— from Michael Karp —
Rick Larsen’s corporate campaign contributions from Navy Growler stakeholders pose a severe conflict in representing his constituents’ interests when it comes to addressing the impacts of Growlers on our well-being, our declining population of orcas, declining property values from noise impacts, and poisoning of water on Whidbey Island and the Salish Sea. (See Quietskies.info for more info on the Growler related issues.)
Air transport, defense aerospace and oil&gas are among the top five industries that contributed to Larsen’s campaign according to ballopedia.org. Additionally, OpenSecrets.org reveals that weapon and aerospace manufacturers such as Boeing, Honeywell, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman top his list of principal contributors.
Larsen has put out a PR piece about how he met on Lopez Island with some concerned citizens and he is “working to find solutions.” How fast and effectively do you think he will be doing that given the source of his contributions? I have no confidence in his ability and interest in successfully addressing this issue on our behalf. I believe it is time for a new Congressional representative from our District and urge you all to do due diligence and use your voting power to demand a change to a candidate with stronger campaign finance integrity and uncompromised ability to serve the constituents.
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Thank you for your commentary Michael Karp.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Last year some friends and I hiked around Deception Pass S.P. The Growlers were flying that day. The noise was absolutely horrendous. I could not imagine living in the neighborhood. I live near the ferry landing on Orcas and can hear them too.
Let’s get it clear: I will never vote Republican! Rick Larsen might be our home-grown liberal Democrat but I fear that he too is beholding to the money and not the people. He might not get my vote next time around. We’ll have to see.
Here’s a link to a wonderful indie film that makes the point about growler noise over the Olympic Peninsula — “Hear Our Olympics.”
https://www.sprucetonefilms.com/hear-our-olympics/
Thanks, Steven and Donna, but I harken back to Dwight Eisenhower, who warned of the “military-industrial complex,” perceived as a 1950’s-style threat to the nation.
And now, half-a-century later, I think it’s morphed into a “military-industrial-political” complex, where lobbyists and their lap-dog politicians just perpetuate the blah-blah scenario.
Sems to me that the only way to break the grip is DRIP (Don’t Return Incumbent Politicians). Yeah, I’m pushing the rock uphill, but really, Rick, Patty, Maria, I’ve lost patience, even if the rest of my State continues to coronate. I’ll just sigh, and write letters to the editor.