Letter: People need to realize their vote does count

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1998 | 9:48 a.m.

Such thinking is not only counter-productive but aids and abets the very politics they condemn.

Another defeatist mind-set is, "If you don't have money, I don't care how many times you vote. It doesn't matter."

Collectively, the interviewees say, "They're (politicians) not really talking about the issues." I ask, why should they considering the preceding? And, when:

-- We keep electing and re-electing politicians we publicly condemn.

-- In some past elections fewer than 18 percent voted (26 percent, Sept. 1).

-- We admit we're too busy to give time to listen to and read about issues.

Accordingly, let us never buy into such self-defeating mind-sets. Rather:

-- Let us always vote.

-- Emulate the Pappas, Hecht families, et al. and sue officials, city, county, etc. as they did (and won) against the illegal use of eminent domain.

-- Emulate concerned citizens as Robert Rose and others who file charges with the Ethics Commission against corrupt, unethical politicians.

-- Urge the media (print, television & radio) to focus on and expose corrupt officials. This is the "key," because there is no power in the entire state equal to the media.

-- Lower our tolerance for political misconduct.

-- Avoid partisanship as much as possible (I praise the 59,000 registered Clark County voters who are beholden to no party). Partisanship is one of the greatest evils. Corrupt politicians bank on it.

Therefore, I suggest we the people avoid such mind-sets and register and vote. This is the way the honest government we all want comes about.

Clyde Dinkins