Tri-City Herald letter writers weigh in on Tuesday, Nov. 8 election

Think before you cast your ballot

There’s another election coming and at my age, I probably shouldn’t be concerned. If you screw it up, what’s it to me? But American representative democracy is too important to just let it die.

I remember when Eastern Washington voted for best person regardless of party. Now 60% of you are “born again” Republicans voting only one way, careless of the consequences.

Jan. 6, 2021 terrorists ransacked the U.S. Capitol in a violent coup attempt.

There must be consequences for attempting to overthrow free and fair elections and are still promoting a wannabe dictator’s Big Lie about election fraud. They reject the very basic premise for the existence of our 246-year-old republic! Voting! But 60% of you will vote for that anyway won’t you?

Handing power to the Republican Party will inevitably leave you sicker, poorer and less safe. Think!

Don Clarke, Waitsburg

Remember these issues Nov. 8

I am concerned about the attacks on our democracy and, in particular, women’s role in America.

Many Republicans do not value women and their contributions to a democratic society. They seek to control women and keep them “in their place” through laws that mandate what they can or cannot do. In the recent weeks, we have seen Iranian women protesting in support of their rights that have been rejected by a patriarchal, religious dictatorship. Will we become the same? We are fighting against the right wing, white supremacist organizations, evangelical churches and many conservative politicians that lack respect for women and attempt to normalize misogyny.

Women have experienced pregnancy discrimination, gender pay gap issues, interviewing biases, harassment in male-dominated professions, communication issues of being talked over, ideas rejected or absconded by men as their own ideas.

Voting is the best way to oust these men and women who work against women. This election is an important one. It will determine who we are as a nation. Our voices must be heard.

Vote and support Democrats who believe in people and in the importance of women’s role in our democracy.

Suzanne Feeney, Kennewick

Take a close look, not a sound bite

I see on a candidate’s web site agenda: “Preventing the IRS from harassing middle-class families and small businesses with the 87,000 agents they plan to hire.” Let’s look at this from another angle.

I had a small error on my 2020 tax return, which the IRS noticed. The listed phone number required wading through a three-minute phone tree, only to find out 18 times that I needed to call back later. Two times, I made it into the queue only to have the call dropped. Finally after over seven hours on the phone, I was told that an agent had not yet been assigned and give them another 60 days. Eighteen months and many 60-day extensions later, the case is still unresolved. I certainly would appreciate my tax dollars making the IRS a little more user friendly.

Please look at issues a little deeper than a short, feel-good sound bite. The simple answer is rarely the answer.

Jim Langdon, Richland

Help elders but don’t vote ballot

It is a time of year that our elders need help that we do not think about. It’s voting time. It is not voter fraud to help your elderly family members complete a ballot if you follow their instructions.

I had a mother who held elected office. She voted until her death. A nursing home asked her to help with voting. She refused. They were not alert or able to talk.

It’s the same as friends getting together to discuss issues and candidates on the ballot or voting party or union endorsements. That’s the voter choice. Assistance is another choice.

You can go through and read for them the ballot, the voter’s pamphlet and anything you use to make your choice, or they use, mark the items as they dictate to you. I did this for my mother many times. It always surprised me on how our ballots were different and the same. She had her unique perspective on issues, and until her death she had a right to share that perspective.

If an elderly person asks you to help them with their ballot, please help, but do not vote their ballot.

Kris Ann Kennedy, Pasco

Candidate apathy hurts democracy

Voter apathy is damaging to democracy. I submit that candidate apathy is even worse. Today I filled out my ballot with the help of the state “Voters’ Pamphlet.” I was dismayed to see the number of candidates who are running unopposed who did not see the need to communicate with the voting public anything about who they are and their qualifications and visions for their elective roles.

In my pamphlet for Benton County, these included: Bill Spencer (assessor), Josie Delvin (county clerk), Kenneth Spencer, Jr. (treasurer), Terry M. Tanner (District Court Judge); Dan Kathren (District Court Judge), and Lori Sanders (PUD Commissioner). Elective office inherently entails responsiveness to the voting public, and that responsiveness requires actual communication. The failure of these candidates to submit a statement suggests some level of taking their positions for granted if not viewing them as an outright entitlement. It is also dismissive of voters who may be new to the community or otherwise may not be familiar with candidates’ qualifications and visions. Running unopposed can signal previous good work. However, I challenge each of these candidates to take the representative nature of their positions more seriously next time around.

Will Shaw, Richland

New IRS staff can boost service

Senate candidate Tiffany Smiley’s TV ads emphasize that the IRS is going to hire 87,000 new agents to harass middle-class tax payers. Well, it is important to know the facts! Since 2010, the IRS budget has been reduced by 20%, enforcement staff reduced by 30%. 2010 IRS had about 94,000 employees. 2021 shows about 78,000 employees. As a middle-class tax payer, I have never been harassed by the IRS, before, or after reduction of enforcement staff.

In 2021 and 2022, I had the unfortunate need to call the IRS for information. The wait time was “announced” as 20-30 minutes. About an hour later, in 2021, I was connected and after a time, my inquiry was resolved. In 2022, same scenario, but I was able to wait one hour the first call and nearly one hour the second. Persons on the calls were pleasant, helpful, put me on hold to generate info! The new funds will give the IRS a chance to do its job efficiently and reduce the tax gap difference in amount owed and amount paid by taxpayers.

Dorothy Rawson, Pasco

Be sure to vote

As the November 8 election date approaches, I am hopeful that every eligible person takes the time and makes the effort to vote, as this election cycle is especially important for our local, state and national governments.

Our Washington State mail-in ballot election system is convenient as well as being a safe and secure way for each of us to cast our ballots for those who we want to represent us in the coming years.

My hope and wish is that, in the privacy of our home, we make thoughtful decisions about who we want to lead us in our elected offices. It is in all our best interests to vote for those who are truthful, for those who demonstrate integrity in their personal and public lives, and for those who will earnestly live up to the values found in our Constitution.

I have read many times that voting is the bedrock of our Democracy. I believe that to be true. I encourage you to vote on or before the November 8 election deadline. Thank you.

Gary Wargo, West Richland

Cicotte insulting, also not impartial

In his Voter’s Pamphlet statement ..., Superior Court candidate George Cicotte told us he is “impartial,” and he “will not be influenced by special interests.”

The problem is that he then goes on to tell us just how biased and partial he could be.

Mr. Cicotte tells us he has “faith in our national motto, ‘In God We Trust.’ ”

Our courts are supposed to be impartial and support the constitutional separation of Church and State as described in the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Recent religiously influenced U.S. Supreme Court decisions have worried the over 50% of Americans who never go near a church. Are our courts, “Trusting Too Much In God,” and not enough in voters?

Mr. Cicotte’s profession of faith, may just be ill timed. Or a “dog whistle.”

Cicotte goes on to ask voters, “If you want Governor Inslee to pick judges for us, then vote for the incumbent he appointed.” In this troublesome remark, he simultaneously attacks the competence and integrity of our elected governor, undermines the legitimacy of his opponent Rodriquez, and insults anyone who voted for Inslee or prefers Rodriquez.

Hardly, “nonpartisan and impartial.”

John A. Fisher, Richland

Jan Corn is right for 16th District

Residents of Washington’s 16th Legislative District would be better served by Jan Corn as their representative in Olympia. Jan was a business owner in Walla Walla for over 25 years and knows the challenges facing entrepreneurs in our community. She has demonstrated her leadership skills by serving on the boards of local organizations, including Rotary, where she was president. She appreciates differing points of view and can work across the political aisle.

Our current representative portrays himself as a moderate but he blames the majority party for his ineffectual performance in Olympia. Jan is authentic about who she is and what she stands for. She will fight for affordable health care, housing and education. She will unequivocally protect a woman’s right to determine her own health care. Jan will unfailingly represent our region selflessly and with integrity. Please cast your vote for Jan Corn in this upcoming general election.

Linda Gunshefski, MD

Walla Walla, WA