Dec 11, 2014 2 min read

Once again another complaint about low voter turnout, this time in a Wednesday letter from Barry Andrews, disappointed that his candidates lost. I’m going to go out on a limb here, and I’ll posit that he did not support the Republican candidates. Would Andrews have written this letter if state Sen. Tim Solobay and state Rep. Jesse White prevailed in the November election?

Places like North Korea and Cuba boast 99 percent voter turnout. Any guess as to whether the outcome in those elections is a nail-biter?

I’d be willing to bet that the 38 percent to 40 percent turnout Andrews quotes was from voters who were 100 percent informed and involved. Better that than 100 percent turnout where 60 percent are misinformed, uninformed, or clueless. Somewhat like our Legislature, yes?

Regarding Andrews’ “bringing home the bacon” argument, I would direct attention to the recent defeat of U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, who was bringing it home in so many slabs you needed trucks to haul it. She was ousted handily. Sometimes people realize good government is not just benefits (that we pay for), but viewpoints and philosophy. Sometimes it also just disgust at someone being around way too long.

Voters in this election may have thought, as I did, go find something else to do; the seat is not yours by divine right.

John Manning

Canonsburg