Our dysfunctional Congress sometimes moves even the staunchest supporter of democracy toward errant thoughts. This is democracy? This is what we are trying to encourage in the rest of the world? This week an event in my local Island County (state of Washington) commission meeting restored my belief in government by the people.

A packed house at the commission meeting on continuing a conservation futures levy resulted in a 3-0 decision by the commissioners to continue the levy. Two of the commissioners are Republican, and one is a Democrat.

According to the local South Whidbey Record, hundreds of the county’s residents contacted their commissioners in support of the levy. The levy uses taxpayers’ money to buy easements for conservation purposes in the county. Commissioners had considered placing the levy on hold.

The meeting to consider continuation of the levy was packed. One attendee said, “It’s interesting that we have a packed house. There’s bigger value in life than a dollar sign.”

Amen. The other Washington, as the place on the Potomac is known here, might want to take notice.