Lowest prices? Really?

Thanks for the Oct. 19 op-ed page article on Wal-Mart by a professor from Boston University. It concluded that “Wal-Mart prices were actually higher than average for the region on one-third of its stock” and that on items with lower prices “the average savings was 37 cents, with about one-third of goods carrying a savings of no more than 2 cents.”

I was checking for a Samsung TV the other day and found the Wal-Mart price to be $329. That was some $30 higher than the local Sears ($299.99), as well as Amazon ($296). That $30 goes a long ways to neutralize the 37-cent and 2-cent savings on many articles, making their prices uncompetitive!

So much for “lowest prices — always.”

Joe Fuchs

Concrete

Why you should reject R-71

It amazes me how some people try and rewrite our history as put forth by our Founding Fathers and the U.S. Constitution they put together. The separation of church and state was for the purpose of protecting the church from the state, not vice versa.

There is a reason the domestic partner amendment failed in 2009. The people of this state and, hopefully, all across this nation, are waking up to what the gay movement is and has been trying to do. The family unit is, and has been, the foundation of the American way of life. I have never read or heard of where our Founding Fathers intended marriage to be between members of the same sex.

Let me make one thing perfectly clear: I do not hate or wish ill of anyone who is gay. I firmly believe the gay lifestyle is wrong. It is wrong in the eyes of God and those of our Founding Fathers. Nowhere do I see God or our Founding Fathers asking the rest of the nation to accept as moral that which both have already said it is not!

Marriage is defined in the Bible as well as by our Founding Fathers as being between one man and one woman. No one has the right to change that. The benefits of marriage are linked to that marriage. If you want the benefits, then get legally married with all of its responsibilities, including the moral ones that God and our Founding Fathers intended them to be. God will either have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah or judge our nation the way he did them if the current gay movement has its way.

Jim Kelley

Concrete

Heterosexual agenda and R-71

As I read letters written by those opposing Referendum 71 and their efforts to erase equal protections extended to members of domestic partnerships under a law passed by the last Legislature, I become more and more confused and concerned about the heterosexual agenda.

Opponents of R-71 scurried to sign petitions to put the measure on the ballot, but later recoiled at having themselves identified under our state’s public information statute. They plead a right to secrecy, apparently out of concern that someone might harass them in ways countless generations have harassed and denied rights to our gay and lesbian citizens.

Now, those fomenting defeat of R-71 are suing to challenge statutes that place a limit on the amount that individuals and groups can donate toward their cause. These good folk seek to deny rights to some while arguing special rights for themselves on the other.

Perhaps you can understand my confusion. Let’s just approve R-71 so the statute enacted by our duly elected Legislature can go into effect. To do other than this would be to support the agenda of those who continue to believe that everyone should be just like them. Now, I find that very scary!

Densley H. Palmer

Anacortes

An absolute moral failing

We are the only industrialized country in the world that does not provide single-payer health insurance for every single citizen. When I told a surprised Medicare recipient at a demonstration against Glenn Beck, she, being for Beck and against single-payer, said, “That’s what makes us special!”

Special? Special in our absolute moral failing as a country that allows 45,000 people to die annually because of no access to health care. Children die each year. I’m willing to bet she was pro-life, too.

A very sad state of affairs, I must say, that the Republican dream of the last 28 years has brought our great country to its knees.

Kate Bowers

Bow

‘Comrade’ Obama

Remember when Obama accepted Hugo Chavez’s socialist book? Well, apparently he’s decided to follow the dictator’s philosophy: stifle the press and shut down any news organization that refuses to regurgitate White House propaganda.

Last week it backfired. I never thought I’d say this but “hats off” to ABC, CBS and NBC.

When Obama refused to let Fox News interview one of his many czars, the other networks yelled “foul” and refused to do that interview if Fox News was denied access. Bravo! There is finally some hope for this nation.

All Americans should be aware that this is a very dangerous administration. Besides trying to destroy Fox News, it has threatened the insurance industry and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to name just a few. Every week there’s yet another attempt to side-step the Constitution, all in an effort for political gain and total control over every aspect of our lives.

Yes, this revolt by the networks is encouraging, but we must be constantly vigilant. Look for further assaults on our constitutional rights. Any wonder dictator Chavez referred to Obama as “comrade”?

Maureen Schwab

Lyman

Brevoort will look out for us

I’ve known Doris Brevoort for a number of years. I actively supported her in her bid for mayor, in which, as a first-time, write-in candidate, she took about one-third of the votes cast. One reality I think that represents is that there are a significant number of people who feel disenfranchised by the current trend in government toward seeing big business as the primary, if not the only, constituents that matter.

Communities should be by the people, for the people. Electing Doris Brevoort will help Mount Vernon take a step in that direction.

The years I’ve known Doris, she has worked out of town, but has always regarded Mount Vernon as home. She is active in the Mount Vernon community and has been all the years I’ve known her.

Doris is an educated, practical person who will keep the best interests of the average citizen in mind while voting on decisions that affect us all.

Kenneth Dunning

Mount Vernon

Quam will represent us

I would like to take a moment and recommend Ken Quam for Ward 1 City Council representative.

Mr. Quam is a born-and-raised local man who owns his own business and is a supporter of controlled growth. Ken Quam is the voice we need in Ward 1. His opponent has been in office far too long to be effective to those she supposedly represents. I personally tried to contact her regarding a public safety issue on South Third Street and she ignored our need for her help.

Mr. Quam is a believer in true American government — by the people and for the people — and will represent us the way we want him to. This means he will go against his own desires in order to properly serve his constituents. Imagine! To have an official actually do what the people who elected him want him to do!

Mr. Quam is by far the better of the two candidates to represent us in Ward 1 and I ask all of the voters to please consider voting for Ken Quam. A real change is needed — the status quo, good-old-boy form of government just doesn’t work. We need a responsible council that is willing to stop businesses from taking over our residential neighborhoods, preserve our quality of life and be fiscally responsible.

Vote for Ken Quam and let’s get back to basics!

Stephanie Pickering

Mount Vernon

Molenaar has character, resolve

In America it is our privilege to vote and our duty to elect people who will represent us effectively. For that to occur, we must elect dedicated people who are committed to listening to all sides of the issues before making educated decisions based on what is best for our community as a whole, rather than advancing any one interest. It takes both character and resolve to be that kind of elected representative.

I am confident that Gary Molenaar possesses the character, resolve and integrity needed to serve as an effective City Council member. In the 20 years I’ve known Gary, I have consistently been impressed with his genuine interest in people and the things they care about. His approach to controversial issues is to listen and learn before forming an opinion, rather than entering a conversation with prejudice. The respect he shows all sides of any particular issue is rare and universally appreciated.

In any community, there are those members who are well known because they are heavily involved on many different levels. A lifelong Mount Vernon resident, Gary Molenaar is that kind of community member. Gary has a vision for what can make Mount Vernon even better. He loves Mount Vernon and I believe, if elected, he will serve it with great distinction. That is why I encourage you to vote for Gary Molenaar for Mount Vernon City Council.

Nancy Kingshott

Mount Vernon

Michael Jackson was no hero

I just saw the article dated Oct. 25 in which grade-school children, led by adults, chose to memorialize Michael Jackson and his album “Thriller.”

Am I the only adult left who totally understands what Michael Jackson was all about?

The lesson that adults need to send to children concerning Michael Jackson is that sometimes our justice system fails. People need to stop trying to make Jackson a hero and ask themselves one question: Would you have allowed your children to stay overnight in his home with him in the home also?

The answer pretty much speaks for itself.

Tom Beam

Burlington

Return Maxwell to mayor’s office

It’s time to vote again for the mayor of our fair city, Anacortes.

The major criteria, I believe, are: someone who has a proven track record that we all know; is dedicated to and loves this city; has grown up here and respects what this city and its citizens stand for; and who desires to protect the natural character that we all love.

The candidate who carries and cherishes these characteristics is Dean Maxwell. He has worked hard for us. Now, let’s work hard for him.

Please re-elect Dean Maxwell mayor of Anacortes.

Jim Ford

Anacortes