A great civics lesson for U.S.

This is democracy at work. It is not a constitutional crisis – it’s a great civic lesson! How wonderful it is to be discussing these issues at the grocery store, at the gas station and, most importantly, at the dinner table in our own homes.

It is unfortunate that more credit has not been given to the citizens of this country during this time. We, as observers and concerned citizens, are learning of the faults and checks and balances of our republic, as wells as the safeguards of our systems and institutions. This issue has underlined how important every vote and every voice is in a democratic society. It is now our responsibility as concerned and caring citizens to let our elected officials know where we stand on the issues focused on during this struggle to determine who will hold the greatest office in our land. As I see it, the following seems to be the major issues:

1. The validity and need of the electoral college to determine the presidency.

2. A universal ballot or national uniform electronic process.

3. Uniform national polling time.

4. A voting day (i.e. Saturday or a Friday-Saturday 24 hour voting time) that makes voting easier for all citizens of this country.

5. Legislation that does not allow for media access to results or interpretation of the actual tally of the vote until all polls are closed or the vote totals are certified.

Let’s do something as a nation – tell your elected officials how you feel about these issues, or any that you feel are important as a result of this time in history. Let that official know what you will do in relation to the issues or ask what can be done. They are your elected officials and they should hear you. Get on the phone. Get on the Internet. Fix what you may see as broken and democracy will have been served.

Stanwood