Dear Editor:
The continuing trend of increasing citizen apathy manifested itself in an ugly way this past general election. A dismal one third of all registered voters voted. Experts tell us that only 60 percent of all eligible voters are registered to vote. Hardly a mandate for any individual or party to lay claim.
Living in a Democracy means more than 10 minutes of voting at the polls twice annually. An old adage goes: “If voting 10 minutes per year is all of the Democracy you choose then it is all of the Democracy you will get.” That being said, the following are some ways you can become more actively involved in our Democratic society:
1. Read of the issues the politicians — locally, regionally and nationally are talking about — just don’t believe what they say or follow your intuition — check it out for yourself.
2. Attend meetings of public bodies — City Council meetings, City planning meetings, Board of Education meetings, PTA meetings, reading independent media sources both traditional or on line and finally, maybe even consider forgoing one night per week of television and going to your local JC Library branch to research topics of interest. Did you know that the JC Free Public Library is part of an interstate network of libraries? If the book you would like to borrow is not on the shelf you can request that book from a host of other libraries participating in a nation-wide network of public libraries, for no additional charge!
Other examples off getting involved are researching local/grass roots issues right her in the community:
1. County Executive Tom DeGise was a frequent “rubber stamp” for former Mayor Schundler. Schundler was actively seeking to develop the abandoned rail cut leading into Jersey City known as the Bergen Arches as highway. Imagine more highways leading right through downtown Jersey City to the Waterfront! This issue was glaringly absent from the recent election campaign. Where does he stand on this issue? Where do you stand?
2. State Assemblywoman Quigley has barely ever made an appearance in her own Legislative district in Jersey City. Hon. Assemblywoman Quigley is also senior staffer of the Franciscan Hospital Health System and sits on the Health Committee of the NJ State Assembly. FYI, Jersey City has arguably some of the worst health statistics in the country and environmental pollution to boot. Whose interests does she really represent? Where do you stand?
These are just a few of the issues we face here in Jersey City. There are many more. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Voting for a politician is not making a consumer brand choice as if shopping in a retail store. In a nutshell, if you have not yet registered to vote, Do So! If you have already registered to vote please get involved by being informed and informing your fellow citizens of the issues — and inspire others to do the same.
Alan Singer
Somewhat informed