My favorite page of newspapers is the opinion page! It reflects viewpoints from “reasons that sound good vs. good sound reasons”… a vast difference!
A recent guest comment by Regina Plettenberg, Ravalli County Election Administrator and President of Mt. Association of Clerks & Recorders, (Wednesday, March 8, 2017) stated that the opponents of mail ballots are concerned that mail ballot elections are more open to fraud than poll elections. Also, opponents have stated that those who favor mail ballots are nihilists. She said she had to look that one up. I went a little deeper into the term of nihilist: a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless; a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially moral truths; a doctrine or belief that conditions in the social organizations are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own sake independent of any constructive program or possibility. The program of 19th century Russia party advocating revolutionary reform and using terrorism and assassination.
Shouldn’t we all question the parallels that exist with this definition and the politics and policies within our legislative bodies at state and especially national levels? Another well questioned letter to editor by Carlotta Grandstaff (Wednesday, March 22, 2017) brings up Rep. Forrest Mandeville’s (R-Columbus) outrageous response to mail ballots, that is “cost shifting.” His argument despite the estimated cost to run a half-million dollar election with poll election would be “cost shifted” to voters in “return postage,” Carlotta’s well stated response “well, he got me there” and my response to Mandeville’s thinking: “Take out your brain and jump on it – it gets all caked up,” a quote by Mark Twain.
Now if you dare educate yourself on the use of the term nihilist, you could watch the comedy “The Big Lebowski” with Jeff Bridges and John Goodman.
And to the reality side: support SB305, which asks for mail in ballots!
Peter Lethenstrom
Stevensville