Letters to the Editor

State spending

Perspective key when looking at spending increases

Editor, The Times:

We'll see if the public is discerning enough to look past the numbers in the state's increase in spending ["How state spending rose $8B under Gregoire," Times, page one, July 20]. When times are "poor," what is the first thing to be cut? Education and social services!

When the education and care of our children suffers due to a lack of funding, who gets the blame? Undersupported teachers and social workers; I hope that the voters understand that when times are "good" you try to rectify those deficiencies.

If not, we fall further behind.

— Brian Hogan, Kent

A spending binge

Your piece concerning our illustrious governor's spending inclinations is proof that "He who pays the piper calls the tune." The Washington Education Association, tribes and state employee unions have the best governor money can buy, and they are being handsomely reimbursed by the taxpayers for their support.

The more interesting question is, who picks up the tab now that the economy is sliding down and tax revenues are following suit? Oh, let me guess, the governor will try to get the federal government to pick up the tab. Good luck. When there are states such as California, which is something on the order of $20 billion in the hole, let's try to imagine how far down the list we would be.

Maybe the Education Association, tribes and state employee unions will pitch in and help out.

— Ed Nichols, Bellevue

Both sides fail voters with their silly rhetoric

Last week we saw a Republican-backed advertisement blasting Michelle Obama for comments regarding her pride in her country. The Democratic response was that the ad was uncalled for and should be retracted.

This was followed by Gov. Christine Gregoire's allusion to Dino Rossi's dog being named "W" ["Michelle Obama's world," Ed cetera editorial blog, July 17].

The Republicans' response was to suggest that the comment was uncalled for and the Democrats should stick to the issues. Amen!

Why can't both parties stick to the issues and quit dealing in smear campaigns that do little to define their own candidates?

— Dave Des Voigne, Lynnwood

Regarding the war

McCain flops on Iraq

Now that President Bush has announced a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq, Sen. John McCain and other Republicans will be flip-flopping like a school of fish on a dry dock as they try to explain why this timetable isn't really the kind of timetable they have opposed all along ["Bush agrees to set Iraq timeline," News, July 19].

They will need to explain why this timetable doesn't play into the hands of insurgents, as they have claimed in the past, and they will need to explain why this timetable isn't tantamount to a military defeat, as they have also claimed.

In contrast, while Sen. Barack Obama has been accused of being naive when it comes to foreign policy, he looks positively prescient on this issue. Whether he is exceptionally wise, unusually insightful or just plain lucky to have anticipated this turn of events is unclear.

But it is clear that he has taken the correct position with regard to withdrawal of our troops from Iraq.

— Joe Sullivan, Kirkland

Muddling focus on Afghanistan

I am a soldier's mom and although he has already served during the surge in Iraq, he probably could be better serving in Afghanistan.

Now it's getting so hot there and so many of our soldiers are fighting fiercely and horribly, and so sadly dying there in greater numbers than in Iraq.

Our legislators, namely the presumptive GOP nominee, said in 2003 that we could "muddle through in Afghanistan" without a large number of forces. He was wrong then and he's wrong now.

— Connie Klein, Seattle

Bite of Seattle

Tastes like chicken, and promotes diversity

With just enough of a scrumptious crunch of fried chicken, and a similar texture to rabbit meat, "alligator on a stick" is certainly just that. At the Bite of Seattle ["Do the 'Bite,' in bite-size portions," page one, July 18], it was a popular choice that sold off the clock. People would line up and order it nonstop. It took about an hour before it was cooked and so the chef was constantly yelling out the times that the 'gators would be available.

I was late three times in a row! Finally, I was in line on time at 5 p.m. for a bite of alligator. Despite the wait, it was worth it for the experience. In fact, it seemed to be the most "different" food offered, compared with the other delectable items available — the lamb, beef and chicken were cooked to general excellence for such fast-paced food takeout, but those meats are available at my local Fred Meyer. Never in my life have I experienced "alligator on a stick."

I was happy to experience the open-mindedness of individuals who attended this event of raising awareness of diversity through food.

However, I sincerely hope that soon, people will embrace all of America's diversity.

— Maria Therese Fujiye, Tahuya

Clinic closures

Budget shortfalls no excuse for cutbacks

What kind of people are we? Have we completely lost sight of one of the purposes of government: to protect the common good?

The imminent closure of public-health clinics in King and Snohomish counties is an outrage ["King County may shut some health clinics," Local News, July 21]. Where will those without health insurance go for medical help? Does anyone care? We read about the possibility of another pandemic and then we eliminate the front-line defense against it.

Look at a partial list of services that may be cut: prenatal care, early child-care programs, child immunizations, control of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and E. coli infections. Our entire health-care system is broken in so many ways, but dismantling the Public Health — Seattle & King County system that has protected our communities for more than 100 years is a travesty.

— Mary Kahle, Shoreline

Orwell's ferry

Cameras go too far

The use of license-plate recognition at the Seattle ferry dock is a dangerous road to go down ["License-plate cameras tested at two ferry docks," Local News, July 17]. It opens the door to government abuse and of maintaining records on people as they travel.

This is one more government stab at our freedom hiding under the guise of safety and security. I am opposed to license-plate recognition and ask that the governor step in and stop the Washington State Patrol from using this system.

— Bruce Cooper, Everett