Failure to vote puts power into the hands of others

Failure to vote puts powerinto the hands of others
EDITOR:
Politics can be a turnoff. It often brings out the worst in people -- cruel attacks, raw greed and ambition, sordid lapses in judgment. It can also be hard to follow with tedious economic detail and competing political philosophies.
When someone tells me they are not interested in politics, I well understand. But it was just our luck to be born into democracy. I must part ways with anyone who feels their input is insignificant. Especially in a presidential election year, each apathetic voter gives more power to those who participate.
If protecting or increasing funding for public higher education were the priority of every student in a public university today, and if all those students participated in the political process, it would be too large a voice to ignore. Since college-age voters have the lowest voting rate in the United States, they are easy to ignore. In European democracies, students are often a driving political force.
Government policies determine how clean the air and water are. Depending on who is in office, your taxes will go up or down. If they go down, what will be cut? If they go up, what will the money be spent on, and who will the tax primarily affect?
How good will your child's school be? Will you get a low-interest loan as a first-time home buyer? Will you have access to health insurance? Will abortion be legal or illegal? Will your country be at war? Will you or someone in your family fight in that war, and will the United States' involvement make sense to you?
These issues couldn't be more relevant.
All governments make decisions about these things, but in a representative government like ours, the decisions are influenced by voters and contributors. If you don't participate, then others will make these decisions for you. In the words of Struthers Mayor Dan Mamula, "If you don't play, you can't win."
If the whole thing seems overwhelming, begin with one issue. Go to The New York Times online, find an article about the presidential candidates and click on their names. Their opinions on many issues are listed clearly.
Talk to people who know why they believe what they believe. Get all sides of an issue. Vote. We have much at stake.
KAREN SCHUBERT
Cortland
Steadfastness of Bushis crucial for world stage
EDITOR:
Militant Islam has launched a war to annihilate those of us in the Christian world as seen in Spain, Russia and the United States. Islamists are waging an ideological war with no rules, and they will use all means. Foiling their well-planned attacks on our homeland is vital, but we must have an offense to win. The terrorists must be engaged doggedly on many fronts, wherever they are to get assistance. We are engaging them, and we are winning.
Our immensely experienced and capable leadership, our superb troops and our coalition allies are to be heartily thanked.
The coming election may well prove to be the most crucial our nation has ever held. Candidate John Kerry who seeks to replace our president has shown by his actions , words and voting record that he lacks the judgment, focus, experience, enterprise and character to lead our United States in a gravely dangerous future. We have created a war-winning organizational effort that would be shattered by a change in leadership.
George W. Bush has demonstrated his steadfastness, strategic vision and leadership capabilities. He is the right man. His re-election is vital for our national security.
CHARLES R. DAHLGREN, Student
Kent State University
Ravenna