Letters to the editor for Aug. 26
Celebrate Women’s Equality Day by voting
Aug. 26 became Women’s Equality Day in 1973. This year let’s take action to finally enshrine the 28th Amendment (Equal Rights) in the U.S. Constitution.
As a young woman in the 1970s, I never dreamed that by the time I became a grandmother my equal rights would still be in jeopardy. Gender equality is included in 168 international constitutions, but not ours. While some believe the 28th Amendment is dead, the required 38 states have ratified it and the House of Representative once again supported it by passing House Joint Resolution 79 in February. Sens. Lindsay Graham and Mitch McConnell have blocked similar efforts in the Senate. While Washington has two fine senators supportive of women’s rights, I encourage you to promote voting in the U.S. for equality leaders at all levels of representation, especially the U.S. Senate.
As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment ensuring women the right to vote, we must continue the fight for voting access and to the close the gender equality gap for the health of our nation and the world. Our votes are needed to increase the number of women of color in position of power as a crucial way to combat the twin evils of systemic racism and gender discrimination. We must enact the 28th Amendment to prohibit federal and state governments from discriminating on the basis of sex, which includes discrimination on account of pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding. Advocate, act, vote for a better future.
Maggie Foran, Olympia
Don’t let the President take your vote
How can people stand idly by when President Trump openly declares war on how our democracy works, by trying to sully the credibility and outcomes of elections before they happen? The president’s tweet suggests an unconstitutional executive action of delaying the election, a usurpation of Congress’ sole right to determine the election date, and a denial of states’ rights to choose their electors. We have held elections in the most trying of times – wars, insurrections, during foreign occupation, and in the depths of financial turmoil.
There is nothing more sacred in democracy than the right of the people to vote. While imperfect at times, it is still the bedrock of our republic. Trump is sowing the seeds of constitutional crisis and lawsuits following the November election if he is not declared the victor.
If we surrender the power of our collective voices to placate a wannabe dictator, we have lost that which formed the foundation of the great American experiment — our collective soul, our right to choose who leads us, our right to determine our destiny as a nation. Stand firm against anyone who would try to take that vote from you. Even the President of the United States.
Marcus Humberg, Lacey
Return your ballots early to beat Trump
Of two pieces of mail sent to me three weeks ago, one is still “in transit,” the other arrived yesterday. In these disrupted times, this is not a problem. But in November, mail delay would be disastrous. If a flood of mailed ballots trickles in slowly during the weeks after the election, this is exactly what Donald Trump needs to claim “voter fraud” and try to void the election.
To be sure that he and his enablers understand on Nov. 4 that he lost by a landslide, please, voters for Biden, mark your ballots and return them by mail or in person the day after you receive them. Republican voters, please understand that if you’ve never voted for a Democrat, it’s OK to do that just this once in your life, to help America clear the White House of someone you must realize is the worst President in our country’s history. After he’s gone, you can go back to voting for real (pre-2016) Republicans, as I sometimes do.
No protest votes for third-party candidates or anyone else, please. There is evidence that that is what got Trump elected in 2016. People who disliked both Trump and Hillary Clinton in several electoral swing states protested Hillary by voting for Trump, whom they thought couldn’t win. Via those protest votes, the electoral college smuggled him into office.
For America’s sake, vote and return your ballots immediately.
David H. Milne, Lacey