Importance of Voting

I read with great interest the column written by Angela Suh (“Thanks for Everything, Bob Packwood,” Commentary, Sept. 20) and was greatly amused by the fact that this seemingly educated young person has yet to vote in any election, other than during her days in high school.

This frightening scenario seems to be commonplace among our youth of today, yet like Suh they seem to be quite vocal about issues. Who can forget the rally in Los Angeles during the Proposition 187 protest in which thousands of young people marched in the streets.

My suggestion to Suh and everyone else in this position: Read newspapers, watch the news and become involved. Write your representatives and voice your concerns. And the most important of all, vote! We can’t continue to let complacency rule along with the excuse that every person who holds public office is dishonest. This “I don’t care” or “What can I do?” attitude is what has gotten us in the position we are in today, and it’s going to take the young generation helping to get us out.

EDWIN WILSON

Covina

* Suh’s article challenged her audience not to find flaws in her argument, but to find a single flawless utterance. The pop culture metaphors and streetwise expressions failed to support her partisan notion that the outcome of the Packwood scandal somehow restores legitimacy to politics, a realm where accusations of unethical behavior are as politically motivated as indictments.

She would do well to objectively call to mind such counter-factuals as Sen. Ted Kennedy and President Clinton, although doing so would undermine her liberal Democratic bias.

ERIC STAAL

Santa Barbara

* Suh is just the type of liberal I like--one who doesn’t vote. Keep up the good work, Angela, and tell your friends.

MARK A. MUCKENTHALER

San Juan Capistrano