To the editor:
Attempts to discuss social and economic issues facing America today often receive this answer: “It’s just politics.”
Well, of course!
We are the body politic (a state or nation as an organized political body).
We vote.
That’s what makes democracy, not olligarchy.
In pure democracy the state is controlled by the people, each sharing equally in privileges and responsibilities, each participating in government.
America is not a pure democracy. We are a republic.
We vest political control in elected respresentatives. That is why it is so very important to vote.
First, we must register.
Second, it is incumbent that we study issues and know candidates’ positions. We must vote with our brains rather than our emotions, prejudices or meek abeyance to spurious word-spinners from left, right, center; Democrat, Republican, Independent, Tea Party, self-serving politcal action committees or the just plan clueless.
It is politics but not partisan to become educated on issues and how people now and in the future will be affected by the choices our elected representatives make.
It becomes partisan when we throw money and support behind a party or candidates and when we pull the lever in the voting booth.
If we are not engaged in politics, we have forfeited our right of citizenship.
– Maryneal Jones