You can make a difference

We seem to be at a point where many people feel that our country is going in wrong directions. From the economy to civil unrest to world affairs to Islamic terrorism to a national debt of almost $19 trillion (check it out at US Debt Clock: real time); all seems to be in disarray and confusion. As individual people, many of us feel hopeless; that what we say or care about or advocate are thrown aside by too many politicians. It seems, too, that even when we elect those we believe will do better that nothing seems to change. Instead, the debt continues to mount (check it out for yourself), civil unrest is on the rise (Ferguson, Missouri, Baltimore, Maryland, New York, Chicago), and Islamic terrorism is on-the-rise around the world and even here in our own country. So, what is one to do? How can I make a difference? It is easy to give up, throw up our hands and descend into the realm of despair.

There is a better way and there are things we all can do to make a difference. One thing we can to it to write letters to the editor such as this one. We can attend school board and/or town council meetings. In all these examples, we can let our thoughts, ideas and POVs be known. Who knows, we might make a difference in people’s lives in so doing. Certainly we can and should become familiar with the issues and the candidates prior to the election.

Another thing we can all do is to attend our voting precinct caucus. The Republican Caucus meetings will take place on Saturday, Feb. 20 (I believe that the Democrat party will also be holding caucuses as well). There will be information in all of the local papers as to the location for each caucus. I encourage everyone to attend the caucus for their precinct.

Rick Heiberg

Coulee City