Right after U.S. Rep. Gifford’s office had just been bashed in, she was asked if she were afraid. In response she said these words: “ No, I am not afraid.” Our democracy is a beacon around the world. We affect change not by these violent outbursts but at the ballot.”

In the past year several politicians depicted violence against Gifford using gun imagery in their attempts to gain political power. Last June Gifford’s opponent invited people to join him shooting an M-16 rifle with the focus of his event to “remove Gifford” from office. This was completely unacceptable. Another politician created a political ad that included cross hairs of a gun siting and used the words “reloading” while specifically naming Gifford as well as targeting several other elected officials in efforts to defeat them.

Such actions are destructive of democracy, incite violence and are morally wrong. Do your part. Write to those persons and insist they publicly apologize and stop this behavior. We need to reclaim democracy. Our leaders represent us. They are in power because we put them there. Threats to our democratically elected leaders are unacceptable.

What kind of world do we want for us, our children, our grandchildren? Are our leaders representing positive influences? If not, We The People need to stand up and say something to them. It’s our civic responsibility. “Our democracy is a beacon around the world.” It is precious. Do your part to keep it that way.

Melissa Duffy

Oak Harbor