Swing state dilemma
The national news media is stressing the importance of "Swing States" in the upcoming presidential election between President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
As a result, it is easy for voters in the non Swing States to ask if their votes count in deciding the election. Why bother, why take the time to learn about the issues, watch the debates and conventions, or read news articles about the candidates' visits to the Swing States of Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nevada and Colorado?
Here's why: we still live in a Democracy and secure voting is a treasured right that people in other countries do not have.
While the non Swing States (like Washingon state) are statistically not the deciding factor in determing the presidential election, we still think it's important that everyone remain involved in the election process by voting in the presidential election.
If you decide not to vote just because the presidential candidates aren't visiting your home state, you miss out in learning about the issues and fully understanding the candidates.
Most importantly, it is in your best interest and that of your family and business to read, listen and learn about the candidates. Failure to do so could make you unprepared for what the next president might do and the direction he could take our country.
Let's say your favorite candidate doesn't win. At least you can feel comforted in knowing you were informed in your decision making and likely can predict some of that candidate's next moves and future policies. Preparing and research will help you make a variety of decisions in many facets of your life,
If you do become disheartened at the distance between the politics in Washington state and Washington, D.C., refocus your efforts on local and state offices.
An important contest in Washington state is the race for the governor's seat between Republican Rob McKenna and Democrat Jay Inslee. Although Washington state is a heavily Democratic state overall, there are areas of the state that vote heavily Republican, like Grant County.
The governor's race is already proving to be an interesting one, and we encourage you to keep reading, watching and learning more about the issues.
To learn more about local races, attend Monday night's candidates' focum at the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. State representative candidates Matt Manweller and Kaj Selmann are attending the event, along with Carolann Swartz, the Grant County commissioner incumbent and a representive from her opponent Jim Liebrecht's campaign.
Representatives from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee are expected to attend and Republican candidate for Lt. Governor Bill Finkbeiner could show up.
- Editorial board