Importance of political engagement

Many voters do not take the time to realize the effect of not doing some easy research on the General Court website (gencourt.state.nh.us) and reading the newspaper. It takes only minutes to determine what each representative is voting on or sponsoring for proposed legislation.

For a Democrat, Republican or independent to feel confident about voting for a presidential, congressional or Senate candidate and disregard their state representative and senatorial candidates is a common but misguided use of a state and community responsibility.

The result from not being informed before voting could be having a “Free Stater” elected. These misled libertarians make up a small minority of representatives within the State House.

A good example is Rep. Brian Seaworth of Pembroke, whose voting record disregards issues within the communities and state for those less fortunate and who need the assistance of the school system, health programs, opioid prevention and food assistance programs.

To vote against humane assistance programs that have a minimal impact on the state budget is wrong. You have to question if Rep. Seaworth is prepared to vote on bills by researching them thoroughly and if he understands what his community’s and the state’s needs are. He always votes the easy, radical reversal of any Democratic-sponsored legislation.

A representative needs to understand the majority of the people he or she represents and to not be fearful of the strength of government. This is what makes government for the people by making politics positive and successful.

THOMAS DOHENY

Pembroke