By JOAN KENT | La Farge
Letter to Bernie supporters who may sit out this election or vote for a third-party candidate:
Please don’t throw away your vote. I understand your frustration and desire for a better system, but not following Bernie’s advice to support Hillary will not accomplish anything you want. History speaks: In 2000, votes for Ralph Nader resulted in George W. Bush getting elected over Al Gore. We would be much further along in addressing climate change if Gore had won.
You don’t want to wake up Nov. 9 looking at a triumphant Trump and fearing the harm to this country and the world you had a part in allowing.
If you sit out the election, you’ll also throw away the opportunity to vote on the “down-ticket” races — Russ Feingold for U.S. Senate, Jennifer Shilling for state Senate, and Democrats who will work in the Assembly to turn this state back to the Wisconsin we knew and loved.
In the 96th, that’s Alicia Leinberger, Viroqua resident and owner of a solar company who’s running for the first time because she’s so concerned about issues including decreased funding for public schools, loss of local control and unheeded damage to our water and land.
The 96th incumbent, Lee Nerison, calls himself a moderate and claims to have voted for the interests of his constituents, but on so many issues, including public school funding, campaign funding disclosure, and deep-water well regulation, he’s ignored us to vote lock-step with the Walker administration and fellow travelers.
People have died so you can vote. Don’t disrespect them by not voting, and have a clear understanding of the consequences of your ballot.
