Protect critical habitat; save threatened species; pay high ferry fees; expand the urban growth area; expand the sewer district; taxes for school remodel; excuses for high grocery prices; excuses for high gas prices – I can’t help but wonder: when will the middle working class, retired seniors, and the poor become the threatened species on the island and elsewhere?

As homeowners, we already pay taxes for homes valued much less (if we are forced to sell) than what they are appraised at. People all across this nation of ours mistrust anything with “government” attached to it, and for good reason – our very existence seems to be at stake and they are the ones, in my opinion, who are responsible.

We have given and given and what we seem to always get from what we have given is that they always want more. Medicare, social security and any organization created to help those with moderate to low incomes are becoming threatened. I feel it’s past the time to stand up to this assault and tell them we’re not going to take it anymore. But people in this situation are in fight or flight mode, fighting harder every day, and are afraid of losing what they do have to make a stand and hope things will change.

I have lived here for a quarter of a century and like many, I have worked hard and given up much so my wife and I can remain here, but we have no more to give to a government bent on our extinction.

John Cook

Orcas Island