Letters on letters: No excuse for not voting

Judging by the hundreds of letters we received on L.A.’s mayoral campaign (and other races) between the March 5 primary and Tuesday’s election, Angelenos weren’t exactly thrilled watching the candidates engage in political fisticuffs for nearly three months. Many letters were laced with exasperation, expressing disappointment over negative campaigning.

That mood was reflected in a letter published Thursday by San Pedro resident Marie Matthews, who lashed out at the candidates for calling her house “constantly.” She asked like-minded readers to “please stand up and holler.” But what really irked the readers who responded to Matthews’ letter was her opening line: “I did not vote Tuesday, my first time ever sitting out an election. The main reason is that there was little difference between Mayor-elect Eric Garcetti and Controller Wendy Greuel.”

Here is a selection of those letters.

—Paul Thornton, letters editor

David Reid of Hollywood says Tuesday wasn’t just about L.A.’s next mayor:

“It was sad to read a letter from a reader who sat out the election this week because she was put off by the race for mayor. There was more at stake than who would be mayor.

“Two other citywide offices were on the ballot. There were numerous district races and three marijuana measures. Proposition C — a shout-down to the U.S. Supreme Court over its Citizens United decision — was the big winner of the night, garnering 77% of the vote.

“Residents displeased with both Greuel and Garcetti could have voted ‘none of the above’ by simply leaving that part of the ballot blank.

“When all is said and done, your vote is the most powerful tool you have in this democracy.”

Woodland Hills resident Carol Levin — in an emailed letter with the subject line “I share your frustration Marie Matthews” — wrote:

“To Garcetti, Greuel and everyone else who ran: Please start cleaning up my neighborhood. Your posters are everywhere.

“For anyone else considering a run in the next election, here are my suggestions: Clean up a freeway on-ramp and then put up a single sign touting what you did; pull some weeds along the 101 Freeway and then advertise what you did; fix a sidewalk in my neighborhood and then tout your work; and call me once, not 10 times, and I might actually listen.

“I am sick of being browbeaten every election. I am tired of seeing my neighborhood trashed by those ubiquitous signs. Those millions in campaign spending should be used for something worthwhile.”

Alan Segal of San Diego offered pointed criticism:

“One reader couldn’t be bothered to vote because she didn’t see any difference between the two candidates. She asks those who share her frustration to speak up.

“You know who wishes they could still stand up and holler? Those veterans in silent graves we honor this Memorial Day, who sacrificed all in large part for everyone’s right to vote.”

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