Organize and vote

I want to acknowledge and praise our men and women in uniform whose families sacrifice greatly to keep our nation safe. I also want to acknowledge and praise the employees of our federal, state and local governments, most of whom do a great job. We only hear about the ones who aren’t doing their jobs.

I am very empathetic to those who are protesting racial injustice in our nation. Recent tragic events show we have a long way to go. Our democracy asks very little of the average citizen, who goes about her or his daily life not thinking very much about what their government is doing. If you are angry enough to organize and protest, are you angry enough to organize and vote?

In the last election, it was estimated that slightly more than 37 percent of eligible voters voted. Elections do have consequences, and we will see that play out over the next few years. I don’t much care who you vote for. I am in favor of an educated, engaged electorate. People have fought and died here and elsewhere for the right to vote. So, get out and vote. It’s the tiny price you pay for the right to complain about the results.

John Crews

Coeur d’Alene