Letters to the Editor

I wholeheartedly support the Libraries of Stevens County (LOSC) Levy Lid Lift and encourage you to vote “yes.” Over 20,000 unique patrons used the LOSC in 2025. Free. I don’t have kids or grandkids, but it matters to me that there are free opportunities for every kid- do in my community to have a better chance of success. Librarians help with homework and research. Tutoring leads to kindergarten readiness, improved test scores, and the path to better jobs and economic success. Adults get assistance with literacy programs, job-skills workshops, printer access, online services, job applications, legal help, telehealth, and online learning platforms. Library staff help seniors with digital devices and technology issues. Books, storytelling, gardening, arts and crafts, and STEM are all for free. Libraries are gathering places hosting book clubs, author talks, WSU Master Gardener, and other community workshops. Thousands of people in Stevens County lack reliable and affordable internet. In 2025, 24,000 unique devices connected to free, 24-hour Wi-Fi. Lakeside Library opened on a Sunday during the Spokane Complex fire for computer/Wi-Fi access, masks, charging devices, water, snacks, a distraction for the kids, air conditioning, and a place to connect. Libraries save you real money; Stevens County residents saved over $6 million last year by checking out books, e-books, audible books, movies, or equipment. So many reasons to vote “yes.”

If there was ever any doubt about Rep. Michael Baumgartner’s independence from Donald Trump, he removed it last week by seeking Trump’s endorsement. The endorsement means that a vote for Baumgartner is a vote for a continuation of Trump policies, including the tariff tax on American consumers, inflationary fuel and fertilizer prices resulting from the Iran War, a paramilitary force running roughshod over American civil rights (ICE), wanton violations of the First, Fourth, Fifth, and 14th Amendments to the Constitution, and so much more. Because we have seen Baumgartner in action over the past 20 months, we can predict that he will not object to the Trump family corruptly continuing to accumulate vast wealth at the expense of ordinary citizens. He will watch silently as public land is sold or leased for private profit. He will vote submissively again if told to, and make your healthcare less affordable or even impossible to obtain. He will lie to you regarding the impacts of his votes over the past almost two years. Just like Trump plays his supporters for suckers, Baumgartner mimics that sad behavior, leaving his constituents struggling to afford basic necessities. Baumgartner thus is unequivocally a wholly owned subsidiary of Trump, Inc.

It is bizarre to see so much media about politics as usual at a time when our government is openly conducting murder and theft on a large scale across the globe. Iran, Ukraine, Palestine, Venezuela, Syria, and Iraq; all part of one picture. According to whofundsmyrep.com and trackaipac.com, every Washington state rep has taken money from the Israel lobby, the driving force behind the ruinous aggression in the Middle East. Michael Baumgartner has taken $86,000+, and he’s just getting started. Patty Murray, $500,000 or so. Our corrupt “representatives” have helped global capitalists/financiers transfer Americans’ productivity and wealth to their own accounts in a grand sleight-of-hand, saddling ordinary Americans with $40 trillion in debt while making the U.S. a pariah state. To know what is going on in our world, we need to get local news locally and look to independent media to understand global affairs. We were raised in a sea of propaganda, but light is getting in. The internet has been a mixed blessing, but it provides access to well-traveled journalists, economists, and other insiders who tell us what corporate media won’t. I highly recommend Alex Krainer’s recent article, “We Can’t Vote Our Way Out of This Matrix” at his free Sub- stack. He’s a former hedge fund manager who has seen behind the curtain. He provides this quote, “The issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later is the people versus the bankers.” I once thought “my party” was my team. No more.

Political polls indicate that most Americans are dissatisfied with Donald Trump and with the elected and administrative officials who have supported and enabled his actions. Commentators across the political spectrum predict the probable Republican loss of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate, and many administration opponents are happily anticipating such electoral results this November. We shouldn’t count our chickens before they’re hatched. The accuracy or anticipated electoral outcomes of polls can be affected by several factors, especially the failure of people to vote. It’s a mistake to think that our votes are unnecessary because we believe that the defeat of Trump’s allies is already a done deal. The election of 2016 taught us that a bowl of smug certainty can be followed by a dish of very unpleasant humble pie with a large scoop of deep regret. Wishful thinking gains us nothing; goals are achieved by actions. It is our duty as citizens to restore our decency and honor at home and in the world. This land, our America, is supposed to be a republic ruled by we, the people; our nation is not up for sale to self-interested billionaires and corrupt would-be kings. The Democratic and Independent votes cast in the August primary easily outnumbered Mr. Baumgartner’s; if we all vote again, we can get rid of Trump’s faithful errand-boy. Vote for Carmela Conroy, who holds patriotism above blind allegiance to a party. She will stand with us to reclaim our country.

On Labor Day, Congress member Michael Baumgartner posted the following on Facebook, “Republicans are the party of workers. Democrats are the party of takers.” I believe he forgot about Independents who, along with the Dems, are looking to be “takers” of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate. The polls are encouraging, but we all know they are far from trustworthy. We need to show overwhelming rejection of the job the GOP is currently doing. We must show that we don’t want a handful of billionaires (the real “takers”) setting the agenda for our future. In the past few weeks, we’ve witnessed a trend amongst Republicans in Congress who are speaking out against the war in Iran. They are intentionally distancing themselves from Trump’s frightening threats of wiping Iran off the face of the Earth. Amidst these last-ditch attempts to win back support from their constituents, Trump made an announcement of his own. He endorsed Michael Baumgartner. Uh oh. Mike barely mentioned it. What previously would be considered a badge of honor has now become a possible kiss of death. No, I’m not calling for the beheading, dismembering, or decapitation of our representative like Mike tried to pin on his challenger, Carmela Conroy. I am just asking all eligible voters to vote. Please do it for our future. There is so much at stake if we don’t flip Congress. We can’t afford to sit this election out. Thank you,

Editor, I recently had business to conduct at the Stevens County Auditor’s Office. I had called ahead, explained what I needed to do, and made an appointment to bring in my documents. While I was there, a couple came in hoping to renew their vehicle tabs. They had their paperwork and payment with them, but they did not have an appointment. They were told they could not be helped without one. I understand that offices need procedures and I don’t know all the circumstances surrounding the appointment policy. What struck me, however, was how much time was spent going back and forth between the couple and the employee. There were no other customers waiting, and the couple appeared to have everything they needed to complete what seemed to be a straightforward transaction. Eventually, they left frustrated. The experience made me think about what I want from an elected county official: someone who understands that government exists to serve the people and can follow necessary procedures while also exercising common sense, courtesy, and good judgment. That is one reason I am supporting Eric Simpson for Stevens County auditor. Eric is reliable, approachable, and willing to listen. He understands the importance of living within a budget, getting things done on time, and treating people with respect. I believe he will bring a practical, service-minded approach to the auditor’s office. I believe Eric Simpson will serve the people of Stevens County well.

I obtain life-saving stroke prevention medication from Canada for $1.51 per day versus $10.11 from Walmart. That’s because my Medicare Part D denies coverage for this medication and patent lawsuits have blocked the release of a generic version that was approved in 2020. Now, my Canadian pharmacy has warned me about an upcoming CBP/FDA rule taking effect Oct. 22 which suspends the de minimis exemption for mail shipments. While the ruling does not explicitly ban importing Canadian drugs, it introduces burdensome restrictions that increase package rejection rates. Furthermore, the FDA declares that medications available domestically cannot be imported. This rule fails to recognize that extreme retail costs can make a drug financially inaccessible to people with limited incomes. The drug’s manufacturers, Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer, fund a pharmaceutical lobbying group that contributes to Michael Baumgartner, making advocacy from him unlikely. While I agree with the intent of the ruling that blocking illicit substances at the border is crucial, federal actions like pardoning dark web drug trafficker Ross Ulbricht contradict this focus. And considering the recent animosity expressed towards Canada from the federal government, it remains uncertain if past political promises to protect personal Canadian prescription imports, made by Trump himself, will stand. It is time to vote people into office who will truly represent “we the people” and not their own pockets.

I can’t afford my habits. Thank goodness for the Libraries of Stevens County. The three books I have right now would be more than $60 from Amazon. The slide and film scanner from their Library of Things cost me nothing to digitize decades of memories. I have a list of movies and TV series to watch this winter from the DVD collection and the free Kanopy access. There are also the intangibles. Seeing the littles during story time. Admiring the seasonal changes in the garden. Reading a few of the painted rocks at the edge of the lawn. I’m also grateful for the excellent customer service. I appreciate having my requested materials on the hold shelf so I can grab ‘em, scan ‘em, and be back out the door when time is short. The pleasant and professional staff always offers answers and assistance. Finally, I am grateful on behalf of my community. So many resources are available to all of us. A safe and warm place to wait after school. Access to computers and printers. Technical assistance for those with new or baffling devices. Art and STEM activities. Internet access around the clock, indoors and out. And this does not even scratch the surface. Please vote for the Library’s Levy this November. We all benefit.

In the United States, the top 1% controls 31% of our wealth. The top 10% controls 67% of our wealth. The bottom 50% controls less than 3% of our wealth. Google it. In his second term, President Trump’s personal wealth has ballooned from $2.3 billion to about $7 billion. Ask Siri. Trump’s oldest sons have invested in companies that produce drones for war. They are profiting from the war in Iran. Is that okay with you? Look it up.

I wanted to respond to Jeff McEhinney’s letter to the editor. He echoes the sentiment I feel in regards to our nation’s 250th year anniversary. Like most Americans, I find it hard to shake the feeling these days that our democracy has gone seriously awry. What’s troubling is the gap between the magnitude of our challenges and the smallness of our politics, and the chronic avoidance of tough decisions, and our inability to build a working consensus to tackle any big problem. Our economy is no longer built on life-time employment. Politics today is a business, not a mission. We need to rediscover the traditional virtues of hard work, patriotism, personal responsibility, faith, and optimism.

There are many reasons to vote for Michael Baumgartner. If you like the Trump tax cuts, vote for Baumgartner. If you like higher healthcare and medication costs, reduced funding for rural hospitals, reproductive healthcare for women, food support for children, and the rollback of clean air and water standards, thank Baumgartner and vote for him. Other things you get with Mike include massive funding for ICE abuses, a border wall Mexico won’t pay for, limitless military spending, cash subsidies to the coal industry, and bailouts for big agribusiness. If you like the increased cost of living due to tariffs and the Iran war, then vote for Baumgartner, who will never utter a word contrary to Trump policies. Perhaps it is the use of money intended for the national parks being diverted to build monuments to Trump, or our national forests and BLM land opened to resource extraction and data center construction while being closed to the public, or our unique friendship with Canada destroyed, or providing cover for pedophiles that was your main reason for voting for Baumgartner. And if you really admire how Trump has enriched himself and his wealthy supporters (looking at you, Mike) while you pay $5 per gallon at the pump and are told you should like it, then you know who to vote for. On the other hand, if you want representation in DC more closely aligned with your values and needs, Carmela Conroy is the obvious choice this time. Vote Carmela.

I’m a Democrat, and Lori Larsen is a Republican. But some responsibilities in county government rise above party politics. Administering elections is one of them. I have served as an official election observer in Stevens County. I don’t have to rely on rumors or social media – I saw the process for myself. I watched professional staff follow established procedures with multiple safeguards and layers of account- ability. That experience gave me confidence in the people doing this important work and in Lori Larsen’s leadership as auditor. I also have confidence in my fellow voters. I respect their ability to evaluate the candidates, consider the facts, and make their own decisions. In the August primary, nearly 60% of voters supported Lori. I respect and trust them to carefully weigh their choices again in November. I’ve made my decision. Based on what I have personally observed, I will be voting for Lori Larsen for Stevens County Auditor. I encourage everyone to make a plan to vote. Ballots begin going out Oct. 16. When yours arrives, don’t wait until Nov. 3. Learn about the candidates and issues, make your choices, sign your ballot envelope, and return your ballot well in advance – either by mail (early) or at an official ballot drop box. Whatever your political affiliation, participate. I have confidence in our election process, confidence in my fellow voters, and confidence in Lori Larsen to continue leading the Stevens County Auditor’s Office.