1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

Dear Senator Cantwell, I’m writing to express my deep frustration with your continued alignment with conservative interests, despite being elected to represent the Democratic values of Washington State. While you wear the party label, your record of supporting not one, not two, but five of Trump’s nominees—and an alarming number of his policies—makes it difficult to view you as anything but a Democrat in name only. In an era where our civil rights, climate stability, and economic futures hang in the balance, your actions often feel like a betrayal. We deserve leaders who will fight *for* us, not fold under pressure or offer bipartisan cover to regressive agendas. One example of a policy choice that flies in the face of reason and equity is the decision to begin charging for parking at public transit stations, like those serving the light rail. This will actively discourage ridership, especially among working-class people who rely on transit as an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to car dependence. Implementing financial barriers to accessibility is an anti-transit, anti-climate, and anti-worker move—and it demands vocal opposition from every one of our elected officials. I expect you to be one of them. Additionally, Governor Ferguson’s refusal to consider a modest 1% wealth tax on assets over $100 million threatens vital programs like the WA Cares Act and universal school lunches. You have a platform and the power to publicly support such measures—ones that would reduce the need for austerity policies like furloughs, parking fees, and transit cuts. If we taxed the ultra-wealthy instead of burdening the poor and middle class, we could make public transit *free*, not just accessible. You have the opportunity to earn back the trust of the progressive voters who elected you—by advocating loudly for tax justice, environmental protection, and truly public infrastructure. I urge you to stop enabling corporate and conservative interests and instead commit to policies that lift up the majority of Washingtonians.