Community's failure to vote is downright embarrassing

I am still in shock following the failed election to help Kootenai school, update the heating systems and replace old buses.

I'm not stunned by the results. Anyone with their pulse on the community knew the county assessment debacle, mixed with higher energy prices and a general malaise toward spending money, doomed this proposal from the start.

The plan put forth by the school district was sound, it just fell on deaf ears.

What was most alarming was that nobody voted.

Bee letter writer Bill Hutchinson reminded us all Tuesday that the United States has soldiers dying all over the world to protect our liberties. A huge one being a right to vote.

With a fledgling democracy in bloody Iraq in the background, more than 79 percent of registered voters didn't go to the polls.

That's embarrassing. OK, it's pathetic.

As Mr. Hutchinson wrote:

"Too many people died or are dying right now for you to just take your freedoms for granted. Maybe sooner than later someone might come in and take that away from you."

Democracy is a participatory sport. There is a huge election coming in November and the results will impact our lives for years.

Maybe it is time for all of us to become better informed citizens and cast intelligent votes.

Or maybe we can just go back to watching TV and let other people decide for us.

David Keyes is publisher of the Bonner County Daily Bee.