Our lost republic

I am awed by the reported 50 voters who participated in the Greene local elections. The citizen apathy is obvious, even though there appeared to be no candidate oppositions to the positions open.

Are Maine citizens so apathetic that they cannot stop by the polls to be a part of citizen participation required to make this once-great country functional?

It appears that no one cares, even down to the local level. It is this apathy that created the scenario that led to the debacle of our financial meltdown, as elected politicians have long realized that the citizens are asleep, ignorant or uncaring. This apathy leads to the shenanigans where government officials told lenders to lend to those who had no intention or way to pay back their loans.

Our founders meant for citizen participation. That is why Benjamin Franklin said when asked at the signing of the Constitution, “What have we got — a republic or a monarchy?” he replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

The gimme attitude that pervades our society is part of this apathy. Being too busy to participate in elections is the forerunner of a lost republic. Those who choose not to vote should never complain about taxes or any government cost issue.

To vote is an obligation. Once given up, citizens become the slaves of government. What a waste of a once great country.

As Pogo said, "We have met the enemy and it is us."

George A. Fogg, North Yarmouth