Farmworkers: ‘Trying to improve their lives’
Re: “Guest Workers” (Oct. 11, Pacific NW Magazine):
Thank you so much for the very moving — indeed, gut-wrenching — article by David Guterson on guest workers. My heart goes out to all those folks who come to our country and work so hard for months at a time for minimal pay to send home to their families. Yet they are so grateful to be able to do so.
Similarly, many others have come here without legal documentation as well and have now been here for years, raised families and lead exemplary lives working hard to improve their station in life. Like seasonal farmworkers, many of them are also doing jobs that few if any members of our society are willing to perform.
I don’t understand how our current government and so many people in our country can begrudge these hardworking, law-abiding and well-intentioned immigrants who are here trying to improve their lives while not causing any problems the ability to stay.
Frank S. Loulan, Bellingham
Important to farmers, consumers
Thank you for publishing the excellent article about the guest workers in Washington. They are important to our farmers and to us as consumers. We would have much less choice about fruits and vegetables without their hard work.
Arthur Hopkins, Federal Way
H-1B visas: ‘Boost education funding
Re: “The Trump administration is suspending Microsoft from a green card program, alleging fraud” (Oct. 8, Business):
If the Trump administration wants to cancel H-1B visas for foreign technical, scientific and medical workers with the argument that they “take American jobs,” then boost education funding as tuition is too expensive. There are not enough seats in universities nor are they affordable for those wanting to enter those careers.
Mike Gleeson, Port Ludlow
Wealth disparity: ‘Huge slices vs. crumbs’
The article “Progressive groups, unions announce wealth tax initiative aimed at 2028 Oregon ballot” (Oct. 10, Local News), reprinted from the Oregon Capital Chronicle, went out of its way to emphasize how “powerful” and “influential” the groups are, and how they “hold significant sway.”
The groups are fighting for those in our society who are less powerful against the billionaires who hold the real power. Elon Musk bought President Donald Trump’s election, and got tax cuts and breaks, and government contracts, in return, and is spending more than $276 million to buy this one (“Elon Musk quietly becomes biggest known donor in midterm contests as he tries to save Republicans,” (Oct. 12, Nation).
In contrast, the David Horsey political cartoon “Getting a piece of the American pie is out of reach for most” (Oct. 10, Opinion) shows “How America’s economic pizza is actually sliced, per capita,” contrasting the top 1%, merely wealthy, upper middle class and lower 50% — huge slices vs. crumbs.
Tim Hesterberg, Seattle
Healthcare: Science, not politics
Re: “Sen. Murray’s plan seeks to ‘politics-proof’ public health” (Oct. 15, A1):
Hats off to Washington U.S. Sen. Patty Murray for caring about health concerns that affect the public.
I had COVID-19 for the first time and did not realize what I had. I thought it was just the flu until I got tested at urgent care. I was sick for about 10 days and it took going to three pharmacies to find Paxlovid.
Why were the pharmacies out of medication and why has there been little to no information given to the public? No thanks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is working with a skeleton crew and lacking the support of experienced employees. What an awful situation we are in.
Health affairs should not be political but based on science.
Laurie Belfor, Seattle
Judicial candidates: ‘Stubborn objectivity’
Re: “How do I research the state Supreme Court candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot?” (Oct. 15, Opinion):
Thanks to Professor Hugh Spitzer for his advice on selecting among judicial candidates. He clearly covered the essential points. I would add only that the ideal candidate should have the background and experience to resolve really difficult questions, since no question survives the settlement process and thus arrives at court if there is an obvious or clear answer.
Judges see only the most difficult cases. Selecting candidates to resolve such questions, we look for evidence of stubborn objectivity, sustained attention to technical detail, a demonstrated ability to disregard political slogans and other oversimplifications, and a deep commitment to fairness.
William R. Andersen, Seattle, Judson Falknor Professor of Law, emeritus, University of Washington Law School
Vulnerable children: ‘Broken system’
Re: “State, school district to pay $49M in autistic teen’s death” (Oct. 15, A1):
I cannot get the photo and story of Karreon Adams-Franks out of my mind. His face broke my heart. He is the innocent victim at the hands of a broken system (state and local). This has been happening for years here in Washington. While the civil damage suit award is some restitution, how does it help to improve the services we need to protect these children and prevent these tragic events from occurring?
As a nation, between this kind of abuse and the constant news of school shootings, among other issues, we seem to have lost our sense of our most important resource: our children. It is no wonder that many here in the U.S. question whether to bring them into the world.
Melisse Barrett, Seattle
State parks: ‘Environmental degradation’
Re: “Golf course plan at oceanfront state park divides recreationists” (Oct. 19, A1):
To read the glossy narrative regarding the proposed Westport Golf Links is to ignore basic ecological and public land reality. Promoters market this luxury playground as a savior for Westport Light State Park and the region, yet independent oversight tells a vastly different story.
Taking public lands for a links-style golf course is not stewardship of our public lands, it is corporate environmental degradation packaged for wealthy tourists at the expense of the public, wildlife and taxpayers.
State parks exists to protect our precious natural heritage for all residents, not to act as a real estate broker for affluent developers. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission must reject this vanity project before public trust is permanently traded away for uninvestigated promises.
Meghan Anderson, Ellensburg
Affordable housing: Slow start
Re: “Seattle’s social housing developer buys second site for affordable apartments” (Oct. 17, A1) and “Spiritual Journey” (Oct. 18, Pacific Northwest Magazine):
I read with disbelief the story that the Seattle Social Housing Developer has revealed a second location for its new “affordable apartments” — a 20-unit building with (wait for it) a grand total of two apartments set aside for people making at or below 30% of the area median income ($44,400 for a family of three).
In Sunday’s magazine, another story focused on the 125th anniversary of the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple. The temple owns and operates Wisteria View Manor, which has 86 low income elderly affordable housing units — 86! At Seattle Social Housing that would require 43 new buildings at their current appalling rate of two affordable units per building.
Can we just hire the people at Wisteria View Housing (the temple-funded nonprofit) to get something effective done with all those funds we voted for in 2023?
Jacqueline Houston, Seattle
State ferries: ‘Workers did what they had to do’
Re: “State, ferry workers hope to chart new course after recent sickout” (Oct. 13, A1):
Hooray for ferry workers charting a “new course.” The story of the engineers “sickout” is inspiring in an era where workers are told to shut up, sit down and tighten their belts. Our ferry system came to a screeching halt when enough specialized staff rightfully claimed accrued sick leave. Before the system shutdown, their concerns were being ignored.
Short-staffing and pushing loads of overtime is a poor and inhumane way to budget. Why aren’t more ferry engineers being trained and hired? Most workers would rather have living wages and reasonable shift schedules with time to recover. Working massive overtime will eventually lead to illness and/or injury. It is also unsafe. So ferry workers did what they had to do. And in the end they served the public by standing up (or shutting down!) for a well-rested, fully-staffed, fairly-compensated crew.
Now it is up to the Legislature to find the money in a state well-known for wealth.
Linda Averill, Seattle
Public servants: Speak out against intimidation tactics
Re: “Suspicious package sent to Jayapal’s Seattle office prompts evacuation” (Oct. 16, Local News) and “Adam Smith’s Kent office evacuated in latest suspicious letter sent to lawmaker” (Oct. 19, Oct. 19 Local News):
I was glad to hear that there was no dangerous substance found and no one was injured at either U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s or U.S. Rep. Adam Smith’s offices. As a constituent of Rep. Jayapal’s, I sent a note to her staff letting them know they are in the thoughts and prayers of many across the region.
In fact, threatening packages have been mailed to elections officials and legislators across the country. Public servants do not deserve this kind of trauma and abuse. These dedicated people have my heartfelt appreciation for the work they do each day to help sustain our democracy and build a better world, not just for U.S. citizens, but all people everywhere.
We must all speak out against these types of intimidation tactics and unacceptable attacks on our public servants.
Melessa Rogers, Burien
Medicaid: Employment should be part of discussion
Re: “Report says Medicare cuts would cost hospitals $6B” (Oct. 21, Northwest):
As a retired healthcare CEO, I understand and sympathize with hospitals’ need for adequate Medicaid reimbursement. However, the article gives insufficient attention to a central purpose of the legislation: encouraging adults who can work to enter the workforce.
Washington had an estimated 121,000 job openings in December 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While those positions will not fit every applicant, connecting eligible Medicaid recipients with employment deserves attention alongside predictions of lost coverage.
For adults subject to the requirements, qualifying work can preserve Medicaid eligibility while providing earned income. Employment may also create a path to employer-sponsored insurance. Those opportunities — and encouragement and assistance to pursue them — belong in this discussion. Leaving them out is incomplete and lacks fair reporting.
Hospitals’ financial concerns are legitimate. So is the expectation that adults who can work contribute toward their own support. Isn’t that what the rest of us do? A fuller article would examine both.
Michael Liepman, Gig Harbor
