Rep. Shay Schual-Berke, M.D.'s letter in your December 12, 2007, edition of the Times/News amused me.

After methodically destroying I-601 (an initiative from the people codified in law) in concert with other Democrat legislators, Schual-Berke got religion and voted to reinstate I-747, an initiative from the people to restore the provisions of I-601.

Further, Schual-Berke states she voted for I-747 even though it went against her personal preference and by extension against the will of the people. If the Democrats hadn't destroyed I-601 in the first place then I-747 wouldn't have been necessary.

Schual-Berke asserts she called for progressive tax reform in 2008. I have news. We already have a progressive tax system. Taxes are "progressively" higher year after year despite economic conditions or our ability as taxpayers to pay. I-601 and I-747 are designed to slow down that progressivity.

Moreover, progressive tax reform in the Democrat lexicon is a euphemism meaning an income tax levied on the citizenry. I can't imagine opening that can of worms, especially after watching the last session of the Legislature in a run amuck spending frenzy.

The sales tax is a progressive tax. The more one purchases things, the more tax they pay.

The conundrum is why voters vote for people who must then be held in check by citizen initiative to undo the damage done. It is more efficient and less costly to vote into office people who faithfully represent us in the first place.

Paul Willoughby

Tukwila