Three candidates for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District spoke to a gathering of interested Democrats and independents in Coupeville last Thursday night, Jan. 28.

One of many reasons Larry Kalb and Diana McGinness are vying to replace the incumbent, Rick Larsen, became apparent when candidate McGinness asked why Mr. Larsen does not support H.R. 1826 (the Fair Elections Now Act), which now has 128 co-sponsors and mirrors the intent of the Washington State Democratic Platform.

Mr. Larsen’s response was that he didn’t want to divert government funds from schools and other necessary things.

Using only $10 from each taxpayer’s annual income tax obligation, H.R. 1826 would establish a fund for candidates who choose to forego private campaign funding. This is a pittance compared to the huge financial burden carried by citizens due to unnecessary wars, high-priced health insurance, usurious mortgages and credit, and energy-wasting vehicles and homes as they watch their jobs migrate overseas. Given the Supreme Court’s decision to open the floodgates to multinational corporate campaign financing, $10 looks like a pretty good investment to wean our elected representatives from the bulging corporate udder.

Candidates who support peaceful conflict resolution, public campaign financing, affordable universal health care, and renewable clean energy offer attractive alternatives to entrenched incumbents who vote all too often for Wall Street instead of Main Street.

Jim Bruner

Oak Harbor