Abuses of power have gone on too long. Restore the Constitution | Opinion

U.S. Constitution our nation’s DNA

It’s the Constitution, dummy! – our nation’s DNA.

Our country needs a drastic change! In 2026, American voters can get it. Twenty Republican senators will be retiring or up for re-election in November 2026. All members of the House will, of course, retire or run.

This means there is an opportunity to substantially remake the U.S. Congress and restore constitutional rule of law. The massive, nationwide ‘No Kings’ (rallies) tell me the voters are ready to elect a Congress that will pass corrective laws and override any presidential veto to roll back the excesses of Project 2025. This is not a liberal issue, it’s an American issue. What needs to change?

• Restore the First Amendment right to free speech and protest
• Require Fourth Amendment due process before seizing or deporting anyone
• Restore to Congress the constitutional power to set tariffs
• Reverse the disabling or dismantling of agencies without congressional approval.
• Restore responsible taxation to avoid extreme budget deficits and debt limit crises.
• Restore Medicaid, SNAP and other lifelines that aid the poor and aged.
• Responsibly vet political appointments to ensure that only qualified people serve.

Ken Ames, Pasco

Reader supports 2 for KSD board

I’m writing to express my strong support for Gabe Galbraith and Micah Valentine for our local school board. In a time when schools face rising costs and outside influence, we need leaders who will protect local control, uphold community values and practice fiscal responsibility with every taxpayer dollar.

Galbraith and Valentine are committed to putting students and families first, not special interests. They understand that strong schools start with strong communities, and that responsible budgeting ensures our classrooms — not bureaucracy — get the resources they need. Their focus on transparency, accountability and balanced decision-making will help restore trust and stability in our district.

Both Galbraith and Valentine bring real-world experience, common sense and deep roots in our community. They believe parents deserve a voice, teachers deserve support, and students deserve an education grounded in excellence and local priorities.

Let’s elect leaders who reflect our values and will work for us — not for politics. Join me in voting for Galbraith and Valentine for school board.

Megan Sa, Kennewick

KSD board needs leaders who listen

Our schools deserve leaders who listen before they lecture, and that’s exactly why I’m supporting Gabe Galbraith and Micah Valentine for (Kennewick) school board. Galbraith and Valentine believe that the people who know our kids best, parents, teachers, and local taxpayers, should have the strongest voice in how our schools are run, not bureaucrats in Olympia.

They bring calm, steady leadership in a time when education has become too politicized. Instead of chasing trends or rubber-stamping state mandates, they will focus on what actually works for our students and our community. Both have deep roots here and understand the value of local control, fiscal responsibility and common sense in every decision.

If you are tired of top-down policies and want thoughtful leaders who will stand firm for our community’s values, join me in voting for Galbraith and Valentine. Let’s keep our schools accountable to the people who care most: us.

Berkeley Behen, Kennewick

Retain Christian conservative wing

Christian conservatives support Micah Valentine and Gabe Galbraith for Kennewick school board!

I don’t know why your paper always supports liberal idealism and never gives a fair or unbiased account or reading of what the community actually stands for. Do better!

Hayley Hoyt, Kennewick

Disappointed with TCH coverage

I am beyond disappointed with the Tri-City Herald. I’ve been a subscriber for over 30 years. I stayed with the paper as local reporting continued to shrink. I stayed with the paper after complaining about the lack of representation for our girls’ and womens’ sports.

However, after the Herald ignored reporting on the largest peaceful protest ever held in the Tri-Cities, I need to rethink my continued support for this paper. I would like an explanation as to why there was no coverage of the Oct. 18 gathering in your paper.

Sandy Melville, Kennewick

Vote 2 for KSD, not for Olympia

When I think about the kind of leadership our schools need, I think of people like Gabe Galbraith and Micah Valentine. They’re not career politicians. They’re community members who care deeply about keeping our schools strong, our budgets balanced and our values intact.

Both believe in spending wisely and focusing on what truly matters — helping students learn and supporting teachers in the classroom. They understand that every tax dollar should serve our kids, not disappear into bureaucracy.

Galbraith and Valentine also know that the best decisions for Kennewick schools come from right here at home. They trust parents, teachers and local voices over one-size-fits-all mandates from Olympia.

They’ll protect our community’s priorities, keep taxes low and make sure our schools stay focused on education, not politics.

I’ll be voting for Galbraith and Valentine because they put Kennewick first.

Benson Behen, Kennewick