This is the year we vote again

A number of our fellow citizens qualified to run for office the other day - all the way from U. S. Senator to Governor to the legislature to County Commission to the School Board. Each of these individuals has offered to give part of his or her life to serve you and me. In our American version of democracy, we-the-people do not vote on every issue; we elect office-holders to study the issues and make the decisions. Those elected by a majority of the voters who vote will hold their office, and cast the votes, until we the-people vote again. This is the year we vote again.

So, let me suggest we-the-people thank every candidate for making the race, and do them the courtesy of learning who they are and what they stand for politically. If you are not registered to vote, for goodness sake go register. Make an effort to go meet the candidates at one of the zillion meetings they will attend. If you want to personally meet your next Senator or Governor or whatever, I will guarantee you there will be a meeting right here in Hall County where you can shake their hand and talk with them face to face.

Or, take it a notch further - pick a candidate you believe in and help him or her with the campaign. Put out yard signs, hand out literature, tell your friends. Go ahead ... take a stand. This is a democracy and you CAN make a difference. One more thing: give your chosen candidate some campaign money. It doesn't have to be much. If all of us gave a little, the big-money special interest folks would lose their clout.

The candidates have announced. The ball is in our court. Now we-the-people have a responsibility. This is the year we vote again.

This is Gordon Sawyer, and may the wind always be at your back.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/7/191898