By Jake Sallerson
The "Never comes back" editorial from last week was perhaps one of the most necessary pieces of literature I've seen to come from The Valley Reporter in some time. In it, the editor clearly explained the loss of rights Moretown has just voted away in giving the power of public official selection to public officials.
Without needlessly reiterating her point, though entirely a valid one that perhaps should be looked into, I want to address one separate to it that frightens me more.
In last week's vote, only 17 percent of Moretown's voters turned out to participate in the election, where 232 of the 1,375 legally registered voters chose to make a decision affecting the entirety of the town.
As someone running for public office this November these figures really bother me. Obviously nobody can be or should be forced to participate in our democracy; the freedom to not do so is perhaps even more important than the right to do so. However, the more concerning issue isn't whether one has the right to choose, but how a choice is chosen for you when you do not participate.
Perhaps a hypocrite in this particular situation as I chose intentionally to abstain from voting on Tuesday (voting for my competition doesn't necessarily serve my best interests regarding attaining election), I can empathize with voters who choose not to participate in our democratic process. There are always legitimate and quality reasons as to why someone may choose to refrain from going to the ballot box. But when the figures are below 20 percent participation, it is no longer the occasional individual not participating in the process but the overwhelming mass majority.
Without sounding patronizing, the right and freedom to vote is perhaps one of only a few distinctions Americans have had in modern history. With the exception of Ancient Greece and Rome, our democracy and democracy itself is still a very obscure concept throughout the world. I urge my fellow citizens, especially in situations where rights are lost from a lack of participation, to take full advantage of these unique abilities we are granted. It means the difference between a democracy and an oligarchy.
To watch as our rights are steamrolled into oblivion due to apathy is a poor excuse to give to our children when they ask why a free country becomes less free each and every day.
Sallerson lives in Warren.
