Saturday, September 4, 2010

Our votes needed to make democracy work

Wake up, America (particularly older adults), somebody's stealing your vote!

Please promise yourself that you will vote in November, and in every future election. Party loyalty (Republican, Democrat, independent, tea party, etc.) is OK, but America and you and yours come first!

Vote, first of all, for whom or what is best for America now and for you, your children and grandchildren.

Hear me out.

Please do not say what many good, older adult Americans just like you say: "My vote won't change anything today. It isn't worth the effort."

Don't you dare believe it!

Since 1960, only an average of 47 percent of registered voters have exercised their unique privilege to vote. This privilege is not allowed on this basis in many nations throughout the world that I have visited, and those in power manage to rig the elections, unlike the USA.

Pay attention! You can shoot yourself in the foot by not voting. How? It's simple arithmetic. There's a candidate or an issue you don't think will be good for our country, you and your family's future, but you don't vote.

Listen to this. Only 47 percent, or less than half of those registered, are voting.

Let's say the candidate or issue that you would have voted against was the winner. You or I should feel ashamed, because only 47 percent voted, effectively. That candidate or issue used your vote and his to win. However, if you had voted, his vote would be blocked.

Shame on us! A democracy makes it possible for us to have the form of government that we deserve.

Remember, don't ask, don't get. And, speaking of asking, just call 305-292-3416 to have an absentee ballot mailed right to your home. Fill it out, mail it in and feel proud of yourself, and encourage others (family, friends, co-workers) to be proud of themselves too.

Don't vote, don't get!

Edward B. Knight

Key West

Judge Jones acted with dignity, respect

I am confident this letter will elicit howls from the peanut gallery that I am a "Conch, Bubba-Cuzzy" for what I am about to say. Be that as it may, as a 29-year lawyer with great familiarity of our legal system, I am proud that our circuit Judge Mark Jones maintained the dignity and respect to which our judicial system is entitled in his sentencing of Mr. and Mrs. Acevedo.

Too many times during the past several months I have heard and read comments that Judge Jones "better get his mind right" when it comes to sentencing the Acevedos or suffer being voted out of office. Shame on us as a community for belittling our judiciary just because we do not agree with the sentence imposed by a veteran judge who over the years has demonstrated all of the qualities that are essential to maintaining a fair and impartial judiciary.

Our judicial branch is the third branch of our government, and in my humble opinion the most important branch. I have comfort in knowing that any person, no matter what walk of life, can appear before the bar of our courts with confidence that justice will be meted out fairly, impartially and without regard to that person's socioeconomic status. Yes, and even a "Conch, Cuzzy-Bubba" can be confident in the fundamental fairness of our court system.

Although Judge Jones is not up for election for several years, I state publicly that I will be proud to endorse and support him for re-election when that time arises. I urge my brother and sister lawyers in this community to speak with their friends and colleagues about the importance of maintaining an independent judiciary.

Our system of government will suffer immeasurably if our judges have to rely on public opinion polls in meting out justice.

Robert Cintron Jr.

Key West