4A • COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL • NOVEMBER 7, 2018
The First Amendment
O PINION
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Voting is more than just a privilege
diff erent reasons.
Sometimes it was be-
cause I connected with the
ideals of one candidate over
an-other. Other times it was
represent us.
For that reason, this time
it wasn't about enjoying the
privilege of voting as much
as it is about accepting the
From the Managing Editor’s Desk
Th ere have been mo-
ments over the last several
weeks where the thought
of casting my vote for a
candidate or measure left
me shaking my head.
I’ve spoken with several
people who have told me
that the the political rhet-
oric from both sides has
soured them to the point
that they would not vote in
the midterms.
I understand this.
However, I have always
believed that our right to
vote is not merely a privi-
lege we enjoy as Americans;
it is an obligation. Most
years, it has simply been a
privilege as I went to the
voting booth or mailed
in my ballot in support of
candidates or measures for
Ned Hickson
because I felt their vision or
reason behind a particular
measure was better defi ned
and more suited the tem-
perament of our changing
world politically, economi-
cally or socially.
Over the years, I have vot-
ed for Democrats, Republi-
cans and Independents.
I even voted for Ross Per-
ot, whatever he was.
In each case, voting was a
privilege I enjoyed because,
no matter who won, I still
felt our country or state
would be in capable hands.
Th is time, I’m not so sure
as the importance of par-
tisanship seems to outway
the needs of those elected to
obligation I have, as an
American and Lane County
resident, to educate myself
and make an informed
decision — not by relying
on spoon-fed rhetoric,
headlines, carefully staged
interviews, rants on social
media or even some of the
news sources that claim to
be unbiased.
I had to roll up my
sleeves, dig in and do the
work so that, come Election
Day, I could do the right
thing instead of the easy
thing.
It still means I will have
to accept — and live with —
the results, no matter who
is elected to which positions
or what measures do or
don't pass
But to not vote would
mean compromising my
own ideals as an American,
as well as the expectation
our forefathers had for each
of us when they fought
for our right to vote in a
democracy protected by the
Constitution.
As I said, there have been
moments where the thought
of casting my vote in this
midterm election has left
me shaking my head. But
when the votes are fi nally
tallied, knowing that I took
the time to cast my vote will
keep me from hanging my
head instead.
And regardless of the re-
sults, I support your choice
Not as a Democrat.
Not as Republican or
Independent.
But as an American.
Write to Ned Hickson at
nhickson@cgsentinel.com
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPS
Oregon state
representatives
Oregon federal
representatives
• Sen. Floyd Prozanski
District 4 State Senator
PO Box 11511
Eugene, Ore. 97440
Phone: 541-342-2447
Email : sen.fl oydprozanski@
state.or.us
• Rep. Cedric Hayden
Republican District 7 State
Representative
900 Court St. NE
Salem, Ore. 97301
Phone: 503-986-1407
Website: www.leg.state.or.
us/hayden
Email: rep.cedrichayden@
state.or.us
• Rep. Peter DeFazio
(House of Representatives)
405 East 8th Ave.
#2030
Eugene, Ore. 97401
Email: defazio.house.gov/
contact/email-peter
Phone: 541-465-6732
• Sen. Ron Wyden
405 East 8th Ave., Suite 2020
Eugene, Ore. 97401
Email: wyden.senate.gov
Phone: (541) 431-0229
• Sen. Jeff Merkley
Email: merkley.senate.gov
Phone: 541-465-6750
C ottage G rove
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