Bill sets dangerous precedent
The director of Department of Financial Institutions has promoted two bills to the Washington state Legislature that place restrictions threatening democracy. Section 15 of both SB 6369 and HB 2830 (Addressing credit union regulatory enforcement powers) could place a gag on free speech. Member-owners of credit unions could face criminal charges and penalties for speaking out on what they believe is the truth. Transparency, not silence, can bring correct information.
A new group, People for Democratic Financial Institutions opposes these bills and encourage postponing them for one year until an Attorney General opinion is given regarding the constitutionality of prior restraint of free speech. The bills contain a dangerous precedent in the operation of financial institutions for owners to raise concerns.
PDFI encourages the public to call the toll free Legislative hot line to oppose the bills, 1-800-562-6000. Watch for our meetings soon.
Genevieve Kortes
Vancouver
Participate in your government
I will be the coordinator for the Republican Party precinct caucus for precincts 510, 515, 520, 525, 528 and 530 at the La Center High School cafeteria on Feb. 13. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and we will convene at 9: 30 a.m. Please come out and participate, be part of the process and make your voice heard in this important election year.
You must attend the precinct caucus to become a delegate to the Republican Party county convention in March.
See you there.
Chris Forzano
La Center
People’s rights overruled again
In a controversial 5-4 Supreme Court ruling on “Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission” granting corporations “personhood,” the people’s rights have once again been abridged by five corporatist Supreme Court justices in ideological alignment with the Federalist Society. These justices — in concert with many others on the Judiciary and in Congress, on Wall Street, in the defense industries and corporate media — have sought to marginalize our rights under the Constitution and completely destroy the social “safety net.”
Expect to see de facto complete and total corporate takeover of all three branches of government, along with continuing endless “no-win” wars, leaving a war-traumatized Main Street America in virtual poverty and saddled with a $12 trillion national debt. We are left bailing out corrupt and “too big to fail” Wall Street conglomerates, and losing our homes and jobs, health care and retirement funds, and our sons and daughters in endless “no-win” wars.
Michael T. Carver
Ridgefield
Disdain of business worsens situation
The current animosity directed toward “corporations,” spurred on by the recent Supreme Court decision to allow them unlimited campaign contributions, is unhealthy and hypocritical. It leads directly to disdain of business in general, and business is simply people pursing the American dream. The scorn and ridicule heaped on “corporations” makes an easy leap to the person who operates a service station or sandwich shop.
Folks are always looking for a bogeyman that is causing their problems, but when the scapegoat is foundational to our society, and the hate and venom is deflecting onto the people who are its backbone, pitting neighbor against neighbor, this will lead to non-cooperation and diminish all our lives.
As an alternative to the name-calling and hand-wringing, if we do not like what a corporation is doing, rather than shaking our fists, let us hold the CEO personally accountable. Let us name names and focus our anger and resentment where it belongs — on irresponsible people not on lifeless institutions.
Martin Hash
Vancouver
Victim has fewer alternatives
Recently I went to Clark County court to see the driver who hit my brother in September while my brother was riding his bicycle home from work. The driver had a blood alcohol count of 1.06 percent at the time of the accident and was charged with vehicular assault. I was told it carries a sentence of one to three years but as this was her first offense, she would probably get no more then what amounts to a slap on the wrist.
It is very upsetting to know that state law cares more for the driver then they do the victim. My brother was hit from behind and the skid marks show that he was in the proper lane on the road but he did not have a helmet on (there is no Washington state law requiring helmet use, although some municipalities have such requirements).
My brother has been given a life sentence and so has his family but the driver is given a slap on the wrist. How is that fair? My brother has a severe traumatic brain injury. Like Humpty Dumpty, he cannot be put back together again. And the driver had no insurance. We have already $200,000 in medical bills as of the end of November. Again I ask, does this seem fair?
Kathleen Rogers
Portland
A wish for change of direction
It is a funny spectacle to behold. President Obama’s golden tongue has turned to copper. In his elitist, egotistical, arrogant mind he is God’s gift to the world. He has failed at so many events such as the elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts and bringing the Olympics to Chicago. Any other president, especially a Republican, the press would run wild with it.
The State of the Union address was a sham and will be proved so with the passing of time.
He and his ilk will not give up on the health care debacle and will still try to push it through. I hope they do because if they do the Congress will change with maybe the Republicans gaining the majority. And Obama will be a one-term president. Thank God.
Bruce Knutson
Woodland
Obama’s direction is improving
We are independents and have been solidly behind President Obama from the beginning. We believe in his nonpartisan approach to governing. Though we personally don’t need it, we are behind his health program, his help for small business, his infrastructure rebuilding, and control of the banking industry.
Like most independents we are sick and tired of the stalemates and bickering in congress. We voted for Obama in hopes of improvement. I know unity is difficult but it must be achieved in spite of partisanship. We pray daily for President Obama’s protection and wisdom, and that he will keep an open mind on the issues and do what is best for our nation, and not get stuck in Democratic rhetoric.
We still support him. We want him to be president of us all.
Les and Patsy Coughran
Camas
