I am writing this letter to share my praise of Marissa Heffernan’s weekly column, “The Youth View,” that appears in the Sunday paper. One aspect of her writing that I enjoy is how thought-provoking it is. Whether I am left reminiscing or thinking about the life that lay ahead as a high school student, there is always something to ponder.

In particular, I would like to comment on her topic of this past Sunday’s column, entitled “Political complainers need to be informed.” In it, she stated, “Instead of trying to assign the blame to someone, focus on fixing the problem first ”¦” I agree with her completely. Politics has transformed from being about the people to being about the parties. Now, politicians are personally attacked on a multitude of levels simply because they do not agree with the “other side.”

If we want to improve anything in this country, the type of mud throwing and name calling we see needs to stop. As representatives of you and me, their goals should be focused on upholding the status for which the United States of America is prestigiously noted, with our best interest at heart. Instead, we get home every evening, turn on the news, and watch Republicans blame Democrats and Democrats blame Republicans for the problems we face as a nation.

I feel so many people are discouraged and divided to the point where they stop paying attention all together. That also needs to stop. Not to speak is to speak. By choosing not to vote or participate in debate because one thinks “My voice doesn’t matter,” they are not helping the situation. We can fix the mistakes we have made if we all work together by being informed and taking responsibility when it is due. At the end of the day, when speculating whether a senator, congressman, or even the president is doing what they were voted into office to do, the only factor that should matter is if they are following the oath in which they swore to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, we are all American. As American citizens, it is our job to stick together and not let the hardships we face divide us. This country has been through dark periods before and continued to prevail. If we remember where we come from, we can do the same. 

Katie Spagnolo,

Old Orchard Beach