By Thomas Strang

I find myself compelled to respond to two previously published Sound Off columns, one published July 4 and the other July 18.

Beginning with the July 4 column, the writer was lamenting the lack of Don Quixotes in government service. Pardon me, but how about our Republican, Tea Party Third District County Commissioner Don Quixote? How well has this Don Quixote served us in Island County?

As for state and federal governments, for Pete’s sake, if it were not for the numerous Don Quixotes running loose like a herd of cats, our state Legislature and Congress might pass as functioning legislative bodies. Just maybe the Don Quixote behavior is the problem rather than the solution.

With regards to the July 18 column, I sense an alarming lack of trust in our political system of electing our public servants. The letter writer suggests that our elected public servants and those running for public office are less intelligent today than in years past. Are they really? The letter writer continues on to suggest that we need people in public office that address our public problems in a realistic manner. How should someone in public office address problems realistically? Just how does one define what is realistic, or is reality one’s individual perception of reality? If that is true, then whose perception of reality should determine the direction of this great nation? “Catch 22” situation here on the order of what came first, the chicken or the egg?

I have been reminded many times, be careful of what you ask for! I offer the following examples of possible realistic solutions to so-called public difficulties that require attention or solutions that some folks might consider realistic while others may not.

• Public safety — buy a big gun.

• Traffic safety — buy a big truck.

• Lower the price of gasoline — buy about 3 feet of half-inch hose and learn not to swallow.

• Lower taxes — don’t buy unnecessary stuff.

• Improve public education — replace the electronic gadgets with a pencil and open a book while wearing a school uniform.

• Improve medical care — find a 7-year-old playing doctor, but make sure he or she doesn’t have a lemonade stand as a side business.

Putting humor aside for a moment, if we believe in chasing windmills or that our elected public servant are less than intelligent, please consider the fact that the majority of folks that make the effort to vote place our public servants in office. To paraphrase the astute philosopher Pogo, I see the problem and the problem is I.

This is a republic of the people, by the people and for the people which suggests solving our nation’s difficulties rests with us, its people, not waiting for some mystical leader to show up and save us from ourselves. If we the people who vote with the majority are the problem, suggests that we should be the solution.

In November we have another chance, then again some folks would say a last chance to get it right or at least get our ships of state headed in a corrected direction. My last question is, will we?

Thomas F. Strang lives in Coupeville