An uncommon opportunity is before us in the candidacy of Mr. Larry Kalb, a Democratic running for election to Washington’s Second Congressional District.

Mr. Kalb’s election will replace the current representative, Mr. Rick Larsen. I support the election of Mr. Kalb and urge your readers to examine his positions on the urgent decisions that confront this Nation.

I have followed closely Mr. Kalb’s campaign on his website (www.kalbforcongress.com), and by attendance at several public meetings where he was questioned by me and others, both broadly and deeply, regarding his political views. Mr. Kalb is first a lower-case democrat, a man who believes in government by the people and the principles of equality of rights, opportunity, and treatment. He is also an upper-case Democrat, a member of the Democratic Party.

Mr. Kalb’s experiences and credentials are impressive. He understands and is comfortable with different cultures through his 11 years with positions in educational institutions in Europe as an instructor and director of administration. Currently he works in the finance department of the Whatcom Transportation Authority.

Mr. Kalb is a long-term advocate for single-payer health insurance. He has been a board member of Health Care for All – Washington for the past six years and served as its president since 2008. Within the Democratic Party, Mr. Kalb served as chairman of the Washington State Progressive Caucus from 2005-07 and was elected as a national delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2000 and 2004 for Bill Bradley and Dennis Kucinich, respectively.

Mr. Kalb’s states his positions with candor. “Climate change is the most serious challenge facing humanity.” “I will oppose any unfair ‘free-trade’ deals that ship our jobs overseas!” “Our spending priorities are warped … We need to fund jobs at home, not occupations abroad.” “The occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan are wrong and must end now.” “I don’t believe that this is a ‘just’ war — it is just war.” “Terrorism must be treated as an international criminal matter, not as war.”

I recommend a visit to Mr. Kalb’s website (www.kalbforcongress.com) to learn in more detail the uncommon opportunity that Mr. Kalb offers the voters in the Second Congressional District.

Roger deRoos
Friday Harbor