Politics: Don't force party voting

I am confused. I see initiatives brought forth by organizations ratified by the people, accepted by the government as valid initiatives to be put to the vote, placed on a legal ballot to be voted by the people and voted for by the majority of the voters, only to be struck down as “unconstitutional” for a technicality.

How could any initiative originated by the people, placed on the ballot and voted for by the majority be unconstitutional? Isn’t that the very basis of our right to representation? Why was it not unconstitutional until the people voted it in, and not in reverse?

Now they are trying to take away our right of choice to vote on representation in the government by limiting the primary vote to the good old party line. I, for one, vote for the candidates who I feel will do the best job in office, regardless of their party affiliation. Party line government is the same thing as communism, one political party in power with no opposition votes possible. That is not the way it is supposed to be in this country!

Governor Locke, if I am forced to vote party line as you propose, you can be assured I will not vote Democratic this election, although there are some fine Democrats I would have supported. There are some issues about the present government I do not approve of, but I will not vote for your type of government, and your presidential hopeful scares me. He calls President Bush a “liar” but his record speaks no better for him. As far as “war hero” is concerned, I spent six combat tours in Vietnam versus his few days. Tell me he is a war hero — I guess you have suddenly forced me to become a Republican. I do not appreciate that!

William F. Simon

Oak Harbor

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