Defend the Homeland!

This election is the most important in 30 years. Do we exaggerate? Consider the following: President George W. Bush is fighting a foreign war that is not only bloody but is making the world more dangerous and politically unstable; Bush's domestic agenda is on its way to destroying the last remains of our social safety net—watch out, Medicare and Social Security—while creating more poverty and inequality, and his economic policies are piling up deficits that will make it more difficult to address our country's problems long into the future. President Richard Nixon was more vindictive and shrewd than Dubya and was waging a war with more U.S. casualties that worsened the Cold War, but he at least faced nominal opposition from a Democratic Congress and even had a few good ideas in terms of domestic policy. President Ronald Reagan enjoyed greater public support for his dismantling of human services funding, his military buildup, and his tax cuts, but he only fought nasty proxy wars in Central America rather than a full foreign invasion by the U.S. in the Middle East. The Bush agenda also poses a direct threat in Washington state, where his acolytes want to strengthen his hand. George Nethercutt wants to give Bush a filibuster- proof majority in the U.S. Senate, and Dino Rossi wants to take the Bush domestic agenda into the Washington governor's mansion.

Voting, especially during wartime, is a defensive act, so strap on your helmet and head to the polls. Once you are there, you will find good Democrats like gubernatorial candidate Christine Gregoire and good Republicans like Secretary of State Sam Reed, as well as important policy decisions like stopping the spread of gambling, nuclear waste, and bad monorails that will make you glad you were scared enough to cast your ballot.

FEDERAL OFFICES

PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT

With a heady combination of illegitimacy, irresponsibility, and hubris, the presidency of George W. Bush ranks as the worst of modern times. His administration offers none of the benefits of conservatism, liberalism, or moderation. Indeed, he has crafted a regime based on fear, profligacy, and lies. His foreign policy is jeopardizing our security and draining the treasury; his deficit spending is bankrupting our future. He and his shadow—Vice President Dick Cheney—seem incapable of telling the truth or, indeed, ever caring to know the truth. The accusations the Republican incumbents make against their Democratic opponents, John Kerry and John Edwards, are an almost laughable case of what psychologists describe as projection. Lying, flip-flopping, and cowardice are Bush hallmarks, not Kerry ones. Indeed, in this election, voters have an option better than picking between the lesser of two evils. While a Kerry presidency would surely be imperfect—and certainly unenviable for having to deal with the realities of terrorism, the Bush budget mess, and the quagmire in Iraq—it would return the presidency to a wiser, steadier, battle-tested man who could lead America back to its true self. Also on the ballot for president in Washington are Michael Badnarik, Libertarian Party; John Parker, Workers World Party; David Cobb, Green Party; James Harris, Socialist Workers Party; Michael Peroutka, Constitution Party; Bill Van Anken, Socialist Equality Party; and independent megalomaniac Ralph Nader, any of whom would also be better than Bush. But vote for Kerry.

U.S. SENATOR

Democratic incumbent Patty Murray looks better with each passing day. As the body count rises, the chaos increases, and the threat of terrorism escalates, the decision to go to war in Iraq looks worse and worse. Murray showed real political courage and tremendous strategic judgment when she voted against Bush's war resolution on Iraq. In addition, Murray is a consistent, energetic advocate for Washington state in the Senate. Her work will be vital as we move into the next phase of funding for the replacement of Puget Sound's fragile transportation infrastructure, like the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Her Republican opponent, Spokane's U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt, has been a terrible disappointment. After failing to establish any compelling reason for his own campaign, the term-limited promise breaker started running ads linking Murray to Osama bin Laden that are an example of political campaigning at its sleaziest. The Green Party's Mark Wilson and Libertarian J. Mills are also in the race.

U.S REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 1 (NORTH KING, SOUTH SNOHOMISH COUNTies)

Jay Inslee, the incumbent Democrat, faces only nominal opposition in this race, because he is doing a terrific job promoting ideas like the Apollo project that would promote energy independence and create jobs by supporting alternative technology. Republican Randy Eastwood and Libertarian Charles Moore are the other, lesser candidates.

U.S REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 7 (SEATTLE)

Liberal cities like Seattle need political representatives like Jim McDermott who do great, risky stuff like go to Baghdad and denounce the president's rush to war. Let American conservatives hate him—we look forward to voting him into office for another two years. Carol Cassady, who is running her second disappearing act for this position, is the GOP's nominee.

U.S REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 8 (EAST KING, EAST PIERCE COUNTies)