League of Women Voters Not Partisan

As the first president of the League of Women Voters of Orange County, I was interested to read of Assemblyman Curt Pringle’s attack on the LWV in the state Assembly. We have come a long way! Twenty-five years ago, when we first worked to start services for abused children and mental health services in the county, we were labeled by the Far Right as Communists!

There is no litmus test for membership in the LWV. I, like many of my league friends, happen to be a registered Republican.

Mr. Pringle opposes the half-cent tax but has offered no plan to assist the county in paying its debts and recovering from bankruptcy. The league, concerned about the welfare of our children and the economic future of the county, after an in-depth study, is supporting Measure R. I recommend an excellent leaflet, available from local leagues. It highlights facts and issues and provides answers to commonly asked questions.

Finally, the league supports issues that membership chooses, studies, discusses and agrees upon. It is not interested in “political rhetoric.”

HARRIET BEMUS

Newport Beach

* As a lifelong Republican and longtime member of the League of Women Voters, I am outraged by the actions of (Assemblyman) Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) and his ilk in the California Assembly in refusing to honor the league on our 75th birthday.

Pringle attacked the league as being liberal and partisan. If you choose to think that giving women the right to vote, protecting children from exploitation at work, protecting our food and drugs and protecting the environment is liberal, then he is right. I can only hope that defaulting on debts is not the conservative agenda. (Pringle is opposed to the Orange County sales tax proposal, which the league supports.)

We are a nonpartisan organization in that we do not endorse or support candidates or political parties. We hold forums and publish election guides giving all candidates a platform. We encourage all citizens to be informed voters. We are political. After extensive study, we do support or oppose issues, and we are proud of this long tradition.

JOSIE McGEE

Fullerton