We can do better

Now that redistricting is done, many of us will be voting in the 8^th congressional district for the first time. The Seattle Times’ endorsement of Dave Reichert for re-election to the U.S. Congress 8^th District is ill advised [“Re-elect Dave Reichert in the 8^th district,” Opinion, July 12].

What has he done to deserve that support? He supported the unfunded wars — causing this country to slip further into debt. He supported the senior citizens’ prescription-drug bill, which includes a big doughnut hole, is underfunded and prohibits seniors from getting their drugs at a competitive Internet market price; ever heard of Canada, where the government negotiates with the pharmaceutical firms to get volume discounts? He supports a tax cut for the very rich, which is then subsidized by the rest of us as we make up the loss in revenue.

He voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act 33 times, while more than 805,000 Washington state citizens are uninsured. And he doesn’t recognize that “ObamaCare” will be a stimulus for the medical professions and colleges. A real job creator!

He supported a party that has not put together a program to help the agricultural community, especially the orchardists who need to have seasonal workers and are experiencing a shortage again this season. He didn’t pressure his party to act when the transportation bill should have been approved in time for the construction season. The transportation bill would have been an infrastructure bill and a jobs bill.

We can do better! Vote for someone who wants to support our needs!

— Bill Miller, Leavenworth

A lukewarm endorsement

I was disappointed in The Times’ endorsement of Dave Reichert, however lukewarm it was. Reichert pledged his allegiance to lobbyist Grover Norquist, thereby removing compromise from his agenda, and then became an undistinguished member of the chorus of “nays.”

Surely we deserve better.

— Doris Vinnedge, North Bend