Joan Schramm
St. Joseph
I love words. I love to read them and write them. I read two to three books a week and I still pick up a pen and write letters. When I write anything I try to find the perfect word to express what I’m feeling.
As I read a book, there are times the author writes something that goes against my belief system. Sometimes when I read something on the opinion page of the Newsleader it goes against my belief system.
Is someone forcing me to change my belief system? Is someone forcing me to accept what they wrote? Is someone forcing me to even read their words? My answer to all these questions is NO!
I have written three rather liberal “letters to the editor” and, like a columnist, I wasn’t trying to force you to agree with what I wrote. I did, however, check the next edition of the Newsleader to see if someone with an opposing view took the time and effort to write and submit a letter to the editor, which also would have been published.
Think about it. We live in a democracy, and because we do, no one can force us to accept their belief system. Now think about this. In a democracy, people can express their belief system using words and that’s exactly what a columnist does or what I do when I write a letter to the editor.
If you want to be represented, take the time and write a letter. Don’t worry about other members of the community because they can write their own letter if they want to be heard. Be smart and put your words into print so everyone knows how you feel.
I love words.
