We love it when the masses gather in Olympia to exercise their right to criticize the government.

On Wednesday, more than 90 organizations will hoist a giant “net” in the Rotunda to represent the threat to the safety net posed by proposed cuts to health-care programs.

The Healthy Washington Coalition — a labor-led group but backed by many hospitals and other medical providers — is asking lawmakers to stop cuts to Basic Health, general assistance unemployment, public health, long-term care, children’s health, family planning and mental health.

The coalition is also working for Senate Bill 5945, which would set a 2012 deadline for affordable health care coverage for all residents in the state.

-- Leah Beth Ward