Commander's Post -- December 2023
Lack of Voter Participation Lamented
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To the Editor:
News outlets have reported the election results for our Mayoral election. That is important news, but there is a bigger story here.
As of 2021 Thomson’s population was 6,873. Only 1,092 citizens voted. So, just 26.8% of our registered voters 1,092 determined the future of 6,873 citizens. The population of McDuffie County is 21,633, and since whatever happens in Thomson affects all residents of the county, one can say that 1,092 voters determined the future of all 21,633 citizens.
In 1962, Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev said that they don’t have to defeat America, they will destroy themselves from within. President Ronald Reagan said that citizens are not born with a patriotic gene, they have to be taught patriotism, and that the loss of freedom is just one generation away. Are we there yet?
These two statements alone should get your attention.
If you ask, "What is America’s biggest problem? Is it ignorance or apathy?" The answer would appear to be that the citizens don’t know and don’t care! That’s it in a nutshell. Many Americans have fought and died to give us freedom and the right to vote. We in turn have become privileged and spoiled. We need to return to the basics of knowing our history and civics and focusing on our Patriotic Duty to vote. When we fail to vote, the greatness of America slips away. When we fail to vote, we are letting our children, our grandchildren, and future generations down.
I hope these thoughts will stimulate you to think, to start a conversation with family and friends. America is 248 years old, when will it end? If I can help it, It won’t be on my watch. Ten locomotives couldn’t keep me from voting any and every chance I get.
Those are my thoughts, now you have a great day!
David B. Moore
Patriot and Citizen of McDuffie County
News outlets have reported the election results for our Mayoral election. That is important news, but there is a bigger story here.
As of 2021 Thomson’s population was 6,873. Only 1,092 citizens voted. So, just 26.8% of our registered voters 1,092 determined the future of 6,873 citizens. The population of McDuffie County is 21,633, and since whatever happens in Thomson affects all residents of the county, one can say that 1,092 voters determined the future of all 21,633 citizens.
In 1962, Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev said that they don’t have to defeat America, they will destroy themselves from within. President Ronald Reagan said that citizens are not born with a patriotic gene, they have to be taught patriotism, and that the loss of freedom is just one generation away. Are we there yet?
These two statements alone should get your attention.
If you ask, "What is America’s biggest problem? Is it ignorance or apathy?" The answer would appear to be that the citizens don’t know and don’t care! That’s it in a nutshell. Many Americans have fought and died to give us freedom and the right to vote. We in turn have become privileged and spoiled. We need to return to the basics of knowing our history and civics and focusing on our Patriotic Duty to vote. When we fail to vote, the greatness of America slips away. When we fail to vote, we are letting our children, our grandchildren, and future generations down.
I hope these thoughts will stimulate you to think, to start a conversation with family and friends. America is 248 years old, when will it end? If I can help it, It won’t be on my watch. Ten locomotives couldn’t keep me from voting any and every chance I get.
Those are my thoughts, now you have a great day!
David B. Moore
Patriot and Citizen of McDuffie County