Voting gives citizens power

To the Editor:

Election season is when many become captivated by politics. Why? Second only to individual choices that each of us continually make, policies and laws created (or not created) by elected officials have the greatest influence on our quality of life. And although shaping government policy is difficult work, choosing the right elected official for that work is vastly easier.

Many people feel powerless when it comes to the business of lawmaking. Voting, however, is one of the most forceful (and easiest) ways for individuals to control government. Voting also happens to be little more than one of those everyday individual choices. Ironically, though, many citizens forego this enormously powerful right, thereby forfeiting to others (who may not have similar values) an opportunity for better control of their lives.

If you haven't already planned to vote on Tuesday, November 7, please consider it. Especially for first-time Idaho voters and those who have changed addresses, verifying one's voter registration status and/ or registration requirements in advance can make the process even easier. Call your county court house.

Do yourself a favor and vote this year. In fact, vote as if your (quality of) life depends on it… in many ways, it does.

Naomi Goldberg

Hailey