To the editor:

Once again, to the displeasure of many Bainbridge Islanders, Mr. James Olsen is challenging a Democratic incumbent for a House seat in Olympia.

Many on the island view him as a political gadfly, a dangerous extremist or some sort of intolerant bigot. In short, they reveal their own intolerance against anyone who challenges their own sense of noblesse oblige by supporting moderate liberals who provide the goods and services they want from the state as well as supporting seemingly feel good measures confronting the injustices our society faces as long as they need not dirty their hands.

Are these harsh unjust stereotypes against Bainbridge Democrats? Of course they are, but so are the stereotypes placed upon conservatives. I am someone with a slightly deformed physical appearance, lack good social skills, and have no prestigious occupation. In social and interpersonal gatherings I am very aware that I am not viewed as an equal with other men. Mr. Olsen is one of the few men who not only treats me as an equal but respects me and my opinions even when he does not agree with me. When we disagree, he does not put me down verbally or treat me with kind condescension. No, he takes it into consideration and expresses genuine concern for what matters to me.

Mr. Olsen is not running as a Social Darwinist business conservative. Social Darwinism is abhorrent to him, and Catholic social teachings are important to him.

He is running as a reform conservative which means that he sees stagnation and mismanagement in state bureaucracies, public sector employee labor unions seeking their own benefit [rather] than that of the public, idealistic policies that hurt the working poor by creating an economically unfriendly climate, and a state ferry system that needs a dramatic overhaul with bold solutions that may be unpopular because they cut into vested interests. Mr. Olsen’s reform campaign is not idle talk for he managed a major streamlining operation as an officer in the Coast Guard.

In short, if you want a representative who will speak his mind forcefully to those with power and gently to those without, I urge you to support Mr. James Olsen for House Representative for the 23rd Legislative District Position 2.

FRANCIS JACOBSON

Bainbridge Island