The interesting Chronicle letter to the editor posted by Heidi Steigmann on July 8, 2024, represents a genuine dichotomy of principles.
She praises our proud symbol of America while condemning those who also revere our flag but who’s principles and beliefs differ from hers. I fear I may belong to the basket of deplorables, and bitter clingers to God and their guns who shop at Walmart, and the misguided minority Heidi decries.
My first opportunity to vote occurred in 1968. I voted a straight party ticket following the example of my union parents. I was on my second deployment to the Vietnam War and voted absentee in Washington state. I was disappointed that Richard Nixon won, and my Democrat choice lost.
My third Vietnam deployment afforded me a second opportunity to vote. For the 1972 election, I had some world experience, political savvy and saw firsthand how socialist politics operated in and destroyed the people in third-world countries. I wanted no part of that for the United States.
I voted for Richard Nixon but still voted straight Democrat for our state. I am proud to say I voted for Sen. Scoop Jackson, a real blue-dog democrat, each and every time he was up for reelection. Scoop would be sorely disappointed in today’s Democratic political party.
When I returned home, I registered to vote as an independent. I happily voted for “the mom in tennis shoes” and Maria Cantwell for senator and Adam Smith for the House of Representatives. It’s a vote I regret today and attempt to change at each voting opportunity.
Those Democrats and the political party of my youth abandoned the principles established by our constitutional republic and adopted a governing style closely related to socialist and Marxist ideals.
I, like Heidi Steigman, display my American flag when and where I please but, unlike her and many others, I vote for the candidate that most closely represent my beliefs and how I want to live my life and to protect the freedoms guaranteed by our constitution.
We probably agree on some things and certainly will disagree on others. The one thing we should all agree on is that voting one party up and down a ballot is not a grand idea; each candidate should be evaluated and voted on for their principles, values and beliefs.
Gregory Riplinger
Centralia
