Be an informed voter

I’ve heard it said that being an informed voter means growing more cynical. It’s difficult to argue. The level of corruption (disenfranchising voters to stop a voter fraud problem that doesn’t exist, blocking delegates from the conventions, super PACs), the willful spread of misinformation (pick a campaign ad on either side) and the complete failure to work together as parties leaves me honestly embarrassed.

Even so, I don’t think we have to become more cynical, just more determined. Please, voters, educate yourselves. Seek out the dissenting opinion and critically analyze it for its merits. Find the actual fact, not the one a mouthpiece behind a podium presents. Never support a politician who speaks in absolutes or exemplifies the aforementioned affronts to democracy. Make informed voting decisions based on the totality of a candidate, not a singular issue. Recognize the extremists (hint: they’re the ones who say incendiary things that aren’t true and tell you that someone else is un-American for having an opposing point of view).

Things are worse than ever right now, but what we had as a country and what we have the potential to be again is worth our effort to preserve. Please, put forth the effort America.

Tyler Tullis

Spokane