After hearing the news about Federal Way City Councilman Jim Ferrell and his decision to leave the Republican Party and become a Democrat, I had to think long and hard what I would want to say to this “turn coat.”

Councilman Ferrell, for several years, since you unseated Mary Gates from the Federal Way City Council, I believed you to be of higher intelligence, and I believed in your feelings for the citizens of Federal Way. You ran for mayor of our great city, but in a very close race, you lost to Mayor Skip Priest. And you showed true class when you let Mayor Priest know you would support him.

Do you know the difference between capitalism and socialism? If not, then to put it in simple terms: Capitalism stands for freedom and “We the People.” Socialism is being put under government ownership, and this is happening to our country today, under this administration. You can believe it or not. I’m sorry you deem it necessary to turn your back on a party that supported you for many years, but that is what makes our country so great, you have that freedom of choice. But I guess you don’t think it is up to the citizens to have choices.

To set the record straight, I am not a Republican, nor a Democrat, nor a conservative,  nor a Tea Party person. I think for myself, and have for over 70 years, as an independent senior who makes my own decisions.

Pat Gee, Federal Way