DOROTHY M. BELL, Editor
PALMER, ALASKA
' —.. '> • »
Published . every ,'Friday at Palmer,• 'Alaska, for the Matanuska Vnll-y
' farmers ’ Cooperating Association for the purpose of giving news of the
association's work, problems, and accomplishments.
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SINGLE COPY 10
VOTING IS A DUTY
According to definitions of the word Democracy,we find that neither -
our National nor our State or Territorial governments can qualify ns
Democracies, Democracyis a word often misused. It is taken from the
Greek word "demos" (the people) and "Kratein" (rule) which together :
means '’Rule of the people." Therefore, it seems that the only place
whore we might find democratic governments would be in local communities#
towns, or townships. This type is possible only where people can get
together end everyone vote on all questions. Our'National, State, Ter
ritorial, an d City governments then are all of the representative type
or Republics in form. The people still have much to say in this firm
of government,4 but indirectly. We are all responsible for our National,
State, or Territorial' governments and the type of people who are in
control. Wouldn't it seem then that we really ought to be just a little
more concerned over who gets into office on election day. The prPM m
of electing the right-type of representatives is not a small one. In
fact in a country as large as ours it is a very big problem.-• Few of js
hav an .opportunity of knowing candidates for these positions -person lly.
We l ave to rely on available records of past work "of these men or women.
Oft-^n we wonder just how much to believe, because often politics will
go to any le ngth to get a'candidate elected. We will have to admit
that our system is far from perfect; but in spite of all its defects,we
still maintain and firmly believe that ours .is still the best cf any
man made government. Voting is not only a 'privilege, but *a duty that
we as citizens ewe to our country and*to ourselves. National Flection
Day is drawing near and many will sit up all night to find out how the
election goes, buthow do we vote! In the 1940*Presidential Flecti< n,
there was a potentiol^poplilation of 80,000,000 in round figures and
the vote cast was,(in round figures) 50,000,000. Yet we con all ho]"er
about laws we don't like, Laws we should have, and the people in office
o are unsatisfactory. How many know how we vote in the Valley—of
course we cannot vote ini the National Flection (yet), but we con vote
in our local and Territorial Elections. This fall There were 217 votes
cast out cf a possible 550--less than half. The only way that our
governments can be 'improved .arid necessary lows be passed li.e.s in putting
the proper people in office. It is our privilege and our.duty and we
ought to use it.
Editor.
SO I UNDERSTAND Prom a Service Man
Dear Feople;
It's nice to hear from some of you after such a long perJ
pf time, hut it is unpleasant to-leacn of your qhonge in conditions
of’'living, 'which'I can'readily' xinderstand from the'change of my own con
dition'*
It's too bad you are limited In the use of your auto. I know how it I.e
to walU through miles and miles of swamp and muddy country. So I under
stand. '
It’s too bad you are limited in your choice of goods. I have experienr
that too, except that there is no-choice here. So I understand* •
Tt's too bad Willie has to work so many hours a day at the defense
plant.- I:-hifive to work night, as well as day at our defense plant. So* I
understand. .
It's too bad Willie has such little time for amusements, I am deprive?
of amusemen ts, too. So I understand.
It's too bad ;you have to wait in the rain for transportation, I h .ve
to wait in the rain on my post 'and transportation--and destination— Is
Cont. on pp, 5