Letters to the Editor for Aug. 2, 2018

Larry Hoff best choice for no new taxes

If you don’t want an energy tax, which will cost us all at least 15 cents per gallon at the pump — Larry Hoff is the best choice for State Representative in the 18th District. If you don’t want a state income tax — Larry Hoff is the best choice. If you don’t want a state capital gains tax — Larry Hoff is the best choice. Larry Hoff is the best choice for state representative from the 18th District, Position 2. Please join me and vote for Larry Hoff, a proven leader.

Brianne Johnson, Camas

McDevitt most suitable for 3rd District

For the first time in my adult life, I am able to exercise a right that could be considered the foundation of our country: my right to vote. While not presidential, my congressional vote is just as important. I’ve researched the candidates for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, and I believe David McDevitt is the most suitable for the job. He’s fighting for the issues I care about, and he’s got the skills to win those fights as a businessman, a financial manager, an attorney, and a veteran. I believe America is in good hands with people like David in Congress.

Connor Rasmussen, Vancouver

McDevitt only 3rd District candidate moving toward 100 percent renewables

On July 11, the Congressional Research published a report titled “Service Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs.” The report shows a severe downward trend in federal funding and incentives for alternative energies over the past two years. For the 2019 fiscal year $67 million was requested to the solar energy technologies program (SETP) down from $206.2 million in 2018. The drop in funding for the SETP is not an anomaly, federal funding for these types of programs are being gutted across the board. These budget cuts are coming at a time that we can least afford them. 2018 is on track to be the fourth hottest year on record according to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); the only years hotter were 2015, 2016, and 2017. While we cut back investments in clean energy China is going all in; according to the New York Times, in 2017 China spent a staggering $126.6 billion on energy alternatives compared to the $40.6 billion the U.S. spent. As the U.S. divests from clean energy, China is aiming to nearly triple its investments to $360 billion by 2020. As far as the Democratic Primary in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, David McDevitt is strongly in favor of the financial incentives and government subsidies that we need to move America toward 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.

Grace Purvis, Portland

Long’s dedication to community obvious

My dad always told me that you won’t make any money as a barber, but you will get an education. Well, after being a barber in Kelso for 57 years, I’ve got an education. Among other skills, I’ve learned to communicate with people, to read people and to know when I’ve met someone special. Which is why I am writing today: I’ve just met someone special who is running for Congress in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District and her name is Carolyn Long.

I strongly support Carolyn Long and I urge you to do so as well. Over the years, I’ve counseled dozens of political candidates and I know a good one when I see one. I’m not a Democrat or a Republican — I vote for the candidate, not the party. Carolyn is honest, qualified, bright, well-spoken and energetic. And she comes from modest beginnings. She grew up in a rural community and helped in the family business, then worked her way through college to become an professor. And she cares about Southwest Washington. Carolyn’s efforts to foster relationships with voters through her many town halls and events shows her commitment to the community. I have been so impressed by Carolyn that this is the first time in fifty years that I am writing a letter in support of a candidate. Her professional experience and unique skills are exactly what we need in Washington D.C. and it is crucial that we gain support throughout the district.

I encourage you all to support Carolyn Long however you can: vote, volunteer, donate, talk to friends and family. Southwest Washingtonians need a representative in Congress as qualified and hardworking as Long. Together, we can send Carolyn Long to Congress and finally get the representation we deserve.

Bill Ammons, Castle Rock, Washington

Support Measure 1631

It has been hot and dry here; the temperature reached 121 in Phoenix; there were at least 70 heat related deaths in Quebec last month; 40 people recently died in Japan due to record heat; all four continents are experiencing extreme heat. The U.S. generates more than its share of world greenhouse gas. Increasingly extreme weather is predicted. Ballot measure 1631 sets a realistic goal to transition to renewable energy in an equitable way. We have to move away from fossil fuel as quickly as possible.

Numbers are in the first sentence of the article at cnn.com/2018/07/23/world/global-heatwaves-climate-change-wxc/index.html.

Kristin Edmark, Battle Ground

Urge legislators to back Senate’s version of farm bill

Since I wrote about protecting the SNAP program last month, Congress has taken the next step to making the decision. (‘Speak to officials to help children’ by Willie Dickerson, Camas-Washougal Post-Record, June 28, 2018.) Both the Senate and the House have passed Farm Bills. The House bill would cut SNAP funding and increase hunger, while the Senate bill keeps SNAP at its current level. These two versions of the Farm Bill now go to a conference committee to iron out the differences. Constituents can help prevent a disastrous outcome of an increase in hunger by urging those who represent them in Congress to choose the Senate version of the SNAP program, so no cuts are made. Our calls and letters can sway the decision in favor of children, the elderly, and those currently in poverty. Remember the SNAP program is designed to as a temporary help in hard times, but if it is unavailable, hunger increases.

Willie Dickerson, Snohomish, Washington

McDevitt, Gasque best choices for 3rd District

Vote wisely! Of three Democratic candidates for 3rd Congressional District, one representative is a self-proclaimed pragmatist, which to me means, whatever it takes to compromise and pass something even if it is not what you want, and immediately received endorsement from Washington State Democrat Party elites. Two candidates have taken no PAC money, have formulated solutions to current problems and the best interest of “we the people” is foremost in their platforms.

I hope you will consider both David McDevitt, who has been holding town halls and formulating solutions to our district’s problems for three years, and Dorothy Gasque, who shows common sense in her solutions such as find money for infrastructure by stop blowing up and rebuilding foreign countries.

As an incumbent with over one million dollars to spend, I would want to run against someone with less money who would be an easy target for attack because of living short time in the district. I am very concerned for the future of my grandchildren and great-grandson.

Please consider carefully before you vote.

Carrie Potts, Kalama, Washington

These letters were too late for print edition

David McDevitt speaks plainly

I have spoken with David about many issues of concern with voters in our District.

He speaks in plain language. He listens and thinks about the issues. He has vision and solutions.

He knows the quality of life matters to us all. We live in an area of clean air and water. David will defend Washington from corporations that want to dump fossil fuels in the Columbia River and has spoken-out strongly against this type of assault.

He envisions the future for family-wage jobs with clean energy futures. He wants sustainable, healthy jobs with longevity.

He promotes a health care system that provides quality care for everyone with a single payor. This system would likely give us more $ in our pockets by reducing premiums dictated by private insurers on a regional basis. The premiums would be spread out over the entire country.

David is the person for the job.

We deserve the best for our representation.

Vote for (y)our future.

VOTE for David McDevitt.

Gary Wallace, Kalama

McDevitt stands up against dirty, deadly fossil fuels

David McDevitt stands up and speaks out against dirty, deadly fossil fuels. McDevitt doesn’t equivocate. He is putting people first by fighting to protect our planet — and won’t let up as Washington’s new Third District congressman. We’ve heard him at public hearings, denouncing the Vancouver oil terminal, the Longview coal terminal, and a methanol refinery in Kalama. Processing these products creates cancer-causing combinations that endanger everyone’s health.

McDevitt consistently champions clean water and clean air. Any candidate who has adjusted her opinion on these issues should explain herself fully.

Lory Olson, Vancouver

Vote for Eileen Quiring

I just finished reading an article from the Columbian: https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.columbian.com%2Fnews%2F2018%2Fjul%2F31%2Fmarc-boldt-calls-out-eileen-quiring-campaign-mailer-clark-county-chair%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C610784fb93b34ecd720408d5f777e2d8%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636687016652854588&sdata=%2FP3%2FUoVnX6RB%2FSnwZRr6j9JP594LJusRqlCho563Mg0%3D&reserved=0 regarding Marc Boldt’s complaining about a negative campaign with his opponent Eileen Quiring. The facts speak for themselves. Don’t be fooled. Boldt is scared and whining. Vote Quiring. She won’t raise your taxes and did not the last time!

Shirley Mozena, Vancouver

McDevitt understands all need healthcare

If you believe that healthcare is a universal human right, please vote. If you believe people should not have financial crises resulting from seeking health care, please vote now. David McDevitt is a progressive New Deal Democrat who understands that freedom from want and freedom from fear are tied to a living wage, paid family leave, public education, affordable accessible health care, secure pensions and old age care. He understands that a huge tax break for billionaires and corporations are going to be paid for by all of us through cuts to Social Security and Medicare. These are life and death matters. Please vote. Now.

Mary Bardmess, Camas

Vote for David McDevitt

We have three good Democratic candidates here in the Washington 3rd Congressional District running to unseat our congress woman who votes with Trump more than 90% of the time. All three of these Democrats are good candidates, but I am supporting David McDevitt. David has been running for this seat longer than other candidates, so he has met more constituents and learned what the people of this district need. McDevitt is right that a Canadian-style single payer national healthcare system would be better for us than Medicare for all. We’d have to substantially overhaul Medicare to make that plan work. McDevitt understands the link between protecting our environment and improving our economy. Lastly, McDevitt has the necessary money to run against our Trump loving congressional representatives, which the other Democrats do not.

Mark McCarron-Fraser, Vancouver