Readers to Politicians: You’re Not Listening!
Commentary
A few weeks ago, this column focused on the need for citizens who are unhappy with the state of our political and justice systems to speak up about their concerns.
Your opinion can’t be counted if you stay silent, I wrote. Or as one of my readers put it, “We now have the government that we have earned but not the government our children deserve.”
Apathetic mainstream voters have allowed a minority of outspoken activists to dominate the national conversation on myriad topics: defunding police, immigration, selective prosecutions, federal spending, and lots more divisive issues. I urged citizens to get in touch with elected officials so all views can be considered.
Housing and Development Newsletter
So, what are the citizens supposed to do when their own member of Congress won t listen or respond? Reader Sally Grave said she wrote directly to the speaker of the House of Representatives. I have tried to contact (Speaker Nancy) Pelosi to complain about her actions but because I am not a resident of California I cannot, she said.
Well, that doesn t seem right, does it? If Pelosi controls the House, shouldn t she be responsive to all Americans?
A warning to politicians everywhere: Beware. The tide of apathy is lifting, and dismissive treatment has a way of sticking in a voter s mind on election day.
Authorities in two states say Brian Karl Peters Jr., 33, is no novice when it comes to allegedly committing acts of violence.
In 2012, he pleaded guilty to simple assault and criminal mischief after Hellam Township Police arrested him the year before. Charges of aggravated assault and harassment were dropped at a pre-trial conference.
Not only that, but at the time of Runkle s death, there was already a warrant for Peters arrest out of Melbourne, Florida, on charges of first-degree premeditated murder, tampering with evidence and criminal use of personal identification information, according to the Brevard County Sheriff s Office in Florida.
In Tuesday s homicide, West Manchester Township Police have charged Peters with criminal homicide, and murder of the first, second and third degree, according to online court dockets.