Letters: Democracy is doomed without civic interest
Bob Goodale, from Mattituck, casts his vote for party primaries at Mattituck-Cutchogue Jr. Sr High School on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Credit: Randee Daddona
Thank you for the front-page report highlighting the pathetic voter turnout of about 20 percent in the last election ["The big turnoff," News, Nov. 8].
The disconnect between America's belief in democracy and why so few vote is nothing less than a "canary in the coal mine" warning no one seems to be hearing. Unfortunately, nothing will change in our big-money, corrupt political system until Americans can trust government as a necessary institution that can be made to act honestly in the interest of all.
Saving the democracy we all believe in can only become a reality when all Americans are willing to do the hard work necessary to become informed voters, so they are able to distinguish between truth and fiction by focusing in on the few sources of reliable information.
Hopefully Newsday will continue to do its part.
Leo Montagna, Northport
I was pleased to see Newsday point out how many Long Islanders choose to not participate in our democracy by ignoring Election Day ["Long Island democracy of the few, for the many," Editorial, Nov. 6].
But then the editorial went on to seemingly validate some paltry excuses -- for example, Election Day is a Tuesday. Another event on a Tuesday was D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy, when thousands of Americans gave their lives to preserve our right to vote.
Good thing they weren't too busy or overly cynical about politicians. Voting requires little sacrifice and honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice to make it possible.
David J. Robins, Garden City
