DEMOCRATS: Your friendly neighbors

I want the best for my children, my community, my state and my country. I have lived by a simple motto for my entire life: “Service before Self.” This led me to serve in the military and work in the medical field. My values led me to be a Democrat.

To be a Democrat in Idaho makes me a rare breed, one whose opinion isn’t shared by the majority of my fellow Idahoans. I have always been open to ideas and if something can be backed up with factual evidence, my opinion on a subject can change, because I know that knowledge isn’t something one party has over the other. Michael Bloomberg said it best when he said, “Neither party has God on its side, a monopoly on good ideas or lock on any single fiscal, social, or moral philosophy.” That’s why I have always respected and listened to my Republican friends with an open mind.

As citizens, it is our duty to stay informed and take an active role in engaging our representatives, in a civil and respectful manner. Instead of name-calling or dismissing a point of view, I vow to always listen and be respectful, because I believe only together through dialogue can we begin to find common ground.

So Republicans attending the annual Lincoln Day Dinner have nothing to fear from your Democratic neighbors. All we want is to be heard by our representatives on the issues.

CHRISTOPHER MATTHEWS

Post Falls