Well, we are approaching election season. Every day there is a letter to the editor extolling one state representative/senator or another. We are told that they have done great things. Billboards and lawn signs are also popping up.

What’s missing? Direct contact between the voters and their representatives. In the past two years I have not heard one word from my elected representatives. No newsletters; no surveys; no communication whatsoever. How do these representatives know what is of interest to voters?

However, now that election time is upon us, I’m sure I will hear from them, asking for my vote. I’m not even sure who my representatives are. Is this government of the people, by the people and for the people? Or, is it a group of politicians who listen to the interest groups and who only want to get re-elected?

To add to this, we have a Legislature that has abdicated its responsibility to carefully consider proposals, have hearings and then vote on significant issues.

Instead, we have citizen referendums supported/opposed by major interest groups. These groups, primarily “from away,” spend millions to buy signatures and lobby to get their favored issue on the ballot, completely avoiding the legislative process.

Does anyone even understand the implications (either intended or unintended) of these ballot measures? Do most voters even understand the basics of what they are signing up for? I thought that this was what we elected our representatives to do.

Our Founding Fathers put forth the concept of citizen legislators who would serve a term or two and then return to their work. What has happened?

Allan Brockman

Buxton

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