of the motivation to diversify production elsewhere in Asia. (Qilai Shen/The New York Times)

Comment: Trade deficit isn’t the crisis Trump makes it out to be

The imbalance in trade with other countries isn’t a loss for the U.S.; it’s a sign of our economic strength.

FLE — Workers make plush toys at Dongguan Yarunli Toys in Dongguan, China on March 19, 2025. For some companies, the uncertainty around the Trump administration’s so-called reciprocal tariffs have had the unexpected effect of making China an even more appealing place to produce in and buy from, eliminating some of the motivation to diversify production elsewhere in Asia. (Qilai Shen/The New York Times)

Comment: ‘No’ a tough but necessary call on Edmonds fire vote

How best to provide fire and EMS services to the city requires more study and consideration.

Comment: Congress should add cancer test to Medicare coverage

A new blood screening test can find cancers earlier, improving outcomes. Make it part of Medicare.

Comment: Study needed of split in taxes charged alcohol products

Canned cocktails with similar alcohol volume are levied different taxes, based on how they’re made.