Letters to the Editor for March 17, 2010
Published on Mon, Mar 15, 2010Read More Letters to the Editor
Increasing taxes and revenues won’t help jobs, education
Dear Editor,
The liberals (and some of our state’s Democrat and Republican representatives) believe that the only way to increase jobs, pay for education, fund emergency services, and take care of our most vulnerable citizens is to increase revenues at all costs.
These same people believe that conservatives want to cut all of these services, when we talk about fiscal responsibility and they are absolutely wrong. Conservatives want our elected representatives to stop spending money on wasteful programs, special interest (campaign promises) projects, and contracts that are beneficial to our citizens.
Basically we want government to budget and stay within it’s means. Our state is spending $250 million on the new building for the Department of Information Services, that would be about $700 per sq. ft.
Office spaces in downtown Seattle rent for about $30 per sq. ft. The new State Heritage Center is costing about $650 per sq. ft.
I just mentioned two examples of where our state officials, both employees (bureaucrats) and elected are not spending our money responsibly. It is their duty to lookout for our best interests.
Conservative principles will still fully fund education, maintain public safety, and take care of our vulnerable citizens. I believe in this as a conservative and the parent of two developmentally disabled children. We need to remind our elected officials of their responsibility to us.
Todd Welch
Everett
Congrats to new teen center in Lake Stevens
Dear Editor,
Wonderful news about the House Teen Center, it’s long overdue, and I’m sure it will be well supported by this community. For far too long there had been a lack of attention given to our teen population. It’s so nice to know that they will have a place of their own that will be dedicated entirely to their needs. It’s also satisfying to know that teens actually were involved with the design and building process too.
I’m hoping that those who may not have kids (mine are in their 30’s) will make a small effort to help keep the center open, safe, fun and a great experience for all of the teens who will go there.
Good work, Lake Stevens. And thank you to the Rabe family. It really does take a village.
I have one suggestion, instead of pop and junk food, how about offering only healthy snacks and refreshments? Let the teens decide with the help of a nutritionist, what to make available.
Carolyn Fox-Allen
Lake Steves
First Amendment gives us freedom to worship
Dear Editor,
I feel it necessary to respond to Eric Goldberg and his distorted conclusion that I inferred being Christian is somehow more American than anyone else.
Let me start by saying that the Continental-Confederation Congress, the legislative body governing the United States from 1774 to 1789, did in fact contain an extraordinary number of deeply religious men.
The amount of energy Congress invested in encouraging the practice of religion in our new nation exceeded that expended by any subsequent American national government. Congress appointed chaplains for itself and the armed forces, sponsored the publication of a Bible, imposed Christian morality on the armed forces, and granted public lands to promote Christianity among the Indians.
National days of thanksgiving and of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” were proclaimed by Congress at least twice a year throughout the war.
Congress was guided by “covenant theology,” a Reformation doctrine especially dear to New England Puritans, which held that God bound himself in an agreement with a nation and its people. The first national government of the United States was convinced that the “public prosperity” of a society depended on the vitality of its religion.
In his Farewell Address of September 1796, Washington called religion, as the source of morality, “a necessary spring of popular government,” while Adams claimed that statesmen “may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.”
What was this morality and religion our founders recognized when establishing our country and writing our laws? It was the Judeo-Christian religion.
This is not to say that being a Christian is more American than being a Jew or even an Atheist. (Please don’t put words in my mouth). Our founders fought for the right of each one of us to worship or not as he or she pleases.
But to look at the facts and say that our forefathers did not found our nation, its Constitution and its laws on the tenets of the Judeo-Christian religion and morality is like denying that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
Bill DiMonda
Lake Stevens
Skate park and teen center will help youth
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to the Journal’s article regarding the new Indoor Skate Park and Youth Center in Lake Stevens.
I applaud the Rabe’s efforts and commitment to our local teens. So often if a teen doesn’t play traditional sports there is nothing to do and they are considered a nuisance whereever they go.
The Rabes offer a safe place to socialize, exercise, and become good citizens.
My son helped build the skate ramp and has attended many of their Wednesday night youth meetings.
I cannot express enough, my gratitude to this family for their hard work and dedication to our youth.
At only $20 a month membership, I hope that they can generate enough revenue to continue this wonderful program for our youth.
Kymm Shipman
Lake Stevens
Natural growth may soon obstruct view from Highway 9
Dear Editor,
As I drive to work every day I always look forward to seeing the lake from Highway 9.
There is always something wonderful to see, be it the mountains, the sunrise, a rainbow or just the rain coming down on patient fishermen.
But, I can see that the view will be compromised soon if the natural growth of vegetation is not controlled.
It is my hope that one of the local service clubs would volunteer to take this on as a project and manage this new growth, perhaps even enhance it.
Then it will always be a picture postcard view for residents and tourists alike and will portray Lake Stevens as the breathtaking place that it is.
Nona Anderson
Lake Stevens
Dear Editor,
The liberals (and some of our state’s Democrat and Republican representatives) believe that the only way to increase jobs, pay for education, fund emergency services, and take care of our most vulnerable citizens is to increase revenues at all costs.
These same people believe that conservatives want to cut all of these services, when we talk about fiscal responsibility and they are absolutely wrong. Conservatives want our elected representatives to stop spending money on wasteful programs, special interest (campaign promises) projects, and contracts that are beneficial to our citizens.
Basically we want government to budget and stay within it’s means. Our state is spending $250 million on the new building for the Department of Information Services, that would be about $700 per sq. ft.
Office spaces in downtown Seattle rent for about $30 per sq. ft. The new State Heritage Center is costing about $650 per sq. ft.
I just mentioned two examples of where our state officials, both employees (bureaucrats) and elected are not spending our money responsibly. It is their duty to lookout for our best interests.
Conservative principles will still fully fund education, maintain public safety, and take care of our vulnerable citizens. I believe in this as a conservative and the parent of two developmentally disabled children. We need to remind our elected officials of their responsibility to us.
Todd Welch
Everett
Congrats to new teen center in Lake Stevens
Dear Editor,
Wonderful news about the House Teen Center, it’s long overdue, and I’m sure it will be well supported by this community. For far too long there had been a lack of attention given to our teen population. It’s so nice to know that they will have a place of their own that will be dedicated entirely to their needs. It’s also satisfying to know that teens actually were involved with the design and building process too.
I’m hoping that those who may not have kids (mine are in their 30’s) will make a small effort to help keep the center open, safe, fun and a great experience for all of the teens who will go there.
Good work, Lake Stevens. And thank you to the Rabe family. It really does take a village.
I have one suggestion, instead of pop and junk food, how about offering only healthy snacks and refreshments? Let the teens decide with the help of a nutritionist, what to make available.
Carolyn Fox-Allen
Lake Steves
First Amendment gives us freedom to worship
Dear Editor,
I feel it necessary to respond to Eric Goldberg and his distorted conclusion that I inferred being Christian is somehow more American than anyone else.
Let me start by saying that the Continental-Confederation Congress, the legislative body governing the United States from 1774 to 1789, did in fact contain an extraordinary number of deeply religious men.
The amount of energy Congress invested in encouraging the practice of religion in our new nation exceeded that expended by any subsequent American national government. Congress appointed chaplains for itself and the armed forces, sponsored the publication of a Bible, imposed Christian morality on the armed forces, and granted public lands to promote Christianity among the Indians.
National days of thanksgiving and of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” were proclaimed by Congress at least twice a year throughout the war.
Congress was guided by “covenant theology,” a Reformation doctrine especially dear to New England Puritans, which held that God bound himself in an agreement with a nation and its people. The first national government of the United States was convinced that the “public prosperity” of a society depended on the vitality of its religion.
In his Farewell Address of September 1796, Washington called religion, as the source of morality, “a necessary spring of popular government,” while Adams claimed that statesmen “may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.”
What was this morality and religion our founders recognized when establishing our country and writing our laws? It was the Judeo-Christian religion.
This is not to say that being a Christian is more American than being a Jew or even an Atheist. (Please don’t put words in my mouth). Our founders fought for the right of each one of us to worship or not as he or she pleases.
But to look at the facts and say that our forefathers did not found our nation, its Constitution and its laws on the tenets of the Judeo-Christian religion and morality is like denying that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
Bill DiMonda
Lake Stevens
Skate park and teen center will help youth
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to the Journal’s article regarding the new Indoor Skate Park and Youth Center in Lake Stevens.
I applaud the Rabe’s efforts and commitment to our local teens. So often if a teen doesn’t play traditional sports there is nothing to do and they are considered a nuisance whereever they go.
The Rabes offer a safe place to socialize, exercise, and become good citizens.
My son helped build the skate ramp and has attended many of their Wednesday night youth meetings.
I cannot express enough, my gratitude to this family for their hard work and dedication to our youth.
At only $20 a month membership, I hope that they can generate enough revenue to continue this wonderful program for our youth.
Kymm Shipman
Lake Stevens
Natural growth may soon obstruct view from Highway 9
Dear Editor,
As I drive to work every day I always look forward to seeing the lake from Highway 9.
There is always something wonderful to see, be it the mountains, the sunrise, a rainbow or just the rain coming down on patient fishermen.
But, I can see that the view will be compromised soon if the natural growth of vegetation is not controlled.
It is my hope that one of the local service clubs would volunteer to take this on as a project and manage this new growth, perhaps even enhance it.
Then it will always be a picture postcard view for residents and tourists alike and will portray Lake Stevens as the breathtaking place that it is.
Nona Anderson
Lake Stevens
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