Herald letters on Pasco pot decision, Trump and the GOP and Richland recall | Opinion

Pasco decision on pot praiseworthy

I praise the Pasco City Council for lifting the ban on cannabis. Cannabis helps treat harmful diseases and is safer than tobacco and far less addictive. I can’t wait until it is legal at the federal level and Pasco is ahead by zoning the districts for cannabis with a buffer zone. I think cannabis could help bring lots of revenue and should be more prevalent.

Eric Kalia, Richland

GOP failed at removing Trump

Former President Trump wouldn’t be facing “unprecedented and divisive consequences” from the reasonably anticipated felony convictions had Senate Republicans done their Constitutional duty. They could have justifiably removed him from office well before their leader violated the Espionage Act.

President Ford (a Republican neither elected to the vice presidency nor the presidency) pardoned the vastly less criminal Nixon, asserting doing so would reduce polarization. Hindsight, call it “history,” shows that over the long run, Ford was very wrong. His decision gave subsequent Republicans an expectation of legal immunity for Republican presidents. This has been true so far.

The Republican Party’s express aim is to control a one-party-government. Selling an insincere objective to ‘fix a broken government” has ever been the shortest path. You know the last presidential election wasn’t stolen, right?

Shielding Trump from legal consequences deepens the divide separating those who value democracy with equal justice under the law from those who don’t. Our democracy is at grave risk of being lost.

Learn enough history to sort out where we stand. Such should let you see the Republican Party for what it is, ruthlessly authoritarian. Contribute to the sustenance of our democracy by voting for Democrats through the foreseeable future.

Ivar Husa, Richland

Do good and cut cash from election

Trump supporters: What are you thinking? Trump does nothing for you unless you’re rich and he lets you get away with paying proportionately less than the rest of us. Even if you love the man, I don’t need to tell you how self-centered he is; but I do want to add a related thought.

We need to get money out of politics and shorten the campaign period. Other democracies don’t have endless, costly campaigns, do they? Think what good we could do with that money! Let’s not give it to Trump for another attempt to become Emperor of America.

Judith Loomis, Richland

Richland recall is all about the law

In his recent letter, Michael Fayer, weighs Richland School Board members Audra Byrd, Kari Williams and Semi Bird intentionally breaking the law against the idea their actions were somehow the honorable thing to do.

Fayer also asks us to balance adherence to established law against allowing some crimes to go unpunished. Fayer claims, “context matters.” Fayer wants us to believe in this context Byrd, Williams and Bird did their best to do what was right despite being persecuted for their beliefs.

The recall isn’t about ideology, or the effectiveness of masks. It isn’t about the tyranny of Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency powers or viewing Byrd, Williams and Bird’s actions from 30,000 feet with one eye closed. The recall is about adhering to our constitutionally mandated and protected democratic principles. Period.

The recall process is well established law. It ensures the people are protected from elected officials who knowingly and deliberately make decisions that are against the law, or overstep their authority. It holds elected officials accountable to the people.

If we close one eye and accept Fayer’s perspective, what will happen the next time our elected officials deliberately try to circumvent the law? Democracy’s survival depends upon following its principles. Recall Byrd, Williams and Bird.

Jeffrey Marzyck, Richland