Democracy is part of the American way. Why is the Republican Party ashamed of it? | Opinion

Is GOP ashamed of democracy?

Webster’s Dictionary of 1828, often described as the first American dictionary and a useful reference to determine the meaning of words used by the framers of our Constitution, defines a republic as “a state in which the exercise of the sovereign power is lodged in representatives elected by the people,” and one that “differs from a democracy or democratic state, in which the people exercise the powers of sovereignty in person.”

In other words, a republic is a representative democracy, as opposed to direct democracy, but it is unquestionably a democracy.

The Washington State GOP recently passed a resolution saying that people should use the word republic instead of the word democracy. I guess you could say they want to cancel democracy. Shame on them for being ashamed of democracy.

Norman Werth, Colville

Let’s make kids safe, slow traffic

Children are hit yearly going to or coming from Chief Joseph Middle School. Early this month, two children within a group of five were thrown over the hood of a car while crossing at a signaled crosswalk in broad daylight on their way to jazz band. These are my neighbor’s children who’ve biked past my house every day to Jefferson Elementary.

George Washington Way and Jadwin Avenue are dangerous by design. They are wide and fast with all the design components of a deadly street designed for cars. There are no bulb-outs, raised crossings, narrowing road-diet or protected bike lanes. There’s nothing to make drivers nervous or remind them to be hyper-aware.

In fact, walking down them on the sidewalk with traffic roaring by is so dehumanizing that residents avoid it. The City Council’s priority is to move cars efficiently with the magical thinking that they can still be safe. They’ve budgeted multi-millions on projects that will ultimately serve to move cars efficiently while claiming that there is no money for safety improvements on streets that sever neighborhoods from amenities.

Many communities use funds from speed cameras to fund safe routes to school, implement road diets and traffic calming, de-prioritize automobile convenience and tear out one-way streets. What are our priorities?

Laila Krowiak, Richland

Pasco needs transit buses

Yes, Commissioner Clint Didier, the city of Pasco received tax dollars from the Washington State Liquor Stores for schools until private ownership.

Look how that worked. The schools lost money and the people are paying almost double. Do not do this to our bus service.

Not everyone has a car or maybe they use the bus because they do not see well, and it’s a safer option. Not everyone has the money to pay for insurance. Keep our roads safe, protect our bus service.

Robin L. Mach, Pasco

‘Diversity, equity and inclusion’ are not working

Governmental policies on “diversity, equity and inclusion,” as configured and practiced, undermine the justice due the descendants of Black American slaves. The slave rebellions, Civil War, the 13th and 14th Amendments, and civil rights laws of 1954, 1964 and 1968 — all promised African Americans full citizenship rights equal to those of Whites.

Affirmative action and similar programs were implemented to expedite the social, educational and economic processes by which “equity” could be achieved. Historically, government enforcement agencies providing oversight were the Freemen’s Bureau, Offices of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity. Anti-discrimination protections were provided to citizens based on race, creed and color.

Now, there are 11 protected groups, some with questionable membership. This changed governmental focus from social justice reforms to acknowledging diverse groups. When considering equal opportunity priorities, the word “inclusion” makes no difference among citizens and undocumented residents, not only as racial/ethnic/non-English speaking groups but as individuals.

It’s as if centuries of legal Black enslavement aren’t enough justification for opportunity priorities and reparations. Thus, “diversity, equity and inclusion” policies have co-opted, and de-emphasized civil rights programs and opportunities intended for Black people near the point of insignificance and Black invisibility. Look for yourselves. it’s troubling.

Dallas Barnes, Pasco