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Muzzall is wrong on progressivism

As he stated last week in his legislative column, Sen Ron Muzzall (R-Oak Harbor) has a problem with progressivism. It appears he does not understand what progressivism is about and attempts to use it as a whipping boy for our state’s (and the nation’s) horrific problem with “behavioral health and substance abuse.”

That reasoning is as flawed as the Republican Party’s suggestion that the Jan. 6 insurrectionist riot was instigated by the left with the cooperation of “the Feds.”

Progressivism is the attempt to level the playing field which is presently geared to reward the wealthy at the cost of the middle class and those further down the economic ladder.

I would suggest to the senator that “behavioral health and substance abuse,” homelessness and related issues are more likely caused by a sense of hopelessness and despair due to an economic situation that is stacked against them. Tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy, the trickle down economic mentality since the Reagan administration and the disempowerment of the unions to represent workers have economically and psychologically harmed the majority of Americans and tarnished the American dream.

Jai Boreen

La Conner