This weekend I was out in Burrillville with a group providing voter information and promoting our preferred candidates for the upcoming election. We held signs, distributed voter information, and shared coffee and donuts.
Some people drove by, honked, waved, and gave us a thumbs up. This is what democracy looks like.
Some people drove by honked, and gave us a thumbs down. This is what democracy looks like.
A woman pulled over to tell us just how much she disliked our candidate and ended up in a lengthy conversation with one of the members of our group about how much and why he admired her car. This is what democracy looks like.
And one family drove by with their windows down, using salty language to communicate their displeasure that we were choosing to support these particular a little candidates. The little boy in the car, about eight or nine years old, angrily shouted, “you losers,” through the open backseat window. This is what teaching looks hate looks like.
Hate costs so much and kindness is free. Please, let’s all aspire to be kind this contentious election season.
Betsy Alper
Burrillville
Quiz Time: What all-important political characteristic distinguishes two of the following “Republics” from the others?
The Republic of Venezuela, The Republic of Cuba, The Federal Republic of Germany, The Peoples Republic of China, The United States of America, and the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea?
Our failure to teach history and civics is a long, sad, and perhaps, soon to be, tragic story.
The United States is a Republic….NOT a DEMOCRACY!!! A democracy is 51% telling the other 49% what to do!!!! To the Republic for which it stands….
Yes a constitutional republic, for which we elect people (democracy) to represent us and act in good faith. So it’s both a democracy and a republic.