Dear Left: I’ve been involved in politics since I left the military under Jimmy Carter. He’s the one who made me the conservative I am today.

Over the years, I’ve been personally attacked. I’ve been called everything under the sun. I’ve been flipped off, yelled at and threatened. That doesn’t bother me — I was raised with the sticks and stones theory. Today, our young people need safe places because words now break bones. Really?

I’ve lived in this great state most of my life. I’ve watched it change to the point that people are struggling to make a living here on the coast. We have chased away business, and blocked new business from coming this way. About the only new jobs we see pop up is within the service industry. They don’t pay very well so people need to take two, or three job’s just to pay the bills.

Astoria has the highest property tax in this county. A friend of mine pays more property tax on his business in Astoria then he does on his ranch. I know the Left wants to blame the big bad business people, but who else brings jobs to the area?

We need to take a look at the root of the problem. The Left has taken full control of this county. Now ask yourself this: Have they done a good job for all the people, or just a few? The only way to make this county great again is to take away the power from the ones who are hurting all of us.

I ask you to help me, and help turn the political landscape of this county around. Remember what President Kennedy said? “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Jim Hoffman

Chairman, Clatsop County Republican Party

Gearhart