Special interests get all the attention
The Dec. 6 Columbian editorial, “Reform first,” was spot on. Gov. Chris Gregoire acts like all politicians. The first thing they try to protect is the special interest groups that got them elected in the first place. In this case, it happens to be the public employees unions.
We are close to following the bad example set by the state of Oregon where the public employees unions practically run the state. It seems that regardless of the political party, politicians are so busy trying to get elected that the taxpayers’ interest comes last.
Jim White
Vancouver
Baird served with independence
Count me as one conservative voter who is disappointed that Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., will not seek re-election. I have found it very difficult to not vote for him as my congressman. While he may very well be tired of those on the extreme right, he seems to be equally irked at those on the political left who expected him to march lock-step with his party.
And one of his recent proposals, suggesting that it might be a good idea for legislators to actually read the bills they are expected to vote on, was met with little interest from his own party leaders. His penchant for questioning the party line on health care and even the Iraq War was not well-received by his party, but this independence was demonstration of his willingness to always consider the facts first.
I will miss Baird. I will miss his independent consideration of major issues, his incredible energy, his work ethic and his intellect. My thanks to Baird for faithfully serving his district.
Jim Williams
Vancouver
Sales tax reform is needed
Dwayne Erb’s Dec. 4 letter, “Residents cheat our own state,” quoted Commissioner Marc Boldt as stating that Clark County collects less sales tax per capita than any other large county. That led to my review of the current status of RCW 82.08.0273. This law governing the Washington sales tax now has over 120 exemptions to paying the tax.
One of the more onerous ones, in my opinion, is that anyone from outside Washington is exempt from the sales tax. It occurs to me that since Clark County is on the border with Oregon that much of our sales tax income is exempted to Oregonians. Our governor is looking to increase tax revenue by adding new taxes. I suggest that she look at these exemptions with an eye to making our sales tax a real sales tax that is not exempted.
In most states with a sales tax, one pays the tax when one makes a purchase regardless of where they live or where the item will be used. Why not here?
Several thousand Clark County residents have to subsidise Oregon by paying millions of dollars per year in Oregon income taxes because they work there. Isn’t that enough good will?
Paul Romig
Vancouver
Incentive to shop here will disappear
Deb Wallace wants to tax Oregonians for purchases in Washington state. The Dec. 7 story reported, “Wallace will seek to end sales-tax exemption.” If you live in Oregon, will you come to Vancouver to buy your car and add thousands of dollars to your purchase price? Car dealers in Vancouver will only be able to sell cars to people from Washington, and they will no longer be competitive with the dealers in Oregon. Small businesses will suffer too. People from Oregon will no longer have incentive to come to Vancouver to buy any goods or services.
It does not take a genius to figure this out.
Politicians like Wallace are the reason we are in such bad economic times. They make bad decisions that hurt everyone. Look at all of the empty retail space in Vancouver now. There will be even more empty spaces if Wallace gets her way. Then there will be less tax dollars coming in, so like most Democrats, her solution to the problem she caused will be to raise taxes even more to make up for the additional loss in tax revenues.
Why do we keep re-electing these people?
James Phillips
Vancouver
Extend deadline for study
Residents want Bonneville Power Administration to extend the 500,000-volt power line scoping period to allow consideration of more alternatives. A few comments:
- BPA, for eight years, assumed a “Paul-Pearl” route would be used. “Paul” is the start near the Centralia Coal Power Plant and “Pearl” is the ending point near Wilsonville, Ore. This line mostly follows a path of three existing power lines.
- A more easterly route works, too — starting at “Paul” and ending near Bonneville Dam. By going two to five miles farther east than Segment 29, only six landowners exist and no private residents. Results: no electric and magnetic fields, no impact on property values, built on bedrock, and timber revenue offsets some costs.
- Use high-temperature superconducting technology for the line. It’s new, but such lines have been installed for six years and the technology is improving. This eliminates EMF concerns and the view impairment.
I believe the Pacific Northwest doesn’t need this line. California “self-mandated” a requirement that 25 percent of its power be “green” and they cannot produce that themselves. Canada will provide it if our grid is enhanced.
Why should our citizens suffer when there are good alternatives? Where has “government of the people, by the people, for the people” gone? It seems to have gone to California.
Mike Schmauch
Brush Prairie
Navy Seals’ actions justified
I support Petty Officer Jonathan Keefe, Petty Officer Julio Huertas and Petty Officer Matthew McCabe. These Navy Seals are on trial by court-martial on assault charges for allegedly punching Ahmed Hashim Abed. Abed was the mastermind of the brutal murder of four Blackwater security guards in Iraq in 2004. These four men were murdered, beheaded and their bodies hung over the side of a bridge, and the Navy Seals who captured this thug are being punished. What has happened to us? When did we take a U-turn away from common sense and punish those who protect us from thugs like Abed?
If we keep this up, young men and women will stop protecting our freedoms and we will only have ourselves to blame. Please contact your representatives, Rep. Brian Baird, Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray. It’s the least we can do for those who protect us.
Walt Gordon
Ridgefield
Palin’s commitment questionable
I would not vote for Sarah Palin for president. She walked off from her governor’s job in Alaska, so I can see her walking off from a president’s job.
Josephine Paterek
Vancouver
