YOUR OPINION

As a let’s say older patriot who still gets teared up saying the Pledge to Allegiance to America, and the fact that I am so saddened to see our Democracy shift to dictatorship, I have to take my small stand on things I can control.

In 1950 because of the Korean War, the U.S. Government embargoed and prevented entry of products of North Korea. In 1999 the embargo was lifted and trade resumed as before the war.

As a not avid, but still interested and slightly active my whole life stamp collector, I was dismayed to be offered stamps from North Korea from one of my stamp sources. Now legal to buy, but I could never go there, or buy those, even though our King Trump loves that country!

In a maybe tiny way, we all feel some effect of government every day of our lives.

Roger Castle Newport

They Want a King But “No

Kings” Too

In two recent rallies, folks around the country shouted, “No Kings!” in the streets, presumably protesting what they perceive as authoritarian governance without regard to constitutional law. Then we had off-year elections where New Yorkers voted for communism (Mamdani’s “Free Everything!”) to solve the affordability crisis. However, even some MAGA supporters perceive that President Trump is gaslighting everyone by claiming lower prices while many more remain unaffordable.

Here’s my view: It began with the Clinton era – remember Nafta and that “giant sucking sound” of manufacturing jobs fleeing the country? From then through 2024, our country was divested of manufacturing capabilities, while simultaneously tariff protections for remaining producers were removed. Continuous money- printing, escalated under the Biden administration, drove up inflation, devaluing our dollars while wages remain stagnant.

Trump’s economic policies can work, as have similar policies by past presidents, but he needs a few years to visibly reverse over 30 years of bad policy! Energy prices and other items are coming down, but not fast enough for many people. They demand Trump act like an authoritarian king and force prices down right now! Do these people realize they are essentially begging for communism?

Kamori Cattadoris, Newport

Drive Out Hunger rally

It is apparent from the front page of last week’s Miner that people are hungry.

How unconscionable that the Trump administration has been using food as a weapon against our own citizens. First it was withholding funds from food banks, then it was causing chaos in the SNAP program and throughout this time grocery prices kept going up. A huge number of people lost their jobs via illegal cuts by DOGE as well as firings during the Republican governmental shut down. They join the millions who are having a tough time putting food on the table.

If you are concerned, please consider joining the “Drive Out Hunger” rally at the Big Wheel in Newport on Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. and bring non-perishable food items along with your sign. The Miner has published an excellent list of sources to assist those who are experiencing food insecurity, and this rally will be one more way to help.

Martha Nichols, Newport

The Small Port That Spoke Up

Earlier this year, the Port of Pend Oreille made the trip to Olympia — a reminder that even small counties can carry big ideas when it comes to rural innovation.

The Port brought more than talking points. It brought proof — a century of rail history turned into clean-energy potential — and the blueprint for a 40,000-square-foot rail shop in Usk that could double capacity, cut emissions, and give this county a future built on ingenuity.

Executive Director Kelly Driver and Economic Development Director Jessica Garza didn’t ask for charity; they asked for recognition — that rural innovation counts too.

Their proposed $13.4 million facility could remove 38,000 cars’ worth of emissions and return more than $80 million over 25 years. Yet the most powerful message was simpler: two leaders from Usk standing before state decision-makers saying, “We’re still here, and we’re building forward.”

Rural advocacy isn’t about echoing the city. It’s about proving the future can run on different fuel — and still arrive on time.

Saundra K. Park, Newport

Epstein Files

The Epstein files are back in the mainstream. The Dems are clamoring for their release. They produced an email that Trump and Epstein spent Thanksgiving together in 2017. The problem is, Trump was president in 2017, and everyone knew where he was. These people are idiots! That post was deleted within an hour. They will do anything to attach Trump and Epstein. CNN just admitted there is nothing (defamation lawsuit?).

Think logically. Epstein’s legal troubles began in 2004 (Mar-a Lago). The investigators (Acosta) contacted Trump in 2005. According to Acosta, Trump was the only one to return their call. Trump helped them convict him. There’s more to this story and will probably come out with the files. Epstein received an extremely light sentence.

Back to the files. John Fetterman (D), in an interview the other day said he didn’t know what the fuss was about. He said the D’s sat on the files for four years under Biden. Do people honestly think that if they had something on Trump that they wouldn’t have used it before the last election? They have nothing and anyone that thinks differently has bought into their PsyOp.

Trump is draining the swamp (them).

Glen Pierce, Spokane/Cusick

Baumgartner Doesn’t Want to Answer Questions

Last Friday in his weekly email, Congressman Michael Baumgartner complained, in bold typeface, that having to answer constituent questions was not something he needed to do. It was distracting him from the serious work of voting for bills that raise the cost of health insurance, erect obstacles for veterans seeking their well-deserved healthcare and reduce services from our local hospitals. All while standing idly by watching tariffs hurt small businesses and increase the cost of imported goods. Nonprofits have their funding cut even though he claims to advocate for them. He does nothing but hurt them.

Now with the shutdown coming to an end, he has cast yet another vote that will hurt people throughout his district (budget vote, Nov. 12). Remember this when the cost of your healthcare becomes unaffordable: Baumgartner voted for it. He also voted for the bill (OBBB) that has predictably led to layoffs and potential closure of the Ritzville hospital. (Spokesman-Review, Nov.12) One question remains for Baumgartner: how will he vote on releasing the Epstein files now that that vote is pending? He is on record as favoring the release. We’ll see what his word is worth.

Suzanne Robinson Chewelah

Another Perspective

Last week’s letters to the editor contained a piece by a man upset by criticism of Trump’s ostentatious White House ballroom. Ballroom aside, the letter praised Trump’s tariffs and applauded the tax cuts. Those two issues are intertwined. The tariffs, which are really a national sales tax on us, fund his tax cuts for the wealthy. Both tariffs and tax cuts are at the expense of those less fortunate among us; the tariffs will result in higher prices for Americans and contribute to inflation.

The letter writer also applauds the cuts in government personnel. Like the cuts to the IRS which greatly benefit the tax cheats? Do you see a pattern here?

The writer then refers to Trump as a man who “exudes leadership”. So do Maduro and Putin.

All are bullies who line their own pockets at the expense of those they are charged to govern.

Perhaps the writer will dismiss my points as yet another example of TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome); he uses that term for those he doesn’t agree with. But I think my perspective is more an exercise in critical thinking.

Sandy Nichols, Newport

Thanks for the story on the food distribution

I read Frank Watson’s guest opinion with interest. Yes, thank you for your service but don’t confuse opposing wars of choice with respect for our military. The best way to support our troops is to never send them to presidential vanity wars that can’t be won subjecting them to needless death, injury or PTSD.

Today, it’s now the “War Department” and soldiers are being ordered to murder people in boats on the high seas and might be faced with war crimes in the future. Their career ending alternative is to refuse to follow unlawful orders from a president who believes he has the right to murder anyone using our military. His plan is to have active-duty military kick in the doors of people in cities who didn’t vote for him.

The “This Community Supports Our Troops” signs were initially put up as a political middle finger. Republicans claim support for our troops and falsely claim Democrats as anti-military. Republicans denied care for veterans exposed to Agent Orange and burn pit smoke.

They did the same for 9-11 first responders.

Putting up a sign and doing nothing for veterans lines up with denying food and healthcare for the working poor.

Pete Scobby Newport

Not an isolated incident

In response to the letter published in the Nov.

12 issue, “Trump only works for the top 1%,” I am experiencing difficulty comprehending the rationale behind your conclusion. Elon Musk’s compensation package was a proposal from Tesla a private company and approved by the Tesla stockholders with 75% approval. The acquisition of his stock options is over a 10-year period and contingent upon the attainment of specific performance milestones. To my knowledge, the current president was not involved in the negotiations.

In connection with the current president’s family, numerous elected officials had their family members benefiting from their political involvement. This is not an isolated incident; it is a recurring pattern among elected officials whose families have gained advantages through their political positions. While I could elaborate further, it would be redundant.

As M. Scott Peck, an American Psychiatrist said, “Human beings are poor examiners, subject to superstition, bias, prejudice, and a PROFOUND tendency to see what they want to see rather than what is really there.”

Renee Webster, Newport