Spence: Iraqi Voters Shame Us

In the seven years since the U.S. invasion, there’s been little to make me think the average Iraqi citizen might be better than us Americans. No doubt that has a lot to do with the selective news coverage: Mostly what we hear about is somebody blowing themselves to pieces, killing and maiming their fellow countrymen. That’s hardly something that could earn our admiration. Flailing away in random violence - it smacks of hopelessness, the very antithesis of the American spirit. In at least one regard, though, Iraqi behavior puts us to shame. That would be in the voting booth. For the most part, voting in America is about as difficult as signing up for a free refrigerator. We may have to stand in line for a bit, but with the vote-by-mail movement, even that’s quickly becoming a thing of the past. For us this basic duty is a minor inconvenience. In Iraq, by contrast, people die for the privilege/ William L. Spence , Lewiston Tribune. More here .

Question: Why do we have to be dragged kicking and screaming to the polls, while Iraqis willingly will risk their lives to vote?