Here’s something to consider. Washington state residents have twice as much debt per person as residents of any other state. Yes, even California!

Washington State’s problems have been years in the making and working out of it will not be easy, quick or painless. Huge unfunded liabilities in terms of pensions and health care currently exist. Along with the employee contribution, the state is “supposed” to pay into the retirement systems every year; but in tough years it has failed to meet its pension obligations. Now there is a deficit in what is actually there for retirees. If any business or corporation had done that to a retirement account, the managers would be behind bars.

So here we are, heavily in debt, worse than that of California, and the Legislature and governor want to raise taxes $857 million higher! They also plan to spend more giving raises to state employees, while they propose plans to cut education, and close prisons. There is a reality disconnect in the majority party in this Legislature and they refuse to do the difficult job they were elected to do: prioritize and manage our state income responsibly during difficult economic times.

It is time to end this fiscal madness and send the reality-challenged, tax-and-spend Democrat group home for good. We the people need to remember this in November.

Nancy Thompson

Clinton