Matt Garland states that Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is misusing federal funds by using taxpayer dollars to pay for her campaign mailers and that her town halls are really not public outreach town halls
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
Knowing that Washington state, as well as the United States as a country, is just a little over a year away from holding a general election, this upcoming event has caused me to look at how skewed our reality is on the subject of a well-informed public.
Our representative for the 3rd Congressional District, Marie Glusenkamp Perez, for instance, is misusing federal funds by using taxpayer dollars to pay for her campaign mailers (The congressional franking privilege, which dates from 1775, allows members of Congress to transmit mail matter under their signature without postage). In addition, her town halls are really not public outreach town halls. They are scripted events meant to gather together activists under social issues, usually held on liberal college campuses.
The above is representative of a smug and elitist disposition seen in many Democrats. They believe their “majority” is a mandate to roll out unconstitutional laws that eliminate transparency in elections, reduce the ability of law enforcement to apprehend and arrest criminals, and promote (and support) radical transgender ideology.
I looked up the definition of democracy online, and the first definition that was shown was the following:
A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
Another definition by another source:
Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.
The above definitions are from a few sites. There are probably dozens if not hundreds of different descriptions and definitions of the word democracy out there.
The word democracy, however, does not describe the actual relationship between the citizens and the power they hold over their representative form of government.
With that, the mental space of the citizen is always assumed to be genuinely untainted and well informed. But that precious mind of the citizenry is not being filled with reality based information. Instead, we have to face many individuals who are everyday waking up with an inaccurate picture of reality. These individuals are potentially harming themselves or their fellow citizens when acting on false information.
By lacking essential critical thinking not only for day-to-day grind decisions, but when also required for voting, and civic participation, unaware citizens become easily controlled drones for special interests.
With recent events dating back to the Summer of 2020, it is very apparent that the aforementioned mental space of the citizen has not been treated fairly when it comes to information. This has resulted in citizens who are not motivated to act appropriately in civics, nor has it resulted in an adherence to fact based information in public discourse. The media has not only neglected their once highly valued and ethical role of investigating and reporting the truth, they have instead decided to be change-agents, activists and filters that distribute propaganda.
How can we, as citizens, go about our lives enjoying our freedoms, while a highly trained group of writers, investigators, radio and television producers ignore matters that may affect our immediate and long term lives?
The process for restoring an effective representative form of government is now about the healthy functioning of citizens’ minds on important matters. The blame for our manipulation, loss and decay related to the democratic functions and process of government, lay at the feet of the mainstream media, academia, woke corporations, and corrupt politicians.
Matt Garland
Vancouver
Also read:
- Opinion: Courts blocking the Kroger-Albertson merger won’t stop consumers from making choicesPaul Guppy of Washington Policy Center critiques judicial rulings that block the Kroger-Albertsons merger, citing changing consumer trends and potential job losses.
- Opinion: Workers need money — and the many other gifts work can bringElizabeth New Hovde discusses the value of work, its benefits for workers and employers, and its impact on personal growth.
- How Should Washington Taxpayers Handle TriMet’s Proposed Light Rail Costs? Share Your Thoughts!C-TRAN Board reviews TriMet’s proposal for Washington taxpayers to fund 45% of light rail operating costs, sparking local debate.
- Opinion: Get ready for the 2025 legislative sessionNancy Churchill emphasizes the importance of citizen participation as the 2025 Washington legislative session begins.
- Opinion: Thousands of Republicans didn’t vote. Why?Amboy resident Thomas Schenk discusses low Republican voter turnout and election concerns in Clark County.