Letters to the Editor

Editor’s note: Paddy McGuire is a candidate for Mason County auditor. This letter is being published as a rebuttal to a previous letter. Letters by candidates for public office in Mason County will generally not be published except in response to previous letters.

Duenkel traffics in doubt

Editor, the Journal,

In his letter in last week’s Journal, my opponent says that he wants to “educate voters on every aspect of our election system.” I’ve been an election professional for two decades and I prefer educators that have at least a vague understanding of their subject matter.

Mr. Duenkel seeks to cast doubt on ClearBallot, our election management system in Mason County, by suggesting that it is not properly certified, even though the certification document was printed in the Journal the week earlier with Kirk Ericson’s column. He devotes three paragraphs to attempting to confuse you and raise questions about our system.

I’ll tell you the truth: Our election management is certified and complies with every applicable federal, state and local law.Having an auditor who only believes the results that he agrees with is very dangerous. My opponent brought a man named Douglas Frank to Mason County to campaign for him and touts Frank’s endorsement on his Facebook page. Frank is an election denier whose theories about election fraud have been called “idiotic” by The Washington Post. Frank just had his phone seized by the FBI in connection with a Colorado case of a rogue election official who gave the source code of her election management system illegally to Frank. That system was then decertified by the state of Colorado, costing the county hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Casting doubt and undercutting confidence is easy, building confidence in our safe, secure and accurate election system is hard. My opponent is a skilled politician who raises doubt and suspicion but offers no solutions.

Here is the truth: In November 2020, 10 of 11 races contested between a Democrat and a Republican in Mason County were won by the Republican. I’m a Democrat and stand by those results as accurate and I certified them because they represent the will of the voters in Mason County, even though not all were my choice.

I have worked hard to ensure that our elections are safe and secure and that every eligible voter has the opportunity to vote and only those eligible are able to. I ask for your vote to continue my work.

Paddy McGuire, Shelton

Rebuttal to rebuttal

Editor, the Journal,

Last week, Steve Duenkel wrote a rebuttal. In it, he failed to address the audit he ran, but it also contained a misstatement of law. Mr. Duenkel droned on loud and long about the certification of ClearVote 2.1 software. In it, he winds up saying that the secretary of state broke the law by approving a system not specifically approved by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

I took the time to pull up the relevant statutes. You can find it in RCW 29A.12. The language in the statute and the sources cited by the EAC don’t say that the system must be approved by the EAC, but rather that it be tested by an EAC lab. Now, Mr. Duenkel might think his preferred certification should be required. But it doesn’t, and there really is no reason why this would translate into some sort of fraud. In fact, it is actually a pretty easy thing to audit if you even halfway know what to do.

We have seen Mr. Duenkel run a half-fast audit. Now we have a statement that shows a fundamental inability to take the short time it took to look up the law. So, why would I think he has anything other than an agenda? And that agenda is to pick apart any technicality or odd bit of information to suggest elections are somehow insecure and there is some sort of credible threat of massive fraud. Projecting much? This is a classic case of confirmation bias.

Confirmation bias occurs whenever the proponent starts with a conclusion and sets out to prove it. When you do that, every piece of information you look at will seem to prove your point. Except in complex systems, it doesn’t. This is exactly Mr. Duenkel’s problem. Everything looks like the work of the devil. Was he a Boeing engineer? Because my late father-in-law, a United crew chief and lead mechanic, swore that Boeing engineers ran around with socks on their ears.

But this is giving Mr. Duenkel credit for not simply being a parrot for dark money groups. I found his exact complaint on one of those election conspiracy websites. I tried to trace back who was behind it and simply ran into some proxy LLC. So, we don’t know who these people are. I guess they aren’t proud enough to put their own names on it. But they are con artists making inaccurate statements. So, maybe Mr. Duenkel has just been conned. But remember, a con works by preying on the predilection of the mark.

Oh, and how about telling us what an upgrade will cost? And who will have to cough that up? Did the county commissioners vote on paying for this? You know that the auditor can’t conjure up the money. So, did anyone on the commission bring that up? You have two Republican members. Or were they too busy trying to figure out how to give away sewer improvements to large landholders?

Andrew Makar, Hoodsport

Sister backs brother

Editor, the Journal,

My name is Leah Thompson and I am endorsing Steve Duenkel as the new auditor for Mason County. I have witnessed and experienced the unprecedented disturbing events that have occurred in this country and around the world that combined have left us more divided than we have ever been.

Division in the workplace; in our families; friendships and political affiliations. We have become intolerant toward one another. Steve has a vision of bringing people back together by establishing a common ground in our demand for honesty, transparency and accountability from our local elected officials. This is why he is a great candidate for Mason County auditor. I happen to be a lifelong Democrat and there is nothing I would like more than for all of us to be at peace with one another.

I have known Steve for 59 years, he is my brother, and one thing I will attest to is that he is a trustworthy person. He will stand up for what is right and just and is not the type to give up or give in to pressure or persuasion. It’s time for a fresh start, so give him your vote. You won’t be disappointed.

Leah Thompson, Trumbull, Connecticut

Kilmer confused

Editor, the Journal,

U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer is as confused as President Joe Biden.

Derek Kilmer’s statement in the Sept. 29 issue of the Shelton-Mason Journal was just as confusing as listening to Biden speak. In his first sentence he said he “was committed to bringing people together,” then in the very next sentence, he slammed those who voted for Trump, which was half the country. Saying “Trump Republicans in Congress believe that blocking progress may help them win elections.” Is that bringing people together? Democrats have brought on inflation, increasing crime, perversion in schools and high fuel prices. “They” said Trump would bring us to war, has anyone seen what is going on with Ukraine lately? We had peace under Trump, where Biden is putting us on the brink of World War III and the far left, like Kilmer, is rooting for this. Kilmer uses the “excuse” that Republicans are blocking progress when they oversee everything, except the judicial, that seems to be overturning all their illegal “progress.” As an American of Mexican descent, I used to be a staunch Democrat, until I opened my eyes to the perverse things the far left is calling progress. A vote for Elizabeth Kreiselmaier is a vote to bring back our country to its senses, all citizens remember.

Jim Amador, Shelton

Vote ‘yes’ on levy

Editor, the Journal,

We are writing in support of the Southside School Educational Programs and Operations levy (EP&O) to provide the resources that students need to succeed. This levy replaces the EP&O levy that will expire in December, so passage on Nov. 8 is crucial.

Over the years, Southside School District has had tremendous community support, passing levies and bonds to meet the needs of its students. This Southside levy is vital for the everyday educational programs, operations and maintenance of Southside School. This levy is a replacement levy; it is not new, but continued funding for the next four years.

Funding education, which provides support for the growth and development of the children in our community, is the primary responsibility for those of us who live in the Southside District. The EP&O levy provides textbooks, school supplies, utilities, building maintenance, and educational support staff. This levy is necessary for Southside to continue its great job of educating students in this area.

Please support the kids with your “yes” vote!

Susan and Mike Barnard, Shelton

Rhodes for clerk

Editor, the Journal,

I would like to take this opportunity to encourage Mason County voters to vote Charles Rhodes for Mason County clerk. Rhodes is running on a promise of leadership, integrity, accountability and trust. Mr. Rhodes has a background in finance enabling him to navigate the complex political and budgeting arena for the Clerk’s Office. As an investigator, accountant and advocate, he has extensive experience with the courts and county clerks. He is an accomplished leader and has operated his own business for many years, providing him with the skills to take charge and get things done.

The Mason County Clerk’s Office faces some important challenges that the incumbent has simply ignored and not addressed. To be fair, these issues have not been addressed for years, but Rhodes has a plan to address the following issues:

1. Currently the Clerk’s Office has a backlog of past due accounts receivable amounting to an excess of $41 million. These accounts consist of fines, restitutions and court costs that have been imposed by judges, but have not been collected. Unfortunately, roughly 21 million dollars of the uncollected money is restitution due to crime victims. Rhodes has a plan to actively pursue these collections by having a dedicated and highly trained collections deputy to actively pursue these delinquent accounts.

2. The Clerk’s Office currently has a staggering backlog of documents that need to be digitized in accordance with best practices. Currently, the Mason County Clerk’s Office has a backlog of over 3 million pages. This backlog causes delays in retrieval and has caused judges to have to continue cases because they have not been furnished with required documents. Rhodes has a plan to accelerate the digitizing of documents and bring the system current.

3. The lack of leadership from the incumbent has resulted in the departure of several key employees. Staff morale is currently at a low point. A public records request disclosed a scathing exit interview from one of those departing employees. Workloads have increased due to unfilled positions and some employees have been assigned duties, but have received no training to take on those duties successfully. Charles Rhodes has the initiative, drive and dedication to provide the necessary leadership to solve these issues.

4. Charles Rhodes will come to the Clerk’s Office with a strong background in finance. His training and experience would have prevented the negative audit findings by the Washington state Auditor’s Office in 2017, when it was discovered that the incumbent had failed to file reports with the state of Washington required by law and also found insufficient internal controls in the office.

So please, Mason County voters, join me in voting for Charles Rhodes for Mason County clerk on Nov. 8.

Dean Byrd, Shelton

Oath saves Trump

Editor, the Journal,

I start reading each of the letters to the editor every week, but I don’t finish all of them. Still, when I read Roderic Whittaker’s tome two issues ago, which began with the same quote I used when I sent an irate letter to President Joe Biden regarding his namby-pamby response to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when that president first asked for military aid for Ukraine, I knew I was in for the long haul. And I did read Whittaker’s entire letter.

Wow! Did Mr. Whittaker ever get his conclusion wrong. While Whittaker wants us to read the “Constitution’s oath he (Trump) broke …” the oath is actually what saves ex-President Donald Trump. Why? Because it says that “I Donald Trump, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States and will to the best of my ability …”

Defense? “I did my best. No other man could have done better.” Ego might slow him from saying this, but a good, or anyway persuasive, attorney would prevail upon him to humble himself briefly, considering the potential consequences of not doing so.

It’s a good thing the oath doesn’t mention the financial stability of the country or Mr. Whittaker would have to write another letter to the newspaper about the current president.

Donna Davis, Shelton

Pastore backs McGuire

Editor, the Journal,

This my second letter on candidates for office in Mason County, this week, the county auditor.

Last week the Journal’s opinion contributor wrote a piece on the auditor candidates and congratulated candidate Duenkel’s efforts to correct alleged anomalies in Mason County’s election system. He may have missed a report on Mason County elections by TV station KING 5.

Here is a quote from a KING 5 News’ investigation into the claim by Mr. Duenkel’s Mason County Research Project. “The challenger to the incumbent Mason County Auditor Paddy McGuire began as an investigation to uncover fraud and incompetence in Mason County elections.”

To their tremendous credit for solid investigative journalism, KING 5 debunked most of Mr. Duenkel’s claims. KING 5’s reporter Chris Ingalls says of the Duenkel report: “[The Research Project] hit pay dirt — literally an empty lot of dirt and trees with no house. Yet, four voters were registered at this Belfair property.” Ingalls continues with: “But there was a problem. The volunteers made a wrong turn. The voters in the county’s registration records do live on Coulter Creek, however, they live on the other side of the road.”

Of the 239 suspected “anomalies,” 172 were not, leaving 67. That’s 67 out of 44,500 voters in Mason. Percentage-wise, it’s a little more than 1% of 1%. And one of those anomalies is me because my address is a post office box because the United States Postal Service doesn’t deliver to my home.

There are two pieces to the KING 5 report: the actual footage shown on the station of the Mason County investigation and a textual description, both of them are on KING 5’s website at KING5.com. Go to their search bar and type in “Mason County.” The number one item will be the report.

Disclaimer: I work closely with the county’s Election Office in my unpaid volunteer efforts at a Mason County port. The Election Department’s work is exquisite and helps us tremendously when we have to install a new commissioner, or as just recently, redistricting due to the 2020 census.

As for the two candidates, I only know that Mr. Duenkel’s qualifications are that he is a former Boeing manager.

As for Mr. McGuire, I pulled this from the county website:

“Paddy McGuire was elected as Mason County auditor in 2018. He oversees elections, manages the recording of documents and motor vehicle licensing, and is involved in county finance. Previously, McGuire served as deputy director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program, the Department of Defense agency charged with ensuring that service members, their families and citizens living overseas get to vote. McGuire had previously served as Oregon deputy secretary of state, implementing vote by mail statewide, and as director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the United States Department of the Interior. McGuire has also held positions at the Bonneville Power Administration and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and several private companies involved in elections. McGuire is a certified election administrator.”

Robert A. Pastore, Grapeview

Vote experience

Editor, the Journal,

Thank you, Kirk Ericson, for your Sept. 22 article on election integrity. Some of the things I have heard on the streets have made me wonder if someone is stretching the truth, or if there is any truth to the allegations aimed at Paddy McGuire, our Mason County auditor.

Paddy is not a newcomer to elections. He has 20 years of election experience, including being Oregon deputy secretary of state, where he implemented vote-by-mail and was project executive for the Oregon Centralized Voter Registration system. He also served in the U.S. Department of Defense as deputy director of Defense’s Federal Voting Assistance Program. He has worked in elections in the private sector for organizations such as the Democracy Fund and the Military Officers Association of America.

My first email communications with Paddy were concerning the integrity of the remote ballot drop boxes, followed by my concern about the protection of the ballot-counting machinery. His responses were quick, thorough and answered my questions. In my opinion, Mason County has been very fortunate to have an auditor with the knowledge and abilities of Paddy McGuire. He deserves to be re-elected.

By the way, I am not a Democrat. I am a lifelong Republican, first registered as one when I was 21 years old and eligible to vote, 63 years ago.

Paul K. Davis, Shelton

Thank you, Steve

Editor, the Journal,

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

This letter is inspired by recent letters to the editor authored by Eric Valley and William Busacca in the Sept. 29 publication. They were both very inflammatory and accusatory, common decency and facts were missing.

I served on the Mason County Voter Research Project, so I do know what I speak of. The mission of the research was to investigate the potential anomalies in our voter registration rolls. Our findings were presented to our Mason County auditor, the person in charge of our county elections, with the simple request that he look into what we discovered and let us know his findings. The response from him was “I don’t have the legislative authority or staffing to investigate your ‘anomalies.’ ” Our current auditor must not realize that in Mason County we don’t appreciate being “put off” and not taken seriously. As if this wasn’t bad enough, he’s now telling the media that he provided our team with a copy of his findings. We have never received this information.

Next thing that happens is that KING 5 News from Seattle is covering the auditor’s race in little ol’ Mason County? Pointing out that yes, some of the findings by the Mason County Voter Research Project were valid. The race was even a topic on Dinesh D’Souza’s podcast. Dinesh was questioning what is going on with this auditor in Mason County, Washington. Wow, Steve Duenkel must be onto something to be gaining this much attention on the national airwaves.

I will close with another quote from the play “Hamlet,” by William Shakespeare: “Something is rotten in the State of Denmark.” Thank you, Steve Duenkel, for your tenacity in making sure our elections are as good as they can be.

Leslie Peterson, Chairman of the Republican Women’s Club of Mason County, Shelton

Check your words

Editor, the Journal,

In real estate, the mantra for housing value is “Location, location, location.” When writing letters to the editor I wish more people would use the literary corollaries, “vocabulary, vocabulary” and “definition, definition, definition.”

As an example, I was described as “a flat-earthier.” Suspecting that it was being used derogatorily, I checked the web-based dictionaries. Wiktionary defines “flat-earther” as “(figuratively, by extension, derogatory). A person who believes or advocates an outlandish, discredited theory; a person who refuses to acknowledge the truth despite overwhelming evidence.” Hum, just by asking for information sources for an opinion makes me a flat-earther? Interesting to note that my accuser believes that the 2020 election was won fraudulently by President Joe Biden despite all evidence to the contrary. The same writer used the abbreviation “TDS” to describe another letter-writer with whom he disagrees. Again, when I checked online for “TDS,” I found it had two different meanings: “Trump devotional syndrome” and “Trump derangement syndrome.” Take your pick as to which he meant and/or subscribes.

There was also a letter-writer who reacted negatively to another’s storied discussion of the word “nationalism.” There is a distinct difference between patriotism and nationalism. Again, according to a knowledgeable source (dictionary.com), “Patriotism vs. nationalism: What’s the difference?” Nationalism is an extreme version of patriotism to the exclusion of all others. According to the article, nationalism may lead to jingoism (MAGA?) and isolationism (build the wall?) Read the whole article.

The original writer’s lesson was just that: a warning about nationalism taken to the extreme. I have been taken to task several times for using words or concepts too loosely. I would suggest others bone up on their vocabulary/definitions before showing off their ignorance (was tempted to say “stupidity,” but I won’t).

Bill Pfender, Shelton

‘A man of integrity’

Editor, the Journal,

Why would a card-carrying Democrat endorse a Republican candidate for Mason County auditor? To be transparent, Steve is my son-in-law. Because he is a member of my family and I consider him to be a man of integrity, I felt compelled to briefly share what I know about Steve. I didn’t discover that Steve was a Republican until I pulled up his Facebook page, he had never mentioned his political affiliation. Steve is always respectful, unfailingly kind and true to his word. Steve is very excited about the possibility of representing Mason County in this very important position. If you are looking for a candidate that is open, honest, hard-working and able to connect with, and represent not just you, but your neighbor as well, you can find that candidate in Steve.

Nancy Schrader, Port Townsend

GOP and history

Editor, the Journal,

I appreciate reading the letter of Roderic Whittaker. Keep going Mr. Whittaker and thank you, editor, for publishing them.

I just finished Lynne Olson’s book, “Citizens of London,” published by Random House. I now understand World War II so much better. I found a subject in the book that I thought might interest Mr. Whittaker and your readers. It’s about the creation of Social Security.

On page 20, Olson writes, “In August 1935, despite bitter Republican opposition, Congress passed the Social Security Act, the most sweeping piece of social legislation ever enacted in the United States and the New Deal’s most striking achievement. In making unemployment and old-age benefits available to all qualified Americans, it redefined and broadly expanded the government’s responsibility to its citizens. It was so revolutionary that the administration feared that it would be sabotaged by its many critics before it could take effect. Because of the ferocity of the GOP opposition, Roosevelt insisted that a prominent liberal Republican, Winant, (my aside: former governor of New Hampshire, Gil Winant) head the three-man Social Security board that would administer the new law … with a Senate filibuster holding up their funds, they functioned on a minimal budget for the first several months, borrowing offices in the new Labor Department building and operating with a skeleton staff, much of it lent by other government agencies … Nonetheless, the GOP and much of the nation’s business community were intent on killing Social Security.”

There’s more, much more, that shows how the Republican Party has worked against American working people for at least the last century or more.

Let’s remember our history.

If Republicans win a majority in the U.S. House, they will implement their “Commitment to America” plan which, among other things, will slash Medicare and Social Security. “Their nonspecific vow to save and strengthen Social Security and Medicare is especially insulting coming from a party that routinely threatens the stability of both.” — from an editorial in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, dated Sept. 26.

Olson’s book also covers Russia’s history of invading her neighbors, starting near the end of World War II, which resulted in the Cold War.

Karen Skinner, Shelton

War, now and then

Editor, the Journal,

The seas were running high. It was certain the rotten, overloaded boat was sinking — the refugees were fleeing for their lives and faced certain death. They were terrified with no hope of surviving what fate held for them. Then, across the horizon, a U.S. naval ship came into view. The ship came alongside, lowered lifeboats and saved the refugees. The boat sank 15 minutes later.

Dad never spoke to me about any of his wartime experiences. He joined the Navy in 1939 and stayed in for 20 years. He was a pilot and fought in the Battle of Midway. One time when I was very young, 8 or 9, he told me this story:

Dad’s ship was stationed off the coast of China with a humanitarian mission to save fleeing refugees. He told me he felt proud to save these people, and to realize the price of freedom.

The crew was doing everything they could for the survivors. Dad had taken special care of a very old woman who had two small children. After things had settled down, this wonderful lady came to dad and started kissing and hugging him. Speaking in Chinese, she cut open the hem of her clothes and gave dad her only possession — a beautiful hand-carved natural crystal statue of a foo dog. She refused to take it back. To my family, the memento is a symbol of freedom and the freedom of American democracy; it is kept in a place of honor in my home to this day. It shows you the price people will pay for freedom.

He explained to me what it means to serve our country and to honor the oath to the Constitution and to protect democracy. He told me the vote is the heart of America and must be protected even with your life. That is why this wonderful story of saved lives, and his experience and mine, are related to this coming election. One political party has staged a failed insidious coup to stop the vote. Justice will not be denied. In 2017, I read a book by the author Dr. Bandy Lee titled “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump.” In the book, 27 medical doctors of psychiatry diagnosed ex-President Donald Trump to be an insane sociopath. You do not need to be a doctor to know that, all you need is eyes, ears and a brain. Gen. John Kelly, Trump’s chief of staff, read the book and immediately resigned.

I am not a Democrat. I am an independent. I vote Democratic because they protect the Constitution. Like my father, I too, took the lifelong oath to defend the Constitution against foreign and domestic enemies. That is why I am writing. I have a 100% VA disability from my service in Vietnam. I enlisted in the Army in 1966 for three years. I volunteered to serve with the elite 173rd Airborne Infantry Brigade (Separate) paratroopers. I was an RTO (radio telephone operator) in a FO team (forward observer). I carried the radio and had to always stay at arm’s length of the FO. The radio is like a great big giant target on your back — shoot me first. I too, have seen the terrified refugees. I will never forget the cries, the smells, and the sounds and seeing the horror on their faces. One never forgets things like that.

I have been writing to appeal to the majority, the independents, to get involved. Trying to advise people what to do about the insurrection. I have never participated in any political events ever. A campaign worker for state Senate candidate Julianne Gale stopped by my house and invited me to attend an ice cream social for Ms. Gale. Damn. I had been called out — put up or shut up. Well, I am not going to shut up.

I went to the event and listened to her ideas and values she is putting forth. She projects an aura of integrity and wisdom that is reassuring in these times. We need a new vibrant, compassionate, younger generation of political leaders who want to meet in the middle and to govern from the middle for the good of all.

I know she is the right person to be our new senator of the 35th District for Mason County. She will bring integrity back into local government. The sleeping giant has woken up and she is mad. President Joe Biden said the Republicans do not have a clue to the power of American women. He said that they are going to find out. We need more women in our government. Remember “When they go low, we go high.” Please vote for Ms. Gale.

Roderic Whittaker, Shelton

Vote blue

Editor, the Journal,

To 35th Legislative District voters:We have great Democratic candidates in every race: local, state and national. Look at what Democrats stand for and have accomplished.

We have incumbents who have helped Washingtonians through legislation and monetary assistance to survive the pandemic, tackling the climate crisis, increasing access to broadband/internet, a truly transformative infrastructure bill, and many bills to improve voting rights and freedoms. We also have newer candidates, right in our 35th District who have deep commitment to local communities and concerns and will make our lives better. Democrats support “safety nets” such as Social Security, Medicaid/Medicare and are responsive to your thoughts and ideas.

Republicans are hostile to LGBTQ people/protections, including marriage equity, which Washington passed by initiative. My husband only gets $650 in Social Security after a lifetime of work, and if something happens to me, if we weren’t married, how would he survive? Our lives and livelihoods have been threatened because we proudly affirm who we are, sadly we are not alone. Our dog was poisoned, and shots fired into our domicile. Young LGBTQ people are denied services, books, programs, yet need more support. Local and national Republicans are threatening our rights; we must save our Democratic majorities in Congress.

Our country was founded on the basis of separation of church and state. When I was in public school, all students, regardless of belief, had to read from the New Testament, which was unfair and unconstitutional. Recent lawsuits and U.S. Supreme Court rulings have undermined freedom of religion (or none). Some want to establish a theocracy in America. We must expand human rights, including a woman’s reproductive rights.

Washington has easy access to voting and terrific success with mail-in voting which empowers citizens. Republicans want to restrict voting and are blocking dozens of Democratic House-passed bills through the unequal filibuster, including the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. As citizens we must end Citizen’s United — unlimited/unaccountable money which tries to buy candidates/elections. Let the bell of freedom be heard throughout the land — vote blue!

Michael Siptroth, 35th LD Democratic state committeeperson, Belfair

Dems are hypocrites

Editor, the Journal,

The Democrat platform is slogans: Defund the police; pay their fair share; woman’s right to choose; tax the rich; achievement is racist. Controlled immigration created Democratic sanctuary cities; uncontrolled immigration created chaos. Democrats polished their sanctuary halos until illegal immigrants came their way. Photos of rich white folks in Martha’s Vineyard escorting nonwhites off their island is the very picture of political dishonesty and racism. Sanctuary cities are great as long as illegals don’t actually move in next door. Temecula, California, recently asked for sanctuary-city status for the unborn; California’s attorney general threatened Temecula with legal action. Sanctimonious sanctuary double standards. Democrats use name-calling in lieu of facts. Their dictionary of hate includes words like racist, fascist. A Seminole County Republican headquarters in Florida had “fascist” spray-painted across their front window a week after Biden called Republicans fascists; former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called us a basket of deplorables. Democratic mayors ignore thugs attacking citizens; thugs are out of jail before the victim is out of the hospital. With murder, Democrats are more concerned with making guns illegal than holding killers responsible. Democrats believe they’re compassionate so reject the death penalty for guilty murderers but kills the innocent unborn. Venezuela empties their prisons and sends these prisoners to the U.S. across our “controlled?” southern border. There’s an alarming increase of deaths of kids because of fentanyl. The DEA announced they seized 10,000,000 fentanyl pills smuggled into the U.S. across a supposedly “controlled” border. These are U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer’s and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray’s policies. Hypocrites. Kilmer’s done nothing to fix inflation, crime, homelessness. He blames Republicans for his failures, but Democrats control the Senate. Kilmer’s best skill is making excuses. What’s Patty done? With all the issues facing our country, Murray’s biggest campaign issue is abortion. Murray calls it a woman’s right to choose; Kilmer calls it reproductive freedom. Unlimited freedom allows unlimited excesses. With 63,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade, we average about 23,350 abortions a week. Someone somewhere wanted a designer baby; no to a brown-eyed baby; yes for a blue-eyed baby. No to a baby not of the preferred race. The unwanted unborn can’t be returned to the factory. Getting rid of a baby is killing it. Don’t kid yourself, there’s been designer-created and designer-destroyed babies by selfish, contemptible human beings. Unlimited freedom of abortion is a woman’s right to choose. Reproductive freedom says designer babies are a choice. Bring compassion back so we can talk about freedom of choice and a right to life. Murray and Kilmer lack compassion; their slogans are political. Term limit Patty Murray, vote for Tiffany Smiley for U. S. Senate. Defeat Derek Kilmer, elect Elizabeth Kreiselmaier to Congress.

Ardean Anvik, Shelton