I want to make a pitch for good government — and by that I mean, the belief that government can be a force for good.

Call me naïve — and I recently was called naïve about this — but I'm serious. There are so many reasons to not trust government, and it's not that I don't see some of those reasons. But I also know many people who have worked in government for their entire careers, and I know them to be people motivated by care for the common good and by civic duty.

And that's my entire pitch today: Government is comprised of many individuals who are motivated by care for their fellow human beings and an enduring belief that representative democracy is one important way to accomplish this care.

So the next time any of us are tempted to swear under our breaths (or let's admit it, out loud) about "the *bleeping* government," let's also pause and think about the real people whose motivations likely match your own — care for their community, good outcomes for people across the lifespan, a place to live that is inclusive and affordable, and where people respect each other, even if they disagree on some points.

Let's work hard to not mirror the national stage where civic and civil dialogue has been lost. We can do better.

Debbie McLaughlin

PORT TOWNSEND