Be a part of democracy, attend forum

“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

Abraham Lincoln

The Bonner County Daily Bee and the Sandpoint High School Cedar Post invite all citizens to a candidates’ forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the SHS auditorium.

All local, district and statewide candidates in contested primary races have been invited to participate in the forum.

What could you possibly be doing Wednesday night for a few hours that would have more impact on Bonner County’s future than to meet the people who want to represent us all?

The forum is a great way to “interview” those who seek public office as well as to see how candidates react to questions from the audience and the moderators.

The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. so candidates will have a chance to meet voters as well as disseminate information before the forum.

Come ask questions.

The event is also aimed at attracting first-time voters by offering voter registration forms. Cedar Post editor in chief Tyson Bird has been promoting the event as a way to attract 18-year-old SHS seniors to become politically active by registering to vote at the forum.

Our 16th president had it right. If voters aren’t informed and don’t learn about the issues and the candidates, they only have themselves to blame.

Consider this a formal invitation to shut off the TV for part of a night and come out and see democracy first hand. Abraham Lincoln would be proud.

David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee. He will moderate the debate along with Tyson Bird, Cedar Post editor in chief.