Rogue state

I read with interest the article about how “Washington Leaders Have Terse Words for Trump.” That’s President Trump to you.

We now have a governor that as Attorney General sued President Trump 99 times during his first term. Sure, though, he wants to work with him. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown’s simple message for President Trump of “Follow the damn law” is hopeful to me in this way. In recent years Inslee, Ferguson, and the Washington courts have been waging a campaign against our US Second Amendment and Washington State Constitution’s Article 1 Section 24.

Our Constitution is even more emphatic that our right to keep and bear arms in defense of ourselves and our state not be “impaired.” It’s good to know that our legislators will run into a roadblock when they try to “impair” our rights further.

They are pushing a new bill to mandate a permit to purchase firearms. Please name for me another Constitutionally protected right we need a permit to exercise.

Individually, the more recent gun regulations may somehow be construed as Constitutional, but together they work to “impair” our Constitutionally protected rights and are therefore unconstitutional

If Washington wants federal dollars, Washington needs to “follow the damn law.” Washington State is acting as a rogue state and needs to be brought in line with the values of the American people. Elections have consequences.

Mark A. White

Port Angeles

Tax the wealthiest

A bill currently in our state legislature, HB 1319, deserves our support and may be critical to addressing the budget deficit and maintaining government services. The law would levy a tax on the very wealthiest Washingtonians with a one percent tax on investments of $100 million-plus – an eminently reasonable proposal for a state whose regressive tax system punishes the poor and disproportionately affects all of the non-wealthy.

In addition to being a matter of fairness, a wealth tax could help the state weather tough times that may be coming our way. In a recent statement, Governor Ferguson pointed out that one-third of our state’s budget comes from federal funding. This would be of concern under any circumstances, given the utterly opaque and chaotic situation with federal funds right now – but as a blue state that is likely to be in frequent legal conflict with the current administration, we may be in particular danger of losing federal funding through direct retaliation from the White House.

Only 3,400 of our fellow Washingtonians would be subject to this tax, yet, due to their vast wealth, a mere one percent tax on their investments would yield a huge financial benefit for our state. This could ensure that we continue to protect children, education, health care, climate commitments, and vital programs and policies. It would help us uphold the very values that set us apart as a proudly blue state.

Please contact our state house members and senator in support of HB 1319 through leg.wa.gov.

Janine Blaeloch

Sequim

Turn arrow needed

I’m hoping to see a left turn arrow soon on the intersection at Seventh and Washington near the McDonald’s building and the old Penney’s store. I’ve been seeing cars unable to make a left turn onto Washington as they travel north on Seventh. Some resort to making the turn on a red light in their frustration.

It will only get worse when the Senior Center moves to their new location and the huge housing development on Seventh is completed.

Carol Hess Davis

Sequim

An opportunity to help others

I received this text from Bloodworks Northwest about my recent donation of a pint of blood to them:

“The last pint of blood you donated has already made a difference. You helped save a patient’s life at Peace Health St. John Medical Center. This pint of blood you donated was given to a patient undergoing cancer treatment, to help with a bleeding disorder, receiving trauma care, or recovering from an organ transplant or surgery. You made a difference and gave this person a second chance!”

My reply was, “Thank you for the information! That was the 228th pint that I have donated.”

We have an opportunity to help others in a meaningful way!

John Mackay

Sequim