To call your comments and arguments in your recent editorial entitled “Dino Rossi in Stimulus Land,” specious would be elevating them to a level of logical thinking that they do not deserve. Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is not part of a “stimulus” program. It is national defense and is supported by the national defense segment of the national budget. National defense was established and was defined and framed in our Constitution by our Founders. I am sure that you really don’t need to be reminded that national defense is perhaps the most significant and one of the few actual responsibilities of our national government, unlike wasteful million dollar sidewalks to nowhere temporary work “stimulus” projects on Ault Field Road. Further, although military installations are certainly a significant economic factor in every community in which they exist, national defense is not “pork” and is not “stimulus,” and unlike “pork” and “stimulus” is required by our Constitution.

However, you are in fact right on the “money” when you state that “Murray, of course, is willing to spend more for anything … ” whether or not it creates jobs! Her record is clear on that issue. She has been in Congress for 18 years and is currently the fourth ranking Democrat in the Senate, yet even her colleagues give her no real significant responsibility (other than standing behind and holding Harry Reid’s coattails so they won’t get soiled) and she holds and maintains no significant power in that body. Her 18-year Senate record is singularly undistinguished. Patty Murray is and has been part of the problem not part of the solution.

The citizens of Island County will simply need to decide whether a fiscal conservative or a free spending liberal is who they want to represent them in the Senate. And while pondering that decision they will also need to remember just whose money the federal government is spending! And who is most likely to treat our money responsibly moving forward.

Dave Harrington

Oak Harbor