So the only recourse now is to search for candidates to replace Wilson, Boudreau and La Fave? with people that want to follow the law and serve the people? That's what they were elected to do. I haven't looked up when they are up for re-election but surely there are qualified people out there that, with a little help from us, would run for those seats. This is just going to keep happening if We The People don't stand up to them.
Boudreau is up for re-election this year; LaFave in two years; Wilson in three. We’re stuck with them for a while. This is what happens when 1/3 of registered voters can’t find a pen to complete a ballot mailed to their home with two weeks to return it and return postage paid. How much more convenient does it have to be? Do we have to include “official” pens with each ballot? Apathy will kill democracy.
If they don't have a horse in the race or understand whats at stake for them personally they won't do that simple task. So how do we educate them to the importance of their single vote? I don't know the answer to that either but I'm pretty sure it starts long before any election is held. In High School Civics class? We gotta think outside the box we are in and I'm not sure what that looks like.
This case illustrates why people distrust those in office. They undermine democracy and its values of equality and transparency. We need term limits to encourage less of this coziness and also to encourage truly qualified and dispassionate people to run for office.
Excellent writing, great article! Hopefully Longview (I'm in Kelso) will have some better folks running for those offices for the council the next time around. How can we get more people to vote? Neighborhood get togethers to fill out ballots/assist those who have difficulties???
So the only recourse now is to search for candidates to replace Wilson, Boudreau and La Fave? with people that want to follow the law and serve the people? That's what they were elected to do. I haven't looked up when they are up for re-election but surely there are qualified people out there that, with a little help from us, would run for those seats. This is just going to keep happening if We The People don't stand up to them.
Boudreau is up for re-election this year; LaFave in two years; Wilson in three. We’re stuck with them for a while. This is what happens when 1/3 of registered voters can’t find a pen to complete a ballot mailed to their home with two weeks to return it and return postage paid. How much more convenient does it have to be? Do we have to include “official” pens with each ballot? Apathy will kill democracy.
Boudreau is first on the list.
If they don't have a horse in the race or understand whats at stake for them personally they won't do that simple task. So how do we educate them to the importance of their single vote? I don't know the answer to that either but I'm pretty sure it starts long before any election is held. In High School Civics class? We gotta think outside the box we are in and I'm not sure what that looks like.
Are there high school civics classes anymore?
This case illustrates why people distrust those in office. They undermine democracy and its values of equality and transparency. We need term limits to encourage less of this coziness and also to encourage truly qualified and dispassionate people to run for office.
This illustrates what the Washington Coalition for Open Government calls an erosion in the public’s right to know. Check it out at WashCOG.org
Excellent writing, great article! Hopefully Longview (I'm in Kelso) will have some better folks running for those offices for the council the next time around. How can we get more people to vote? Neighborhood get togethers to fill out ballots/assist those who have difficulties???