Second override usurps residents' democracy

To the Editor:

By putting the override to the ballot again, our government is making a choice to represent the interests of the minority. What has happened to the concept of American democracy, a government of the people? If the override passes on this attempt, do you think that the opponents of the override will be afforded a second chance at the ballot? No way. A victory would be declared as a done deal, a mandate from the people. This latest perversion of democracy illustrates the glaring reality that ours is not a government of the people. It is a government of the special people and the special interests. They aren't honoring our will, rather they are looking for ways to subvert our will and increase government spending.

The discouraging consequence of this behavior is a loss of faith in our government by its own citizens. Several people I have spoken with, who opposed the override, don't want to participate in the next ballot election because they know that those good for nothing, so and so's in local government are going to badger them and manipulate the system until they get their money, so why should they waste their time voting? To add insult to injury, we use their tax dollars to pay for the cost of another election.

While this may be heartening news to the proponents. It should also give them pause. Is it worth the price of democracy just to extract additional taxes from a beaten down, disgusted, majority? If we want to do something meaningful for the children, how about showing by example that we believe in America and the American system of democracy? How about preserving a "government of the people" for them?

Even if you supported the override the first time, I ask you to vote against it this time as matter of respect for the American process of democracy. If you were opposed the first time, please show up again and bring plenty of friends. It is up to us to do what our government won't do. Show your fellow citizens that you respect the election process and the will of the people.

Keith Harding

Westminster