I found the April 14 editorial cartoon disturbing and offensive because it promotes the myth (in the form of an “alternative fact”) that homelessness is only Seattle’s problem. Evidence of homelessness can be seen daily, in Redmond and other Eastside cities, for those who are willing to look. Pretending that the causes of homelessness are not our problem is a false economy like believing that climate change does not have many indirect costs (for which we all pay).

There are many causes of homelessness and most can and do occur within our city. Your neighbor could lose her job due to corporate cutback beyond her control. Then without health care, she has a medical issue and loses her home due to the initial costs of treatment. This is a complex issue and will need an ongoing and changing response as our economy evolves. As a longtime resident of Redmond, I want us to deal with the realities of our problems rather than pretend they don’t exist.

Steve Thompson

Redmond