I am about as angry as I have ever been! And, I am afraid my eighth-grade language arts teacher may have been right. I remember the day when Mrs. Vanlaningham told us that someday, we would elect a dictator. I hate to think that day may finally be on the horizon.
Where in the world do I live? Do I live in the state of Alaska? In the United States of America? Where government is of the people, by the people and for the people?
That IS what democracy is, right? Or are we becoming a dictatorship where a party endorses candidates over a year before the election?
I have been a Republican ever since I registered to vote in my first election in Illinois at age 21 back in the dark ages when voting wasn’t a right until age 21. I have exercised my right to vote in literally every election that I can remember whether it was a local, state or national election. And, I am proud to say I cannot remember ever voting a straight party ticket.
Never in my life has a party decided for whom I have voted, nor has any union’s endorsement influenced my vote. I take very seriously the issues and candidates for which we vote and do my best to learn as much as I can about each one placed before me on the ballot.
I resent the fact that the Alaska Republican Party has canceled the 2020 primary election and has already endorsed our current president Donald Trump, and all our state’s lawmakers: U.S. Rep Don Young, and U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan to be on the 2020 general election ballot.
Since when has the party endorsed candidates without giving us a choice and a vote to determine whom we want on the ballot?
As of this week, I changed my party affiliation to Independent where I hope to have a voice in who represents me. I do not need a party telling me who is the best candidate … not today … not tomorrow … not next year … not ever.
Dixie Alms,
Juneau
• My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire.