December 5, 2002

TO THE EDITOR:

I called the La Plata County election office recently to see what percentage of voters in La Plata County voted in this year's election. While exact figures were not available, I was told that about 16,000 voted out of about 35,000 registered.

A quick calculation (35,000 into 16,000) indicates that about 45.7% of those eligible actually voted. I suspect this figure was higher than it would have been without the "hotly" contested 9-R ballot propositions.

These are estimates that I received from an election official by phone. Perhaps more carefully crafted totals will give a slightly different result.

Whatever the exact percentage is, it is a sad commentary on the people of La Plata County. Numbers indicate that the national percentage of people voting was even worse. One report gave a 40 percent figure. Our system of government - at all levels - is threatened when apathy, indifference, and "one vote isn't important anyhow" attitudes pervade.

The fact that candidates from both parties are "under the control of big-buck, special interests" is no excuse. Voting is a civic duty. What is needed is full participation at all levels to get rid of those who vote away out rights in favor of special interests. If a majority of the "common people" speaks up, long and loud at every election, the politicians eventually will listen.

Democracy functions best with an informed, involved, and passionately devoted electorate. Obviously, we are far from that necessity, and we are sinking ever farther from it. The "enemies within" are every bit as dangerous as the "enemies without."

Sincerely,

Hal Mansfield, 1138 C. R. 302, Durango, CO 81303-8050

970.259.1324 mansfield_h@fortlewis.edu