How appalling does it get? State Rep. Sherry Appleton is co-sponsoring HB2426, which would prevent stores such as Costco from selling liquor, after Costco successfully supported last November’s I-1183 to get the state out of the retail liquor business.

What I find most astounding are her comments in support of the measure. She accuses Costco of “gaming the system,” when the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled government has no business regulating political speech. Costco has quite clearly exercised its rights. And it has done so as a public company, which must answer to its shareholders and to its customers. Apparently neither constituency has been too troubled by Costco’s efforts to get the state of Washington out of the retail liquor business. Costco stock over the past three years has doubled. In the last year, it is up nearly 15 percent.

I agree with The Seattle Times editorial. The voters chose. Give it up. This and other such bills to “send a message” are a total waste of time. And a waste of state treasure.

Finally, what is most egregious is Rep. Appleton’s attitude, like that of an angry mother to her six-year-old son, when she states, “We’re saying this is reality. We want you to think about what you’ve done.” This to one of the most respected companies and best employers in the state of Washington.We need a clean-up in the Poulsbo aisle of the state Legislature.

Ron Carter
Kingston