Unlike Tim Wheeler in last week’s Gazette (Letters to the Editor, “A prop point clarified,” page A-9), I know Propositions 1 and 2 are not “anti-union” but pro-taxpayer and pro-employee.

Shining the light of day on secret negotiations and giving people a choice to join a union is good for city employees and taxpayers. If any “railroading” or “bullying” is in effect it’s coming from the Sequim City Council and the public employee unions with whom they negotiate.

The most basic expression of citizen involvement is petitioning government by initiative. At least 15 percent of Sequim voters think the initiatives were important enough for them to sign.

Once an initiative has the required number of valid signatures the law is very clear; the city must adopt them directly into law or send them to the ballot to let the voters decide.

Instead, the city council singlehandedly decided the initiatives were invalid, disobeyed the law and did nothing, forcing citizens to file suit and spend money to achieve justice.

By acting irresponsibly, the city council shows they are not a government of the people, by the people and for the people, but instead think we are a people of the government, by the government and for the government.

They are taking taxpayers for a long train ride. Choo-choo-choo-choo and bully for them.

Conservatives don’t advocate for limited government just because it’s the right thing to do; we do it also because it’s the only thing that works in the long run.

Peter Heisel

Sequim