Sometimes we must remind ourselves that we are supposed to be a government of the People and by the People. Sounds good, doesn’t it? If it is not observed by those elected by the people, democracy has failed. Those who are elected by the people are servants of the people. A fact that many in this county have failed to recognize.

Government exists because we allow it. It exists because many men and women have died and served in the military to ensure that freedom endures. We have the right to expect no more, nor less, than to demand that the principles and ideals of a free people be demonstrated through the democratic process. The right to deny citizens a voice does not rest with any governmental body. Any government elected by the People must be held to a higher moral ethical standard.

We must not allow any entity to play on the fears of its electorate and to turn them into warring factions. To do so has the tendency to destroy the existing fragile co-existence that was currently in place. To be free and independent is the right to demand that we be treated as equals and be allowed to voice and vote on ideals that concern us. When a government appears to turn a deaf ear to the truest practice of the democratic process, the people must react. To have business as usual and to sit idly by and allow it to occur reeks of an abusive master/abused servant relationship.

When people are unemployed and Congress gives itself a pay increase, and we allow our less-than-part-time county council to pay themselves a salary plus fringes that put the average Fairfield County worker to shame, then change is necessary. Such hypocrisy! Remember, they work for us, not us for them. If our governmental officials lack the integrity of guiding principles to understand they are hired hands, hired by the people and paid by the people, then democracy is lost.

In a democratic process, when governmental officials go astray with taxes, not using tax dollars wisely, making decisions that creat confusion, then the people are to blame. Of course there is a remedy: the ballot box. Maybe a referendum is needed on them. The Fairfield County Council and School Board should embrace an advisory referendum on how they are elected. The people should be able to vote it up or down.

It is my opinion that we have become separated from our leaders. The continuous disregard to allow the citizens the right to express their opinions in an advisory fashion is undemocratic. When any government stoops to representing its own narrow interest rather than its constituency, we should all have a problem. Our leaders should reflect the will of the broader community. It appears to me we are in a political climate where we have no legitimate role. The last time I looked, we live in a democracy whereby people can petition to voice their wishes, even if it is advisory. We must stop complaining and be willing to take a position and do something.

William Gray