In with consensus, out with ideology | Letters | Sept. 3

Published 5:09 pm Thursday, September 9, 2010

I can agree with the part of Francis Jacobson’s letter (“Olsen’s principles are remindful of Goldwater,” Aug. 27) [where] Rep. Christine Rolfes is a moderate and her opponent is both blunt and “politically incorrect,” but then, only if “incorrect” means to be an ideologue that is blatantly discriminatory toward our Japanese-American citizens and complains about everything else.

I learned long ago that it’s fine to vigorously argue your ideology, but when it comes decision time, it’s time for action. Unfortunately that often means compromise. Otherwise, you end in deadlock and get nothing done – witness our dysfunctional U.S. Congress, with one party saying “no” to every idea but offering no solutions.

Our Congress seems to have forgotten that progress requires they represent, not just their ideology but that of all their constituents. We don’t need ideologues, complainers and more bigotry, but rather, leaders with the ability to find consensus to represent all of us.

At last count Rep. Rolfes’s opponent garnered less than 21 percent of the votes by people that know him best (his own precinct). Is this someone we want to represent us? I think not!

I also learned (the hard way) Rep. Rolfes is not a “yes” person, but one who gathers the facts and then can gently but emphatically say “no,” explaining how she arrived at that decision and somehow, at the same time, almost make me feel good hearing it. Her “pleasant and charming” attributes are tangible assets in reaching consensus among conflicting ideas.

No doubt she will win in November but she needs your vote in excess of the current plus-56 percent to send an even stronger message: intolerance and bigotry cannot win in Kitsap County.

Bob L. Burkholder

Bainbridge Island