Money in politics: Some speech is more equal than others
Re: “Elon Musk quietly becomes biggest known donor in midterm contests as he tries to save Republicans” (Oct. 12, Nation):
For many years, corporations and billionaires have controlled the making of laws governing our society. Until we elect individuals who will get big money out of our political process, they will continue to for many more to come.
Chief Justice John Roberts and the U.S. Supreme Court not withstanding, nearly $300 million in donations by a trillionaire is not the same speech as a $10 one from an ordinary citizen.
To paraphrase George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”: “All free speech is equal. But some free speech is more equal than others.”
Robert Pennell, Blaine
Lake City: ‘Lack of priority and visibility’
Re: “As Lake City edges toward brink, residents fight to pull it back” (Oct. 25, A1):
Thank you for the recent feature on the challenges that the Lake City neighborhood of Seattle faces and the strength of our community.
I wish the article had included that we lack a community center — our outdated community center burned down several years ago and has yet to be rebuilt. Yes, there are plans to rebuild it, but the slow timeline reflects lack of priority and visibility for Lake City. Meanwhile, the old community center site next to our library housed a homeless encampment for a year.
I think it’s symbolic of what Lake City is asked to shoulder while waiting patiently for our turn for some real investment by the city.
Eleanor Bly, Seattle
Light rail: ‘Accountability’
Re: “Sound Transit CEO Constantine’s contract, bonus show disconnect” (Oct. 5, Opinion):
Standing on a recent Saturday on the University of Washington Station platform with an announced delay due to light rail mechanical problems, I knew I would likely miss at least the first third of my expensive Seattle Symphony event downtown.
It reminded me that we have an incomplete system that we can’t really count on, with all the cost-overs, management drops, bad ideas like “honest fare collection” and now an expensive contract to a former King County executive turned Sound Transit CEO with a mediocre track record.
How will we ever introduce accountability into the public sector?
Stuart Gerger, Seattle
Gun violence: ‘Moral failure’
Re: “Family struggles to understand why Seattle gas station clerk was killed” (Oct. 26, Local News):
The anguish Graeme Dobbeck’s family is going through is heartbreaking. Sadly, the answer to their question, “why?,” is so self-evident that it shouldn’t require an explanation.
All societies have individuals suffering from delusions and other mental health crises, as was apparently the case with alleged perpetrator Michael Oneal Fleming, who is also a person of interest in the deaths of his mother and stepfather. The difference between all those other societies — really the only difference that matters — is that in this nation we allow unfettered access to firearms, of which there are more than 500 million, equal to 120 firearms for every 100 man, woman and child in the United States. This easy access to highly lethal firearms is the answer as to why homicide rates are so much higher here than in other developed nations.
It’s a moral failure that this country hasn’t summoned the courage to do something about it.
William Woods, Seattle
Gun violence: Teach firearm safety
Re: “Bend residents want accountability. Oregon’s gun laws make it hard” (Oct. 19, Nation):
Firearm injury is a public health crisis. The deadly school shooting in Bend, Ore., is one more in a string of tragedies that may have been prevented with a little education and intervention.
As the mother of a public school student, I felt profound sadness the first time he had to practice a lockdown drill. I never had to do this growing up in Seattle. Living in a country where guns outnumber people, the question becomes not “whether” firearms should be present — they are. The question is how I can keep my son and other children safe in our current environment.
I recently became involved with Ceasefire Northwest, a nonpartisan organization that teaches kids about how to avoid firearm injury. Age-appropriate firearm injury prevention education can make a meaningful difference. Schools already teach about earthquake safety, sexual health and more. Why not firearms as well, the number one killer of children in America? This education will equip young people with practical knowledge to recognize risks, make safer choices and protect themselves and others.
Firearm violence is not inevitable. Firearm injury prevention education can work. It’s not political, it’s common sense. Visit CeasefireNorthwest.org to learn more.
Kendra Peterson, Seattle, board member, Ceasefire Northwest
Prohibition: Bans don’t work
Re: “As worries about kratom spread, state lawmakers consider ban” (Oct. 22, A1):
Bans don’t work. As an addiction medicine specialist and a health policy scholar, I have had a front-row seat to the harms of a plethora of addictive substances and I have a robust understanding of how regulations impact use.
Unquestionably, kratom and its derivatives can be harmful. But banning a substance doesn’t make it go away. We have 55 years of robust data demonstrating that criminalizing the use and sale of drugs doesn’t eliminate drug use. In fact, the Iron Law of Prohibition shows that stricter enforcement leads to increased potency of controlled substances. Further, at least in adolescents, data suggests that selling illegal drugs was more consistently associated with the frequency of violent crimes than using illegal drugs.
I believe we should regulate kratom and its synthetic derivatives, 7-OH and mitragynine. But the regulation should be rational and enforceable. That there is harm is indisputable, just as there is harm in all things. The dose makes the poison. But to ban a substance encourages an illegal market, limits our ability to rationally regulate and makes the available substance (and make no mistake, there will be available substance) more harmful.
Nancy Connolly, M.D., MPH, Seattle
Homelessness: Proven strategies’
Re: “Mayor Wilson wants more deliberate approach to homelessness clearings” (Oct. 21, Local News):
Coverage of Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s approach to homelessness highlighted important questions about how our community responds to people living unsheltered. However, one significant part of the solution was notably absent.
As a small-business owner and someone who lives in this community, I care deeply about finding practical, effective solutions that help people while improving our neighborhoods. For nearly 140 years, The Salvation Army has been part of that work in Seattle. The organization operates four shelters in the downtown area and provides emergency shelter, meals, case management and pathways toward stability. It was also a partner in the recent Pioneer Square cleanup alongside REACH and Purpose Dignity Action.
The article references shelter investments costing $45,000 to $90,000 per unit. While every approach has a role, Seattle should also consider proven, cost-effective strategies that can quickly expand shelter capacity. During the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, funding enabled The Salvation Army’s Sodo Shelter to add 35 beds, creating immediate capacity at a fraction of those costs.
With 84 cents of every donated dollar going directly to programs and services, The Salvation Army demonstrates both effectiveness and stewardship. Let’s direct our attention and resources toward organizations focused on delivering solutions.
Frank Podany, Seattle, board member, The Salvation Army Northwest Division
Clean energy: A step in the right direction
Re: “Senate reaches bipartisan deal on permitting bill to speed approvals of new energy projects” (Sept. 30, Nation):
I’m excited about the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, expected to come up for a floor vote when the Senate returns in November. I hope Washington U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray will vote yes.
Some environmental groups oppose this bill, decrying losing protections for the environment. I understand why. We’ve used inefficient permitting to stop dangerous fossil fuel projects. Now that the permitting queue is about 90% green and renewables are cheaper to build, it’s time to take the brakes off. Modeling shows this bill as a whole can save households $19 billion for electricity and power companies $125 billion, while accelerating clean energy transition. Delaying this bill, sticking with the status quo, is already bad for affordability, health and the environment.
Data centers plan to build their own power mainly because connecting to the grid can be slow and can strain already insufficient infrastructure. BAAJA streamlines connection and rewards upgrading, while making data centers pay their fair share and removing impetus to build their own.
You’ve heard the adage, “perfect is the enemy of the good.” As a project manager, I say, “perfect is the enemy of done.” Let’s get this done!
Michelle Williams, Mercer Island
State Supreme Court: ‘Curtail the use of partisan tactics’
As a retired judge, I am dismayed to see how partisan our state Supreme Court elections have become. The paramount duty of a judge is to dispassionately decide cases without fear or favor based upon the law and the facts. Endorsements and support from a wide spectrum of political perspectives should be viewed as evidencing confidence that the candidate will give all litigants a fair hearing regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. In today’s political climate, however, such endorsements are being viewed as indicating ideological allegiance rather than neutrality and fairness.
Judges are not politicians and should never become politicians. Their commitment to the electorate is to be true to the constitution and the rule of law, not to popular sentiment. In my decades on the bench, I found that Washington state was blessed to have a judiciary committed to this lofty premise. I urge our state Supreme Court to take affirmative action immediately to curtail the use of partisan tactics in judicial elections. Such tactics diminish public confidence in the judiciary, undermine the rule of law and fail to serve the people of this state. We can and should do better.
Judge Jeffrey M. Ramsdell, retired, Seattle
