Voting is a part of our democratic republic.
Imperfect though it is, and as limited as is the public’s participation, it keeps us from being an autocratic society, the latter which diminishes public participation. We are a better society when we take advantage of our opportunities. Too many of our citizens are wrong in dismissing our opportunities to participate as ineffective, meaningless, worthless. Wrong, wrong, wrong. We only will be as effective in our democratic republic as we understand we must take time to vote, participate in public meetings, and engage with our elected officials, especially in matters important to us. We may hear such a plea for democratic republic engagement without movement to increase our participation. That attitude will keep us from realizing participation in government is important.
The Illinois primary election will be March 19. Even if there is no major decision to be made, or no attractive candidates to draw our votes, we must participate. We can take time to show up. Take a ballot. Vote. Write letters to the editor. A busy schedule should be put on hold if possible. First, of course, voters must be registered. It does matter. There should be only a few excuses.
Participation is important to a democratic republic. We must have the mind-set we want to help determine our course of living. We want to remain a democratic republic! Voting is one facet.
- As a moderate independent here, it can be amusing, if not seen as flawed, when strong partisans express the opinion that only their way, their truth, must prevail and that they are anointed with the best way to proceed.
- A voice here is to writers who thankfully submit letters to us. We have two valuable Reader’s Voice entries this week. In hopes our readers always read those letters and the authors’ voices.
Deadline for submission to the Reader’s Voice is close of business each Monday for that week’s newspaper, however, most weeks earlier than Monday evening may be necessary. First come, first served. Time of submission counts, not our opinion in agreement or disagreement with message of the letter.
- Our aim is to give our readers a voice, an opportunity to express an opinion, far more than make our readers know or understand, our opinions.
We want to be The Voice!