I guess I am a little confused with all the negative comments about the candidates and no concrete information about what we can expect from each and every one. I have asked some questions of Patti Murray only to find that her email log is always full.

One of my primary questions is why does the payroll deduction for Social Security stop at $106,000. This makes the middle income taxpayer the primary support for this program since their income seldom exceeds this limit. Social Security would become self sufficient if the payroll deduction ceiling was eliminated and everyone paid on their entire W-2 income. Nobody wants to address this question!

My second question is to Mr. Mattens, the assessor. While most of our land values have doubled or more since 1998, Mr. Mattens’ land value has only increased 4 percent in all those years. Maybe he could explain this for the benefit of those of us who do not understand his benefit.

Dick Johnson

Coupeville