The role our federal government is playing in local affairs seems to be increasing. This seems innocuous enough for most of us voters and taxpayers, until our freedom, privacy or property rights are taken from us.

Big Brother is more and more in our lives, even though he’s trying to be inconspicuous. Federal law prohibits the use of federal military in local affairs (except in national emergencies). The use of quasi-military outfits such as ATF agents may not literally violate this law, but it seems to clearly counter its spirit.

When state or local governments fail to follow federal urging, the threat of government intervention is real. This was clearly demonstrated recently in Miami and earlier in Waco, Texas.

The use of physical threats is rare. The use of economic coercion is common. Kitsap County is under the gun from the National Marine Fisheries Service concerning land use decisions ostensibly for protecting salmon habitat. Our county officials have been coerced into accepting stream set-backs unsupported by scientific evidence. This pressure has not come from our elected officials, but from federal government bureaucrats. Norm Dicks needs to look at this.

The federal government needs to stay out of our day-to-day lives. Let our local government do its job. Big Brother is like a bull elephant... more fun to enjoy at a distance.

Mark Williamson
Port Orchard.