Atmosphere risks low voter turnout

I am responding to the wonderful letter written by Cindra Zugel (“Political criticism: Patriotism shouldn’t silence our voices,” May 20). She is 100 percent right. This scenario that one is unpatriotic for expressing an opinion is not only foolish, but also very wrong. It is our inalienable right to express our opinions.

Today, there are shades of McCarthyism, a most disgraceful period in our history. I sincerely hope we will never go through a stage like that again.

Our last election was a total sham. We know Al Gore won. It does not take the intelligence of a rocket scientist to figure that out. He won both the popular and electoral vote. If the same method of voting were used in Florida as was used in Texas where Bush was governor at that time, Al Gore would have won in a heartbeat.

I am truly concerned that our voting will be sparse in November. I have talked to many people who are so disenchanted with the whole system that they may well stay away from the polls. Will their votes be counted, they ask?

How quickly we forget. Under the leadership of President Bill Clinton (whom I feel is the best president we have ever had), we had eight years of peace and prosperity. He was dearly loved by the majority of the people and was often compared to Franklin D. Roosevelt for his political skills. Many times sheer jealousy will turn people into mean-spirited citizens who will give no credit to our last president. It truly makes no sense to me. Bill Clinton was crucified from Day 1 and Reagan was put on a pedestal, despite all his wrongdoings.

I will say, however, that President Bush is unique. Anyone who can “look a person in the eyes and read their soul” is very different, to say the least.

Everett

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