Rossi or Dr. Schrier?

1. Our esteemed (Republican) King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg stood up to Trump; he joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to help fight the attacks on our democratic institutions and rule of law. Congressman (Republican and former King County sheriff) Dave Reichert refused to support Trump, stating he found Trump’s treatment of women inexcusable. Even Chris Vance, former Washington State Republican Party chair, refused to support Trump, and also joined the ACLU to help protect our civil liberties. What did 8th Congressional District Republican candidate Dino Rossi do? Rossi was not an innocent bystander in 2016 — he voluntarily served as a delegate for Trump. Rossi is no moderate. He only plays one in TV commercials.

Where was 8th Congressional District Democratic candidate Dr. Kim Schrier in 2016? She was taking care of our kids. She fought to protect citizens who had pre-existing medical conditions. Had Rossi been in Congress, he would have taken that protection away.

2. Rossi would impose his religious views on our families. As a Christian, I have strong religious beliefs. I want to preserve my rights and the rights of my daughters to make choices that are guided by our consciences, not Rossi’s. This is called liberty. Liberty is what we do in America.

What does Dr. Kim Schrier believe? She respects me and my daughters and will fight to protect our liberty.

3. Sending Rossi to Congress is sending the fox to guard the hen house. In his book “If You Can Keep It,” Christian author Eric Metaxas argues that America, with its strength, wealth, power and influence, can never be defeated by an enemy outside its borders. The only thing that could destroy America is itself. Hitler and his Nazis were pros at displays of superficial patriotism that included flags, military parades, and “Make Germany Great Again”-style campaigns. Today in the U.S., meaningful acts of patriotism are often ignored. Patriotism is less about standing or kneeling at a ballgame, and more about taking care of our neighbors, respecting the views and differences of others, providing health care and education for our children and protecting our kids from violence. Patriotism also includes the protection of our democratic institutions and values, including an independent judiciary, the rule of law, individual liberties, checks and balances, and above all-the protection of and the exercise of the right to vote.

America is committing suicide when it allows self-interested, narrsistic leaders to focus on hate and fear rather than unity and compassion. America is committing suicide when it allows its leaders to behave as if they are above the law. America is committing suicide when its citizens, whose ancestors died for the right, do not vote. America is committing suicide when its leaders disrespect our democracy by gerrymandering voting districts to meet their own selfish partisan interests. America is committing suicide by electing leaders who are not fit role models for our children.

The only way voters can stop America’s suicide is to vote in November. Vote to send someone to Washington, D.C., who will help protect our democracy, be a good role model for our kids, stand up to dictators, and provide the checks and balances our country needs to survive and thrive. Vote for Dr. Kim Schrier for Congress and help stop America’s bleeding.

Deborah Bellam

Snoqualmie

Commit to a clean planet now

One-hundred million. That’s how many marine animals are killed each year due to plastic pollution. On top of that, 700 marine species may go extinct due to plastic pollution. How would you feel if sea turtles went extinct and you were one of the reasons? We throw away so much plastic that the amount of pollution we have can circle the globe 4,200 times. Is it too late? Can we turn this around and stop polluting?

Fortunately, it isn’t too late. If we prevent polluting now, by starting with North Bend, then people with the correct technology can initiate cleanup, and within the next 10 years, we can clean more than 50 percent of the global plastic pollution that we have accumulated. However, to do this every single person in the world has to commit to a healthy environment. Even if just our town contributes, it can encourage others. Doing things such as recycling correctly, and using reusable bags instead of plastic bags would be just a few brilliant things you can do to contribute to a better world and a better North Bend.

“If you allow the doors to be open during a sandstorm while you’re vacuuming, you won’t get very far,” says Rolf Halden, a professor of environmental health engineering at Arizona State University, according to a recent USA Today article. This was his response when talking about the possible progress in getting the oceans clean by “The Ocean Cleanup Project.” He refers to the fact that even if we clean the oceans of plastic, it will make no difference if we do not stop polluting. The clean up starts when we stop polluting.

Places such as Issaquah are acting on this issue with their “one less bag” law. They officially banned the use of plastic bags and put a 5 cent fee on paper bags while encouraging the use of reusable bags. This action will contribute to cleaning up Issaquah and is an efficient start to stopping the problem at its source. Other cities are also acting on pollution and making similar laws. If North Bend promotes this issue also and joins them in not using plastic, then more of the world will follow and we will finally be able to have a clean world.

Although we are a small city, we are still very important. Think of it as the butterfly effect, If everyone in North Bend contributes to helping this cause then maybe the rest of the world will too.

We can achieve this dream of having a clean home. All we have to do is commit and try our hardest not to pollute. We can be the group of people in history that restores the world to its former glory, it’s a dream, but it’s not impossible. If this generation does not act on this, then I guarantee that one of the future generations will.

Emma Schuerman

North Bend