Democracy starts locally

The Seattle Times editorial, “Keep PCOS off ballot,” on Feb. 8 states, “Political parties are private organizations.” A contrary view is “Political parties should be treated as public organizations.”

Democracy starts locally, as with Precinct Committee Officers. PCOs’ public election by citizens registered by political preference would help make political parties more accountable.

To be registered by party (including “none” or “independent”) does not mean “dunning people for money” as you indicate. It means, “I want the Democratic Party, for instance, to take me into account in its decisions.” Private organizations are less likely to be publicly accountable. The Seattle Times editorial board’s view helps keep politics a private, nontransparent money game probably dominated by the wealthy. Without public elections, only expensive polling surveys can come close to knowing constituents’ views.

Political officials in private parties are more likely to run their parties privately, less in accord with the “ethical leadership in public and private sectors” (as touted in your “mission” statement).

Citizens should be willing to pay the small additional costs to existing ballots to generate such ethics and accountability. We’re chagrined that The Seattle Times editorial board does not support well-structured public elections of PCOs.

— Paul R. Eberts and Helene Moran Eberts, Issaquah