Voter Apathy

As a long-time Democrat and a person who has donated hundreds of hours and dollars to the Democratic Party, I think that voter apathy stems primarily from the feeling that voters don’t understand the effect of public policy as enunciated by the candidates for public office and as reflected in the initiatives. I believe that candidates for public office are for the most part very fine public servants and as good as or better than the general public as far as ethics and morality are concerned.

Certainly, the TV ads distort the positions of candidates and initiatives. TV stations should follow up the ad with an analysis of the truth of the allegation and promote public understanding of rather complex issues. The voters have to be taught that they have a responsibility to develop good government by the example they make in their everyday lives.

The problem with government is not the politicians but we the people who have been taught that life is nothing but a bowl of cherries. It will be the well-to-do and their selfish interests that will destroy this nation, not the poor, as so often alleged.

STANLEY ERICKSON, Beverly Hills