What a gut-wrenching, heartbreaking letter from Keegan Justis (“No need to vote,” Our Readers’ Views, July 17). At least there is a full measure of absurdity or mind-blowing ignorance from the Trump “patriots.” I can applaud and encourage community service and charitable contributions. I can respect career focus and thoughtful planning for children and time with one’s partner. The dismissiveness toward citizens who run for public office is insulting, disrespectful and reeks of ignorance.
The aspirations that Justis has for his life and career are no less significant than the aspirations of the people I know and support that run for public office. I support democracy in this country and particularly in Ukraine, where they personally know their fate if Putin has his way! Eastern Europeans chose NATO and EU over Russian “greatness.” They do not want to “outsource” their civic preferences to sociopathic autocrats.
Votes are what matter and the higher the voter turnout, the more authentic are the officeholders and their ability to influence policy. Every legislator knows who has the most secure seat at the decision-making table. I despise the Electoral College. I want ranked-choice voting, more evenly divided (less gerrymandered) jurisdictional boundaries and 90 percent voter turnouts for school boards.
