Public market study

Regarding the feasibility study of Federal Way Public Market and our lack of vibrant activity and dining options as a reason why we have no spending power. In comparing us to the city of Asheville, North Carolina, and their 53 grocery stores (we have 15), 50 art galleries (we have 4) and 23 live music venues (we have 1), it was not mentioned that 1.4 million people visit the city every year to visit the 8,000 acre Biltmore Estate, the largest home in America.

The article ended with the public market wanting to hear from the community on what we would like to see. How much money did this study cost? I don’t see how a public market could boost the city’s economy to compare with Asheville when our only draw is the King County Aquatic Center. Maybe we don’t want a million people clogging up the roads.

Marsha Brush, Federal Way

Disappointed in article

I was deeply disappointed by your decision in the May 23 paper to run the opinion article from the Washington State Standard, “Paid-leave program punishes low income workers.” Not only is the headline misleading, but the tone throughout is patronizing and belittling to working people who rely on programs like Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) during some of life’s most challenging moments.

As someone who has used PFML — both for the birth of my children and for an unexpected surgery earlier this year — I can say firsthand that this program is a lifeline. When you’re recovering from surgery or caring for a newborn, you’re not “being paid not to work.” You’re just trying to stay afloat. Most working people can’t afford to suddenly lose a month’s wages or more. That’s exactly what the program is for.

The line that “people like it when other taxpayers help pay for their life wants and needs” is especially insulting. Taking time to heal or bond with your child isn’t a “want.” It’s a basic human need, and pretending otherwise is disingenuous.

Yes, we all pay a small amount into the program every paycheck. That’s what makes it work. It’s insurance for the unexpected, and it benefits all of us eventually. Framing it as a burden imposed by one group on another only divides us and distracts from the real inequities in our tax system, where the wealthiest continue to avoid paying their fair share entirely.

Instead of vilifying people who use the benefits they’ve paid into, let’s build solidarity across all working families. Programs like PFML are about dignity, security, and making sure no one has to choose between their health and a paycheck.

Sam Rise, Federal Way

(Editor’s note: The opinion article mentioned above ran in the Mirror’s print edition. The original online post can be seen here.)