Letters to the Editor, Jan. 18, 2019

HR-1

HR-1 Demonstration

My first demonstration would have been in the 1960s for civil rights or against the Vietnam War, but never have I demonstrated with a more joyful group than last week at Issaquah City Hall. Braving rain and wind, hardy patriots demonstrated and celebrated our new congresswoman, Dr. Kim Schrier, and HR-1.

Everyone was hugging everyone. People expressed hope about saving our democracy. Signs read, “The Dr. is in the House,” “Whose House? Our House,” “HR-1 Fights Corruption,” “HR-1 Protects Voting Rights,” and “HR-1 Fights Dark Money.”

These lovers of democracy, aged from 30 to their 80s, represented a cross section of our community. There were several teachers, attorneys, leaders in technology, the medical profession, a spiritual counselor, a retired probation officer, and more. With no absolute ideology, these patriots share a commitment to equality, fairness and democracy.

HR-1, also known as the For the People Act, is a Democratic bill, which just passed the House, that reforms and restores our democracy. It has provisions addressing voting, money in politics and corruption. It requires presidential candidates to release their taxes, protects voting rights, ends gerrymandering, and reforms campaign finance.

Representative Schrier made me proud by co-sponsoring HR-1.

Roger Ledbetter

Snoqualmie