Seattle Times is abusing its power and influence regarding future mass transit in the region. All the negative editorials, headlines and articles regarding the U–Link grand opening party is worse than Sound Transit’s effort to increase visibility by spending a mere $850,000.

I say “mere” because we spend billions on mass transit projects across the county.

I say “we” because anyone paying federal income tax is paying for projects in New York, such as a $12 billion project that links Grand Central to Queens and another $7 billion project to build tunnels and stations from 95th to 63rd. There are many more projects like this in New York as well as elsewhere and generally half of the money for those projects comes from our federal government, our taxes.

I am appalled that Seattle Times is using its power to influence the region to shutdown mass transit. This will have a negative impact on our region for many decades, as did the shortsighted decision 40 years ago to not build mass transit then when the federal government was going to pay 90 percent of the cost.

Sue Amorosi, Kirkland