Letters to the editor for Feb. 16
What happened to the balance of powers?
The Republicans staged a coup during the impeachment trial.
Their claims that the President did nothing impeachable is a denial of due process. Republican arguments amount to a very strong President and a very weak Congress. They deny any role at all for Congress by denying witnesses and documents. They claim that the Executive Branch doesn’t have to do anything or honor any congressional requests for information. They say the impeachment power of the House doesn’t exist and call it a hoax. Alan Dershowitz’ ridiculous assertion, “And if a president did something that he believes will help him get elected, in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment.”
Their goal is to establish the theory of the Unitary Executive — that all federal power rests in the President and that Congress has no say so or input. The President may not be held accountable.
This is an absurd theory and a total denial of the U.S. Constitution and they got away with it.
If you are concerned about the direction they are taking, it’s time to speak out and let them know of your disapproval of this absurd theory. They are setting the stage for autocratic rule over all three branches (legislative, executive and judicial). It is a total denial of the balance of powers.
Delayed healing of our homeless epidemic
In Olympia we have a small portion of our population taking up time and money. Many vagrants have no intention to move into housing the city is planning. They choose to live freely, with other people meeting all their needs. We are enabling addicts by following the city’s plan.
With their lifestyles, any money they can panhandle or receive as benefits go to buying drugs.
Of course, this is Olympia, so we have an active group of pro-camp protesters, spending time harassing citizens who speak out against the encampments. Some members of the City Council side with these protesters, letting them decide what is right for our community.
The council has stopped the police from doing their jobs, vagrants steal from stores and now are coming into neighborhoods, stealing from garages and breaking into cars.
Olympia builds tiny houses and plans low-income housing which will take years to finish. In the meantime, thousands purchase extra locks, place cameras and lights. We avoid dangerous trails, have stopped shopping downtown and no longer trust that dinner downtown will end well.
We have to say no. Letting a small group have this much control over the city is ridiculous. It is not loving or kind or liberal in any way to allow this to continue. It is time for our whole community to really find their humanity and close the illegal camps.