Look to European example for economic forecast
Initiative 960 is the will of the people and nothing is more democratic than an initiative [“Lawmakers clearing way for tax increases,” page one, Feb. 10]. State lawmakers have voted to ignore this law. That is reprehensible. Apparently, democracy is a word to which Democrats pay only lip service.
I respectfully urge legislators to read the article on A2 of Wednesday’s Seattle Times regardingGreece [“Greece bailout likely; pain of cuts to follow”]. As a result of the unionization of the government workers — and the huge perks and salaries provided these workers at the expense of the Greek taxpayers — Greece is an economic basket case and virtually under siege by riots. Their debt is huge and the EU will not let them secede and go back to their own currency.
California, Oregon and Washington are on the verge of the same conditions. State annual salaries are on the average $18,000 more than the annual salaries of the taxpayers who pay their salaries. That is unacceptable. We, the taxpayers, cannot stand any more taxes, period. Many of us will be forced out of our houses or be unable to pay our property taxes.
Legislators need to stop the growth of government and decertify government unions now! They are adversarial by nature and thus are opposed to their employers’ views. Lawmakers must also reduce all state salaries by 20 percent now! No excuses. We are tired of the same old excuses that “government can’t provide the necessary services.”
— John and Myra Leicester, Shoreline
Subverting the will of the people
Once again members of the Legislature are putting their wants and needs before those of the voters of the state. We voted on Initiative 960 in order to control taxes in Washington state and now our “representatives” have decided that it is time to suspend the initiative that we voted into law.
Obviously we need to send a stronger message to those who are supposed to represent our interests by voting them out of office. If those in Olympia are so certain that suspending I-960 is what is right, then why not put it to the voters to decide. Until the Legislature puts the voters’ desires first, they need to be replaced until we can finally get someone in office that actually listens to those they say they represent.
— Ron Hopper, Carnation