The short memories of American voters is what keeps our politicians in office.

American humorist Will Rogers

After many years of doing nothing about one of Washington's deadliest traffic problems, the 2006 Legislature finally got tough on repeat drunk drivers.

Well, kind of tough.

Lawmakers, on unanimous votes in both chambers, finally made it a felony for motorists to accumulate multiple convictions for driving under the influence of intoxicating beverages or any drug, beginning in 2007.

But as is often the case, the devil is in the details. A repeat offender does not become a felon until he or she is receives a fifth DUI conviction in 10 years.

In the meantime, impaired motorists with two or three or four DUI offenses who are still allowed behind the wheel can kill or permanently disable many innocent victims.

These potential victims remain at the mercy of drunk drivers because too many of our legislators continue a long tradition of refusing to get tough once and for all with repeat DUI offenders.

Compare this kid-glove treatment to another legislative crackdown this year, which became the object of public reconsideration last week.

Led by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-South Seattle, and Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, state lawmakers did get tough on Internet gambling.

It is now a felony to gamble in Washington "except where carefully and specifically authorized and regulated," and to "knowingly" transmit or receive gambling information over the Internet or by other telecommunications.

The legislation included no provision to make Internet gambling a felony only on a fifth conviction. Do it just once and you may do hard time.

This imbalance in priorities - among Republicans as well as Democrats - leaves many conservatives shaking their heads.

Money, from tax revenues to campaign contributions, is a primary root of this legislative myopia.

The state, after all, promotes gambling through its own gaming enterprise - lotteries including Lotto, Quinto, etc.

Sen. Prentice, furthermore, benefits from campaign contributions by tribal casino interests, which receive preferential treatment from the state.

After all, what can be wrong with the state trying to lure people into gambling by circulating free coupons for Lotto and "Scratch-and-Play?" Never mind the fact that thousands are addicted to gambling in Washington at an alarming social cost.

And why should the state discourage people from drinking? Liquor is sold exclusively in its own stores, and Olympia also enjoys lucrative tax receipts on sales of beer and wine in grocery stores.

Should adults have the right to consume alcoholic beverages legally? Yes. And allowed to gamble? Of course.

The state, in turn, is obligated to regulate these activities -- not to penalize those who partake and participate, but to protect those who otherwise will become innocent victims.

In both of these instances, however, our legislators have failed to meet their obligation to the public.

Not only is the state "trying to control gambling," Seattle Times' columnist Danny Westneat noted last week. It also is " trying to control people speaking about gambling."

That's especially scary in light of a free-speech case, now before the Washington Supreme Court, which received attention from National Review Online last week.

"Free speech is under assault in the state of Washington," the editors noted.

Last year, KVI talk show hosts Kirby Wilbur and John Carlson were found in violation of campaign finance laws for their on-air support of the unsuccessful attempt to repeal an increase in the state gasoline tax.

Theirs is "a case study in how campaign-finance laws ... can undermine the rights of free speech and association," the editorial said.

Now the court needs to restore the right of free speech to the people.

Ralph Nichols' views are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of Robinson Newspapers. He can be reached at newsdesk@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1857.