ELECTION: Three quarters of shame

Only 25.02 percent of eligible voters took the time to vote in the recent election. What a shame. I just cannot see any justifiable reason why we have so many people who just don’t vote. I also believe these non-voters are the first to start griping about the way our government is run by those who are elected to represent us and look out for our interests. There is just no excuse for not voting.

I missed one election since becoming eligible to vote. The absentee ballot I received while stationed in Tripoli, Libya, in 1964 finally arrived three weeks after the polls closed. I had a nice chat with the clerk when I rotated back to the states and have never missed voting before or since.

I hope each and every one of you non-voters look into your conscience with shame, and promise to do better next time. Do not come to me with complaints unless you did vote. I will tell you where I stand and you won’t like to hear my guidance. This is especially upsetting to veterans like me who wore the uniform and served this great nation of ours. Voting is a right, but especially is a privilege. Many veterans paid a steep price for that privilege for all of us.

DUSTY RHOADS

Proud Veteran, I VOTED!

Coeur d’Alene