Editor,
In politics, refusing to face reality is nothing new.
President Richard Nixon vociferously refused (“I am not a crook!”) to resign as the Watergate scandal unfolded … well, until he did resign, to avoid impeachment.
George McGovern refused to replace Thomas Eagleton when it was revealed that his vice-presidential running mate suffered from depression and had undergone electroshock therapy treatment. McGovern said he “backed him 1,000 percent.” (Remember, in 1972, there was an unforgiving stigma connected to mental health issues.)
Because of escalating backlash against Eagleton, McGovern replaced him on the ticket, but not until his stubbornness did irreparable harm to the Democrats’ chances at the ballot box.
For very different reasons, Trump and Biden are both unfit to serve as president. We, the people, and those elected officials who represent us had better face up to reality — the presidential election isn’t about two men or two parties, it is a clash to show who we are as a nation.
These two men are not indispensable. Both of them should step aside.
Adam Smith is the first member of the House of Representatives from Washington state to call for President Biden to step aside.
Where are you on this, Rick Larsen? Are you willing to put country over party?
Micki Jackson
Bellingham
Editor,
Regarding the article about downtown beautification projects (CDN, July 1, 2024), “to make the pedestrian experience safer.” I was excited and disappointed. I was excited to learn about the dedication of funds for public art. I enjoy and feel proud of the public art decorating our city. I was disappointed that there is not something more to make the dangerous Interstate 5 overpass at Lakeway better for non-motorized travel.
That passage is dangerous because of the volume of car traffic. The heavily used sidewalk is separated from heavy traffic by only a small 6-inch curb. Traffic on Lakeway moves much faster than the 25 mph speed limit.
The sidewalk is so narrow, there is barely enough room for two people to pass. One time, halfway through the passage, I encountered a man in a wheelchair coming the other way. I had to press myself against the concrete wall to allow him to pass. In addition, there is mud oozing out from between the cracks in the pavement making the walkway slippery and, in winter, covered in a large sheet of ice.
What we need is a pedestrian tunnel under the freeway one block south of Lakeway to connect to Whatcom Street. This would allow bikes and pedestrians to safely and pleasantly get from those many apartments on the east side of the freeway to Western and downtown, and also, from the Sehome and Potter neighborhoods to the grocery stores on Lincoln Street.
Glen Alexander
Bellingham
Editor,
Inflation is defined as an increase in the price of goods and services over time, due to an imbalance between demand and supply. Inflation doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It touches all sectors and industries and affects the economy. A gradual overall rise is considered normal in the long run. But when higher-than-normal inflation distorts economic decisions, it makes most people worse off.
No blame attaches to political movements/parties or their leaders. It is how economies function. But yes, politicians can screw it up.
The main cause of today’s inflation was the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments worldwide undertook massive financial support programs ($1 trillion in cash to Americans) to support their barely functioning economies. This sudden influx of money increased demand for goods and services, but businesses could not keep up producing them, causing “demand-pull inflation” — when the money supply increases faster than economic growth. As a result, things got more expensive.
Further, the pandemic disrupted supply chains and caused delays, leading to backlogs. These delays caused production costs to rise and pushed prices upward, causing “supply-push inflation.”
Another major contributing factor to inflation has been the continued existence of a tight labor market and resulting wage pressures. As the market tightened, workers demanded pay increases. Companies complied, but by doing so, they also raised prices of the goods and services they provide.
CDN-country consumers — especially those on fixed incomes — experience reductions in purchasing power as a result of the continuing, although slightly easing, inflation.
Curt Wolters
Bellingham
Editor,
The article by Ben Long (CDN, July 2, 2024) about the environmental mess on the Whatcom shoreline was spot on. I appreciate his research and depth in reporting. County authorities need to ban fireworks. Whatcom County sanctions this obnoxious practice until midnight for many days. What about people who are sick and need to sleep? What about people who work as caregivers or have jobs and need to get to work the next morning? How about people who are traveling and then fall asleep at the wheel the next day? What about people who just need a quiet place to enjoy their homes?
Ben’s article starts with details about the toxic chemicals that are known to cause thyroid, neurological and reproductive harm just to name a few serious concerns. This junk pollutes our precious Lake Whatcom (drinking water), air quality and soil (fruit and vegetable gardens). The cleanup of thousands of pounds of trash cannot be dismissed. Homes along Lake Whatcom, Birch Bay and other shoreline communities that are not in City of Bellingham have a big job cleaning up after fireworks are blasted.
Wildlife and domestic animals are terrorized and many pets bolt and are lost forever. It is heartbreaking. But let’s not forget our war veterans who have witnessed the noise and bombs on the battlefield. The reminder of the stresses of wars does not simply go forgotten. Our veterans deserve better.
We live in a very dry zone in summer. Fires are a major threat. We need to protect our homes and property, not set off fires for the fun of it. Our firefighters are busy enough!
I have seen children suffer with burned off hands, feet and other body parts. Community public fireworks shows should be enough for those to enjoy without so much harm, risk, garbage, pollution and stress to people and animals.
Joani Glasser
Bellingham
Editor,
Did you know that call volumes to North Whatcom Fire and Rescue have nearly doubled in the last 10 years, and EMS calls have increased by 50%, resulting in 71% of all calls being EMS-related?
Did you know that 30% of the time, multiple emergencies in the area happen at once, and NWFR isn’t staffed to respond to multiple overlapping calls?
This could mean longer response times when minutes count. This could mean the difference between life and death.
From time to time, NWFR must ask voters to reset their fire levy rate. This is known as a levy lid lift, and it helps them keep up with costs to provide service for higher call volumes.
That time has come, and therefore a very important local measure will be on the ballot in the Aug. 6 primary election, asking voters to consider lifting the current levy lid.
What will happen if the measure doesn’t pass? NWFR will be forced to operate below minimum staffing; they won’t be able to replace or maintain aging apparatus; and they won’t be able to replace Birch Bay Station — all of which will impact response times district wide. Without a funding increase, emergency medical services might not be available when you need them.
I strongly urge you to vote yes on Aug. 6.
To learn more, I encourage you to attend one of several public meetings in July, hosted by Fire Chief Jason Van der Veen, or visit www.nwfrs.net/levy-lid-lift.
Margot Savell
Birch Bay
Editor,
Dear President Joe Biden,
I am Betty, I am 77 and a lifelong Democrat, feminist, voter and progressive. I have never written to a president. I feel very strongly and the stakes have never been higher. I very much admire your strength, wisdom, insight and compassion, breadth of knowledge and experience, and ability to collaborate in decision-making and problem-solving. Most of all I see your integrity and strong values.
I have never felt such bleakness and despair, such absolute black terror as I feel with the threatening of a determined, ruthless, “unhinged” fascist, bullying everyone and endangering the very heart and core of our democracy. I am a recently retired psychotherapist and I recognize the narcissism, passive-aggression, aggression and edging psychosis.
I was shocked by the recent debate. What happened to you?! You looked like a “deer in the headlights” and you were not able to rally and speak with conviction and authority your message, which was the truth. I am aging, too, and I have had those moments. It is time to step aside for the next smart younger generation of leaders and now be the mentor, the consultant, the guide, the Wise Elder you are. Please.
Be stubborn in your convictions to do what is right for all of us. Listen to your team, your trusted allies. Be strategic, too. Step down with your head held high and the inner conviction that you have performed in excellence.
Be a model for all humanity, passing the torch of the highest office in the land, with courage, strength and grace.
Betty Kellow
Bellingham
Editor,
I began following politics in 1987 at age 20, voted for the first time the following year and have never failed to cast a ballot in a single election or referendum of any kind.
However, I’ve deliberately never watched or listened to an election campaign leaders’ debate, including and especially those of U.S. elections. For, debates tell me very little or nothing of practical use as to how the “winner” and “loser” will or would govern while in power. General/usual political party ideology and policy are what ultimately matter.
The only thing debates reveal to me is oral communication (dis)ability, and by extension, who’s the best/worst politician, a profession generally not thought of as being scrupulous.
As for the American and especially Canadian first-past-the-post electoral experience and resultant as-usual governance, they always bring to my mind “Calamity” Jane Bodine’s very memorable line in the film “Our Brand Is Crisis”: “If voting changed anything [in favor of the weak/poor/disenfranchised] they’d have made it illegal.”
I also anticipate that any elected leader who would make a serious attempt at implementing truly humane, progressive policies — notably universal single-payer health care, a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a genuine anti-war effort, and increasing the minimum wage while also reigning in Wall Street abuse/misconduct — would likely be assassinated.
Frank Sterle Jr.
White Rock, British Columbia
Editor,
At USDA-Rural Development, our team is dedicated to expanding opportunities and investments in rural and Indigenous communities across Washington state.
Recently, we awarded more than $38,000 to rural businesses in Whatcom County through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to support their clean energy and energy efficiency projects.
Two grants were awarded in this round:
- North Fork Pizza & Brewing, Inc. will receive a $19,476 renewable energy grant to purchase and install a 11.07 kW solar array. This project will realize $1,072 per year in savings and will replace or generate 8,934 kWh (10.44% energy savings) per year which is enough to power approximately one home.
- Flower Feather Farm will receive a $19,182 grant to purchase and install a 24.3 kW solar array. This project will realize $3,571 per year in savings and will replace or generate 26,814 kWh (151.56% energy savings) per year which is enough to power three homes.
The positive impacts are real. These investments lower utility costs and carbon emissions, offering a significant double win for small businesses.
This initiative showcases the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to strengthening rural economies.
Together — America prospers!
Helen Prince Johnson
State director, Rural Development, Washington, USDA
Editor,
The “let them eat cake” Supreme Court’s decision to criminalize homelessness is a direct challenge to Congress (“Washington cities can now penalize those sleeping outdoors, but will they?” by Jerry Cornfield, CDN, June 29, 2024). The job of our country, hence our Congress, is to protect the people, not throw them into an endless loop of poverty and homelessness by making their dire situation a crime.
Best-case scenario is for this decision to wake up government at all levels to provide ladders out of this poverty-driven homelessness cycle. Our local, state and national governments can work together to fund proven solutions like a renters tax credit, so those in poverty pay no more than 30% of their income for rent; returning the child tax credit to the level it was when it cut child poverty in half; and creating more affordable housing and temporary housing combined with treatment programs.
Sharing these ideas with those who represent us at all levels reminds them that giving our fellow Americans a leg up, not sending the most vulnerable to jail, is what matters and will create a stronger country.
Willie Dickerson
Snohomish
Editor,
In an amazing turn of events, the mayor of Lynden shocked the city council by vetoing their 4-3 decision to discontinue their near 60-year practice of water fluoridation (CDN, July 3, 2024). The council knew that a simple majority is all that is needed to pass the new ordinance, which would have discontinued the practice … but the mayor knew that a super-majority (4 plus 1) would be needed to overturn his veto. He therefore came to the rescue, a knight in shining armor, with the will of the people as his sword. No need for a citywide vote in Lynden when the duly elected mayor has the common good behind him and the resilience to stand up to anti-scientific fearmongers.
During the public hearings, dentists showed up in force, along with plenty of thoughtful citizens; however, a biased 4-3 decision was still in the works all along. This moment will go down as one of the finest moments in the history of Lynden democracy. With a well-prepared list of reasons, our hero declared he would slay this attempt at injustice. BRAVO SIR. Your town salutes you!
Jonathan J. Henry
Lynden
Letters to the Editor are published online Wednesdays; a selection is published in print Fridays. Send to letters@cascadiadaily.com by 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Rules: Maximum 250 words, be civil, have a point and make it clearly. Preference is given to letters about local subjects. CDN reserves the right to reject letters or edit for length, clarity, grammar and style, or removal of personal attacks or offensive content. Letters must include an address/phone number to verify the writer's identity (not for publication).
How did state, Whatcom Democrats win big in a US election swinging the other way?