We must work together to save our democracy

I was born in an age of world war. The country's citizens made many sacrifices to support that effort; not the least was the lives of their sons and daughters.

My immigrant grandfather didn’t let a day go by without saying, “God Bless America.” He was able to gain his citizenship by fighting for the U.S. in World War I. My father’s father and his family escaped Russia, running by night, hiding by day. They were considered the “other” and therefore not worthy.

I believe it is due to this background that our family was very patriotic. Our most valued possession was the right to vote. My father and I spent countless hours during my informative years, talking politics, philosophy, and the art of critical thinking. In the days long before the internet, I was admonished to search out both sides of every story and much to my dismay he would always take the opposite opinion of mine. In later years I realized he was teaching me “how” to think, not “what” to think.

Even though his loss still pains me, I am happy that he is not here to see what has happened to this country. We can surely use some of that “critical thinking” now.

State after state is striving to make it harder to vote by using a bogus charge of voter fraud as their excuse, even though the last election was certified by their own secretaries of state. They use the rantings of a narcissistic, want-to-be dictator as an excuse to make the process to vote more difficult, especially for the young, the old and of course the poor. This is all for the sake of power and I guess that’s alright with the 70% in their party who agree.

It behooves all of us to stand up, Democrats, Republicans and independents if we are to stop the destruction of our democracy. Putin is now mouthing the same line as the others who would like to see its demise. Don’t think someone else is going to fix it. It’s beyond time to remove ourselves from lethargy and be accountable.

Tell your senators and representatives that we want to make it easier for all citizens to vote if the true will of the people is to be heard. We are in danger of losing our democracy. It has never been perfect, but along the way we have strived to make it better. We must work together as Americans and attempt to live up to the perceived goal of our constitution that all “people” are created equal that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — e pluribus unum (out of many, one).

SYLVIA HUMES

Sandpoint