It was interesting to read the column by Federal Way City Councilman Jim Ferrell in The Mirror (April 20). He gave us the news that he is switching from the Republican Party to the Democrat Party.

He also tried to tell us why he is making this switch. Frankly, I think his reasoning is a bit fuzzy. He made a couple of critical comments about the Republican Party, but he had no comments about what was so much better in the Democrat Party. I wonder if there might not be some hidden reason that he is afraid to tell us about.

It seems his major concern is the position of the Republican Party on the issue of environment. He also complains that the “hard right” is influencing the party. Has he not heard that Mitt Romney will be the Republican presidential candidate and he is certainly not “hard right.” Has he not heard that the “hard left” has taken over the Democratic Party? Has he not heard that this “hard left” now controls the White House? Has he not heard that this “hard left” is making shambles out of our Constitution?

Several years ago, I wrote a letter titled “The Day I Became a Republican.” On that day, I was 12 years old. I am now 90. In all those 78 years, there were many times that I was disappointed in the Republican Party, but there never was a time when Democrats presented a choice so much better that I would want to change parties. For me the choice between parties is simple. The Republican Party stands for capitalism. The Democratic Party stands for socialism. I prefer capitalism.

I am glad that Jim Ferrell wrote that column. Now I know that I will never, ever vote for him again.

Leo Thoennes, Federal Way