VOTING: Apathy has become detrimental

Dick Powell is correct that voters need to vote for more than the letter R or D. 

The real hitch is they need to VOTE. Thirty-nine percent of eligible voters did not vote in November 2024. Even with absentee and military voting, the American apathy toward politics has become detrimental to “by the people for the people.” To think citizens relinquish their right to vote when half the world has no chance to choose their governance is astonishing. Russia kills off the opposition, North Korea has no elections, Afghanistan under the Taliban has ended all rights for women beyond breeding and feeding. Living in places where monarchs, dictators, rulers, sheikhs and ayatollahs control all aspects of life (and death) you can pray or beg for their benevolence with little impact. 

Politics has become ugly and also dangerous in America. I understand why one has to turn it off to maintain your quality of life. Some Americans are abandoning our nation in favor of happier societies. 

The founders were few and all male, educated, religious landowners who acted with benevolence. Right now, we are watching The Constitution and Rule of Law vanish and all because 39% of privileged Americans failed to show up. Picking YOUR choice is all we ask — to save Democracy and the Rule of Law that may be lost forever. When the politicians only work for their own enrichment not their constituents we have an Oligarchy. Our nation needs all our voices at the polls twice or three times a year. 

Show up and vote no matter your party — R, D or I! That is Democracy. 

LYNN FLEMING

Coeur d’Alene