Washington state used to be a wonderful place to live, work and play. But there has been a terrible turn of events since the Democratic Party took charge of our state government.
State Rep. Peter Abbarno’s commentary from Oct. 4 clearly shows the drastic decline in laws that are to protect us. The failure of public policy with no accountability in Olympia is responsible for out-of-control crime. There is an epidemic of the most dangerous drugs illegally imported from south of the border.
In 2019, Gov. Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the Democratic Party’s legislative leaders made the “sanctuary state” and “Keep Washington Working” laws without citizen voters’ approval. Those laws severely limit law enforcement at all levels from local police to the state patrol.
We’re left with increased taxes to pay the bill. The two laws are all about providing for illegal “immigrants.” And they violate federal codes. Our welfare safety net is decreased, because our taxes have to pay for people who are illegally included for benefits — for free.
We didn’t authorize our tax money being spent on funding for illegals. It was stolen.
Portland’s law to decriminalize hard drugs failed, and Gov. Tina Kotek signed a law to restore criminal penalties for drug possession in April 2024. California, Colorado and perhaps others have also reversed the insane policies while Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5536 with almost the exact decriminalizing law effective July 1, 2023.
Ferguson has always had a hand in reversing good laws. Read Keep the Washington Working Act’s frequently asked questions for law enforcement.
I highly recommend that all adults, especially voters, watch “Seattle is Dying,” the hour-long documentary narrated by Eric Johnson of KOMO. It’s heartrending, but it gives an accurate perspective of the impact of dangerous drugs on people on the streets of Seattle. (Caution: It’s not for children.) Near the end of the documentary it shows Rhode Island has found a way to seriously reduce the drug problems since 2016. It’s enforcement and intervention.
Why doesn’t Washington have a program that works?
Vote for Dave Reichert for governor. Laws will be enforced and things will get better. The same with Mayor of Pasco Pete Serrano for attorney general. He has experience in state and federal law. He’ll work with Dave Reichert and make changes in the Legislature.
You know the rest. We have the most critical choice to make in less than a month. Spread the word to everyone you know. Use your electronic mail. You, too, young voters. You’ll have to live with decisions that will impact your children and their children.
If in doubt, vote for a change. Vote Republican. Vote for America. We need 51% of the votes to make that happen.
Frank Dare
Olympia
