Letter: Residents must stay involved in government

Published 3:00 am Wednesday, March 6, 2024

I want to applaud an editorial in the Hermiston Herald’s sister paper, the East Oregonian, published Feb. 20, 2024, titled “Voters must stay involved at the ballot box.” The writer should be applauded for pointing out the key components that all Oregon citizens should stay informed regarding voting at the ballot box.

“The key component to democracy is the involvement of voters,” the column stated. “Simply casting a ballot is not enough. … That means understanding and knowing what the key issues are at the Legislature and interpreting how they impact your hometown and your neighborhood. … Getting involved is not as difficult as it may seem. Every legislator has a website where they can be reached by email or phone.”

I would like to point out that the Oregon Secretary of State’s page has 54 initiatives, referendums and referrals for petitions in 2024.

I do not understand why every election year political groups are begging American citizens to vote, while people in other countries do not have the rights and privileges that we Americans have. What is wrong with our “New Age” society? Do you not understand that freedom to vote equals freedom?

Attention to the citizens who are reading this letter with their coffee, speak to yourself: “I pledge to be self-engaged with laws that affect myself and my family. I will become the most informed person. I will find the time to meet with the new candidates running for state offices. I will become a volunteer supporting a candidate ,and I will volunteer with my favorite political party. I will donate to a worthy cause. I will encourage others to make sure they are registered to vote. I will engage in my local county government and city government and I will fight for the freedoms of life that I as an American enjoy.”

I thank God I am an American citizen.

Kathy Wilson

Pendleton

PCP member, Umatilla County Republicans

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