I loved your recent, detailed piece on Rep. Derek Kilmer. He has met with my group many times, and has joked that polls show that politicians are held in less regard than getting a colonoscopy. But his tireless work for the betterment of all of us shows him to be a shining leader.

Your political cartoon showing politicians kissing up to Big Money is exactly what Rep. Kilmer is working to rectify. Your article states that Kilmer has gotten bi-partisan support for his bill to reform the Federal Elections Commission. Kilmer has also co-sponsored the We the People Amendment (House Joint Resolution 48), which addresses political and electoral corruption.

The disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision five years ago allows enormous corporate spending and billionaires to distort or buy elections. It’s interesting to note that that two U.S. Senators, Wyden (Democrat) and Murkowski (Republican) have stated that since the 2010 Supreme Court Citizens United decision, “decision-making is often colored by the prospect of facing $5 million in anonymous attack ads if a member of Congress crosses an economically powerful interest.”

We, ourselves, can be part of the solution. Here in Kitsap County, over 36 active members of Move to Amend are gathering signatures to get I-735 on the November 2016 ballot in Washington. I-735 proposes a federal constitutional amendment, showing that money is not protected free speech and ending corporate rule. Movetoamend.org gives more information.

Donna Munro,
Bremerton.