First, congratulations Virginia Haugen for escaping the political noose one more time. The good news is there are still some Virginias out there fighting the battles all of us should be fighting when needed.

Most of us are too busy playing with our toys, amusing ourselves with the latest gadget technology, to become involved. We are just too lazy and disinterested to pay attention. Not paying attention has resulted in the political/financial mess we find ourselves in now, from the federal to local level.

People must be aware and involved. They need to ask questions and demand that information be available to the public. Most of all, we need to remind these elected officials that they work for us. We pay their salaries. We expect to be treated with respect and hold them accountable for their actions.

We have far too long disengaged ourselves from the democratic system and allowed the officials to create a system which now is almost inaccessible. We are at fault for allowing this to happen.

If anything good comes from the political/financial mess, it would be people willing to experience and learn about what is really going on. And when, and if, things return to normal, they should stay informed and involved in the system. We need to be involved. We cannot be bystanders.

Democracy is being killed off before our very eyes. Please become involved, informed and keep the Virginias alive.

I’m just a grandmother concerned about what my grandchildren might be inheriting.

– Patricia Horn