I was disappointed to read in The Columbian that the Armstrong Bill, requiring proof of legal residency to obtain a driver’s license, failed to pass in the state Legislature. Several years ago the Department of Homeland Security identified Washington as a magnet for people to obtain a driver’s license since they don’t have to prove a legal presence in the United States. With that identification in hand these people are given an identity gateway although they may pose a security threat. We Washington residents feel good that this is a liberal state but shouldn’t it also be a responsible state?
Another weakness in our Department of Motor Vehicles is the registration process. No proof of insurance is required to register a vehicle in Washington, with the result that we are on the highways surrounded by uninsured drivers. Again, this is very irresponsible on the part of the state Legislature.
Maybe instead of The Evergreen State we should be known as the “Oh, Well, Whatever State” since anything goes here. Wouldn’t we all like to see the Washington state lawmakers do what is best for our state and for the rest of the country?
Carl H. Tuttle
Vancouver
