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Blue Springs, MO —
W. Dale Russell
Blue Springs
To the editor:
A forwarded email I received a week ago stated that all our country’s problems are the fault of 545 different people, 100 Senators, 448 Representatives and nine Supreme Court judges. After giving it some thought, I answered the email, with this thought.
The real problem is not the 545, it is the 300-plus million who do not take an active role in the political process. Very few people can name more than one of their congressional representatives (Missouri has nine). There are multitudes who cannot name their senators. I doubt 3 percent of the adult population can name five of the nine U.S. Supreme Court judges.
I also doubt if more than 1 percent of our state’s population has ever written a real letter, either supporting or opposing an issue to any of the state or federal legislators. I also doubt that even one-tenth of our population has ever taken the time to go to the state Capitol and testify in favor or against a piece of legislation.
However, the greatest percentage of our population can quote stats on sports teams and individual athletes. Most can give a running commentary of the latest TV reality shows or soaps.
Because of this inaction and lack of interest, the general population has abrogated not only its rights but its responsibility. In a sense, we are reaping what has been sown.
W. Dale Russell
Blue Springs
To the editor:
A forwarded email I received a week ago stated that all our country’s problems are the fault of 545 different people, 100 Senators, 448 Representatives and nine Supreme Court judges. After giving it some thought, I answered the email, with this thought.
The real problem is not the 545, it is the 300-plus million who do not take an active role in the political process. Very few people can name more than one of their congressional representatives (Missouri has nine). There are multitudes who cannot name their senators. I doubt 3 percent of the adult population can name five of the nine U.S. Supreme Court judges.
I also doubt if more than 1 percent of our state’s population has ever written a real letter, either supporting or opposing an issue to any of the state or federal legislators. I also doubt that even one-tenth of our population has ever taken the time to go to the state Capitol and testify in favor or against a piece of legislation.
However, the greatest percentage of our population can quote stats on sports teams and individual athletes. Most can give a running commentary of the latest TV reality shows or soaps.
Because of this inaction and lack of interest, the general population has abrogated not only its rights but its responsibility. In a sense, we are reaping what has been sown.
