In our right as an American citizen, we take for granted the so-called freedoms we have which have been paid for by men and women who have been maimed and even died trying to protect those very freedoms. I, for one, know the horror of facing the enemy in order to live in a free land. But, all the lives that were lost are to no avail if citizens do not fulfill their obligation to vote.
I think it is time that a law should be passed to compel citizens to vote. We are obligated to do many things, so why not this kind of law? Then and only then will our political system be changed for the better. There is an old saying that "power is in the ballot box." But how can the people have any power when only 30 percent of the people vote?
The expression "throw the bums out" can only be established when all citizens are required to vote for the person of their choice or face a fine.
Lawney Kupfner Sr.
Parkersburg
