Elected officials are out of touch, vote for Darnell | Letter

This mid-term election is important and voters in the 48th have an important decision to make.

October 20, 2014 9:19 pm
Letters to the editor
Letters to the editor

This mid-term election is important and voters in the 48th have an important decision to make. Will they elect a status quo, corporate attorney to represent their interests because he has a “D” by his name or will they elect a mom of four, who has owned and operated two businesses and who has been advocating for small business owners and homeowners in her capacity as a foreclosure defense paralegal for several years. Will they select a polished politician who’s first response to budget shortfalls is to raise taxes across the board, even after he supported a $8.7 billion tax exemption for Boeing with nearly no strings attached, or will voters support a bold, populist republican who has felt their pain and will work to provide relief to small businesses and families struggling in this “jobless” recovery?

I am Michelle Darnell and I decided to run for state senate because I feel Olympia is out of touch with the average voter in this district and this state. I have seen hundreds of businesses and families destroyed and I don’t agree that the “recession is over” or that “we live in an affluent educated district that doesn’t mind taxes.” I think many of our leaders on both sides of the aisle are out of touch.
I would seek to dismantle the trifecta of “too big to fail” corporations, big labor and big government and represent the interests of the middle class; the people who made this district and state great.
While certainly labor unions, government and corporations serve a valuable purpose, when they are so large and coercive that they become self serving, it is time to restore some balance.
Of course, I too believe education, transportation and preservation of our environment are critically important issues. I have children. But raising taxes on struggling families and businesses will be my “fall-back” position, not my “go-to” position. I think there are ways to be more efficient and get better results. Families and businesses do it every day.
For example, I support replacing the B&O with a fairer corporate tax. I support better prioritization of current revenues and I support reducing unnecessary regulations that disproportionately harm small businesses. Taxes should be fair and low for all and not just those who can afford to influence policy. In that environment, we will see growth in the businesses that employ 42 percent of the work force and wages will rise organically to levels beyond any arbitrary “living wage.” Consequently, families, businesses and communities with will be wealthier and more able to meet their own unique needs.
Families have lost over 40 percent of their net worth since 2007 and Olympia needs to be mindful of that. We need wealth creation before more taxation.
A wealthier society is a healthier, greener, happier and more educated society.
If you agree, I would be honored to be your voice in Olympia. Please vote Michelle Darnell.
Michelle Darnell, Kirkland