Tacoma is considering ranked-choice voting. Have people forgotten Dale Washam? | Opinion

Ranked choice voting

I write in response to the recent article in The News Tribune outlining the potential adoption of ranked choice voting (RCV) in Tacoma. I’m troubled that the TNT failed to mention the real reason why Pierce County reversed course on RCV three years after it was adopted in 2006: because it resulted in the election of Dale Washam as Assessor-Treasurer.

Those pushing Tacoma toward RCV are either so new to town that they are blithely unaware of what happened or simply don’t care because RCV is the new mission for progressive activists. In any event, Tacomans should roundly reject this proposal.

The comments included in the article attributed to state Sens. Yasmin Trudeau and T’wina Nobles — and other city residents — simply highlight the old truism about progressivism: it can never fail; it can only be failed.

A disastrous idea two decades ago is a disastrous idea today.

Greg Taylor, Tacoma

Political coverage

I was disappointed there was little to no coverage of the recent Washington State Republican Party convention held in Spokane. In following other news outlets, I was made aware of the new party platform that frankly I found disturbing, as well as statements from the floor regarding the repeal of the 13th Amendment.

I was aware that there was discourse on whether to endorse a candidate for governor but what was more shocking was the call to no longer allow people to vote for their U.S. senators, which one speaker on the floor referred to as “devolving into a democracy.”

A resolution was also passed urging Republicans “to substitute the words ‘republic’ and ‘republicanism’ where previously they have used the word ‘democracy.’”

I find it hard to believe the average Republican voter in our state believes our senators should be appointed by the state legislature and not the people or that the popular vote is not the way to elect officials. Are those voters aware of the party platform?

I think the public should be made aware of local issues by local media not on national media outlets.

We need the insight and perspective of someone local reporting on important political issues.

Mary Anderson, Tacoma

Wage stagnation

As local constituents, we are deeply concerned about wage stagnation and loss in value of our dollar.

This problem disproportionately affects those with lower incomes. It is big companies who care more about their shareholders than their employees that contribute the most to wage stagnation.

People should not be in fear of living paycheck to paycheck or forced to choose between food and rent. Washington should strive to be an example to the rest of the nation.

We are advocating for a higher national minimum wage along with the removal of tipped wages so people have more money just to keep up with rising costs created by greedy monopolies.

We would also like to see stronger unions via expansive union laws so workers have the ability to address their concerns with their employers.

We both have recently come of age to vote and are excited to be active participants in elections as we shape the future of America.

Wage stagnation is currently our biggest concern when it comes to selecting candidates to vote for.

Colin Long and Mason Taylor-Wells, Tacoma