I hear a lot from people about the predicament we are in with regard to the upcoming elections. The tendency is to attack the candidates, depending on their policies and personalities, and how they match up to our own views.

Debate is healthy, and I have no problem with it. The truth in my view, however, is that when the dust settles and whoever wins, the results are not the fault of the candidates themselves, but rather it is our fault collectively as citizens. Just 46.6% of eligible voters cast ballots in the 2022 midterms, and 66.6% in the 2020 presidential election.

We are a democracy, and majority rules (except for that crazy Electoral College thing). Where the heck are the other 33 to 53% of the voters? If one side loses, as Shakespeare said (sort of), “the fault lies not in the stars, but in ourselves.”

George Koutalakis
Old Orchard Beach