System set up to ensure fairness

I have watched with interest the various letters sent to The Herald regarding the pros and cons of the recount process for Washington governor. Some interesting points have been made by both sides but what distresses me about many letters is not the point of view expressed; it is the apparent self-servingness of them.

I would venture to say that a large percentage of the letters supporting the recount comes from folks who voted for Chris Gregoire. Likewise, many of those opposing the recount voted for Dino Rossi. I have no science to back this up, just a suspicion.

The over-riding importance of the recount is not who wins or loses, though of course that is important. It is that democracy is reinforced by the counting of all legally submitted ballots, newly discovered or not. That we have a ballot and options for recount, coupled with a legal system to ensure fairness, is the brilliance and strength of our system; not a weakness. In my opinion, if you do not support this concept – regardless of who wins or loses – you are attacking a fundamental of Democracy, and by extension acting in an unpatriotic manner.

Barry Brower

Everett