Letters: Elections, protests, Pasco Police and more | Sept. 6

Back Lehrman, Ruiz Peralta

Franklin County November elections hold transformative potential change for our community. Our upcoming local elections could result in a crucial pivotal turning point for residents.

I urge all Franklin County residents to closely examine their vote for Franklin County Commissioner District 1 and 2. Thus, I highly encourage voters to consider voting for Kim Lehrman and Ana Ruiz Peralta. They are both an authentic reflection of our community and would bring a unique lens essential to our county.

Kim Lehrman is a previous educator and a reflection of the many educators in our community. Ana Ruiz Peralta is a female Latina and a reflection of our thriving Latinx community. These two individuals are more than qualified to make informed decisions for our county.

Lastly, it’s 2020, and we need female leaders in local political positions for many reasons; one of them being so children and youth in our community can see women have a place in politics and leadership roles. Ultimately, Franklin County would benefit the most from electing Kim Lehrman and Ana Ruiz Peralta in our November elections.

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Incumbents are biggest problem

More demands for systemic changes in America. How does a system change itself? Some new blood might help. A massive number of congresspeople have been in office for decades kicking cans down the road. Some of the most visible with between 20 and 40 years are: Cantwell, Murray, McConnell, Schumer, Pelosi and Joe Biden boasts of over 40 years.

And now they make familiar speeches while pointing their fingers at the new guy in town. Six times since 1992, the race issue has festered and burst into riots on their watch. The same demands are met with the same promises. I’m reminded of a sarcastic line from and old Pete Seeger song, “our leaders are the finest men and we elect them again and again.” You want systemic change? These fossils are the system. Change that.

As of this writing, it appears Biden may be elected in November. After the election, his colleagues will find him in his basement counting the buttons on his shirt. They can prop him up, tie their strings to him, put the can in front of his foot where he can’t miss it, and send him out to make a difference in the world.

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Trump has helped America

I see letters that are against Trump. If you do not want Trump, whom do you want?

The Democrats and Republicans used to govern from different angles but they both wanted to help the American people. The Democrats’ sole aim now appears to be to defeat Trump, rather than to care about their constituents. Their aim is to push Socialism on us. Have you looked up Socialism? Have you looked up Communism? Very close! Also look up The Green New Deal, to know what we won’t be allowed to do. It sounds to me like Communism.

As President, Trump accomplished the things he promised to do, and he helped our country greatly. But the Democrats were angry because they had planned on Hillary. They talked about Trump’s collusion with Russia. That was a lie. Who gave 20 per cent of our uranium to Russia? Obama and Hillary! Then they were afraid Trump might get reelected so they decided to impeach him. That was a farce. Pelosi did not do that process legally, and the information was fabricated by Adam Schiff. And what about Hunter and Joe Biden’s questionable deals with Ukraine, and now with China?

Vote carefully.

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Criticize others, reveal yourself

When one of my grandsons got to be about 9 or 10, he put on quite a bit of weight and had to wear glasses. Some of the “hot-shot” boys were teasing and bullying him to the point where he didn’t even want to go to school. To add to that, the coach took him off the baseball team. His mother tried to be there for him, but it was a difficult situation. I was talking to him one day and I said, “You know, Buddy, when people resort to trying to take someone down, all they are really doing is trying to make themselves look better. I was very happy when he told me that was the biggest help he had gotten.

Today he is married with a new baby son and has a great job as a businessman.

So, beware, politicians, all you are doing is making a fool of yourself by criticizing your opponents. That doesn’t tell me anything about what you can do.

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He’s fed up with riots, protests

I’m fed up with the riots labeled as protests. I’ve yet to hear anyone I’ve talked to who supports the wanton destruction of private property by these “protesters.” People demanding the defunding of law enforcement? Ask those whose businesses were destroyed how that’s a viable solution.

Riots over police shooting individuals. Any chance those individuals refused to comply with law enforcement? Any of those “victims” have warrants, criminal records or are they all Saints in the wrong place and time?

Every time any law enforcement individuals go to work may possibly be the last time their family sees them alive. Those individuals protect your right to go whereever with a feeling of security. Those individuals are the reason we’re no longer living the wild, wild west. Those individuals are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and untold relatives to many people. They’re hired to protect you from others. Disrespecting and defying them is the epitome of stupidity!

If you don’t care to be bothered by law enforcement, then how about you don’t engage in unlawful activities? I thank the Benton County Sheriff’s Department for dealing with the morons/criminals in my locality so I don’t have to! Stay safe.

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Why hasn’t Trump used his solution?

The violence at some of the Black Lives Matter protests is disheartening, but during the Republican National convention, I heard of a way to control the violence: Elect Donald Trump as President, and he will prevent the violence with swift action.

At first I was interested, but then I thought: He’s been president for three years, so why hasn’t he acted already? Why do we have to wait months more before he does something? I know he’s sent some Federal troops to some cities, but it seems like that just riles people up and it gets worse, so now I’m afraid he’s just grandstanding to get elected and doesn’t really know what to do.

Or maybe he isn’t concerned about the violence. I’ve read that both the extreme left and the extreme right believe they benefit from violent protests. I know the President leans to the right, so maybe he thinks the violence will help him get elected.

Obama and Biden did not have this much violence at protests, so I’m inclined to think things will simmer down quicker if Biden is in charge.

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Pasco police need to take high road

Call me old-fashioned, but I believe people who serve the public have a duty to take the high road with who they work with, regardless of who they are. Nurses and doctors don’t mock patients for poor self-care or bad decisions. Teachers don’t mock students who did something stupid or misbehaved publicly, or their parents.

Apparently that belief is not shared by the Pasco Police Department. I am fully aware that I will be attacked ferociously for saying this in future letters to the editor, but I believe Pasco Police Department is taking the low road with their public, derisive mocking of people they arrest.

I know many people here rarely believe those who commit crimes deserve a fraction of compassion or empathy, but is it controversial to say that maybe PPD’s #dontmakeitworse serves no purpose beyond being somewhat cruel and mean? Does that not go against Pasco police’s mission statement of inclusivity and treating folks with dignity?

I just wonder if this is the best decision in a year when violence against unarmed suspects is being scrutinized. Pasco will make lots of money of its hashtags and shaming shirts, but is that the right decision in 2020?

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GOP foolhardy on climate change

In 2019, Republican consultant Frank Luntz polled GOP voters on climate change and found 69% are concerned their party is “hurting itself with younger voters” by its climate stance. John Curtis, Republican representative in Utah, recently said, “I believe strongly that if Republicans don’t make it an issue, we will lose the upcoming generation of Republicans.”

Yet, despite growing scientific evidence and public acceptance for the dominant human role in global warming since 1960, the 2020 Republican Party platform is identical to its 2016 platform.

If Republicans lose control of the presidency and the Senate as well as the House in November, Democrats will likely act without Republican input. That is sad, because I believe that solutions to big issues are best achieved when Republicans and Democrats work together to find common ground.

My only hope is that Republicans will come to their senses and support effective bipartisan climate solutions that are consistent with their values (small government, personal freedom, market solutions, personal responsibility) and are simple, effective, comprehensive, efficient, good for jobs and economy, good for health, good for the environment, and fair to the poor and middle class.

(Rep.) Dan Newhouse, carbon fee and dividend is one such policy.

This story was originally published September 6, 2020 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Letters: Elections, protests, Pasco Police and more | Sept. 6."