'I Don't Subscribe' Sweepstakes Winner!

Recently, we asked non-subscribing readers to send in creative or smart-alecky reasons why they don't subscribe to the paper, to win a grand prize of $16, the same as our basic subscription price. Here are some responses we received, including that of the lucky winner.

A. Joy wrote:
Why don't I subscribe? Easy. Because the Washington Free Press, a newspaper of progressive news (and probably ideals), is hypocritical. It's hypocritical because there's nothing free about it! It's a liberal-based publication, perhaps with dreams of anarchy between the lines, that is all about a liberal agenda. But, when I think of the words "free press" my first thought is that it must print articles covering the whole spectrum. It's free because in its pages anything can be said about anything. I can say Bush lied or the media lies about Bush-it's good either way in the truly free press. But, it's not good to support Bush in this Free Press. It should be called the "Washington Free-Within-Liberal- Boundaries Press." But, let's take an actual example from a recent issue. One article discussed the travels of a young man in Germany. His German girlfriend had far different views than him concerning Hitler and his Jewish problem and was quickly dumped when these views were exposed in a debate with a stranger. Forget about love or even a good sex life, that's not important if someone has a different political views. Is this free thinking? Dump a girl who thinks different about a historical event? The WFP is a progressive newspaper and supposedly prints progressive thinking articles. Dumping a girl over differing views, trivial views really, isn't really progressive. But, then, as the WFP doesn't discuss differing points of view in a free way, having its writers follow such tendencies shouldn't be forced either. But, then, as the WFP wrote in another place in that issue "Nothing is more effective or efficient than talking." Too bad, the WFP didn't feel free to do some efficient talking outside its narrow boundaries that are too progressive to discuss differing ideals. The WFP is free because it can say what it wants to in this nation of free speech. Just don't say something someone might disagree with!

Well, I guess we hit the jackpot with publishing things that you yourself don't agree with, Mr. Joy. Please have some humor. We asked for the most creative or smart-alecky reason that you don't subscribe, not a fine-tooth-comb search for something-anything-to criticize. You are NOT the winner of our coveted grand prize.

N. Pressly wrote:
I live in Iowa and I have my local newspaper. Good Point! I can't see how any of the news we publish matters outside of Washington state. Certainly nobody outside Washington would be concerned about healthy food, 9/11 truth, the war, gardening, diapers, or the state of the medical industry. J. Sonntag wrote:
Didn't know you existed! We didn't know you existed, either! Now we do, and-by the way-thank you very much for the subscription check you included.

J. Moerike wrote:
My "I Don't Subscribe" Survey and Sweepstakes entry is now in your hands. Do as you will. I think I did my bestest worst!

My social security went up seven bucks, but so did my cable tv, telephone, city utilities, power & electric. I [also] went to the Community Health Clinic for a tooth pull. They got a new building. Last year it was $20 for an extraction. This year they charged me $159. I told them I was on Social Security. They said "Oh! let us rebill you": $89.00. "Oh is that too much? Here is better deal": now down to $55.00. Maybe next month I will have $16 extra to subscribe. I'm not complaining because it does no good. I'll count my blessings. I have the VA Hospital for all except glasses. If I get a VA Pension raise soon, I will spend $16 then!! Thank You Washington Free Press.