Never having met any of the candidates for federal, or state office I am not able to judge them on any personal basis. But then, as an election is not or ought not to be a popularity contest, but rather as a judgment on quality and ability and accomplishment. To have any such judgment one can only base one’s thoughts on known activities of the candidates.

Now we are facing an election where at least two major candidates for the U.S. Congress are known but unknown quantities. Mr. Rick Larsen has been in the House for several years, and yet one knows almost nothing about what he has or has not done, other than to vote the whip lines. We are aware that he is in Washington, but we really know almost nothing about his substantive activities, if any.

We are aware the Mr. Larsen has never held a true working job and thus has almost no experience in “real life.” It is time for Mr. Larsen to give up the cushion of a position in Congress, get a job and some useful experience, then he might be considered for another tour in D.C.

For Sen. Murray, we do have some spoor to follow on her years in the Senate. She has also voted the party line and contributed deeply to the huge debt we face. She, too, also ought to leave, or be relieved, so that she can gain some practical experience. Her paid for and supporting TV ads are unpleasant, in some cases untruths and useless demonizing of national activities.

Let us return both these fine people to private life where they can support Pelosi and Reid to their hearts’ content, harmlessly to the rest of us and allow some new faces to try to be useful in D.C.

S.M. Harris

Oak Harbor