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To the Editor:

Sandwiched between Abraham Lincoln and George Washington’s birthdays, Presidents’ Day acknowledges the sacrifice and commitment of the men who have served in that office and guided our nation to where it is today. We know that they could not have done it alone.

The League of Women Voters is dedicated to encouraging public participation at all levels of government. We recognize the pressures our leaders face every day they hold office, and we celebrate their achievements. We also take this day to give distinguished recognition to the voting public that elects our leaders and guides them as they govern.

Our leaders do not operate in a vacuum. In our cities, states and nation, our government is designed to respond to the will of the people. We elect leaders not to do as they think best for us, but to represent our interests and our needs.  To do this, they need to hear our voices.

As citizens in a democratic system, we possess full rights to rule ourselves through the electoral process and through ongoing communication with our leaders. Today, we note the responsibility of citizens to make sound judgments and to share ideas and concerns with their representatives. And we mark the responsibility of those representatives to listen.

The League of Women Voters supports an open government and an informed and active citizenship. We advocate for policies that increase transparency and create a more responsive, responsible government. We were thrilled that the governor and the legislature came together to pass bipartisan ethics reform last month. We look forward to seeing comprehensive campaign finance reform follow soon.

In communications with our members and the public, we disseminate voter and issue information, providing the tools for knowledgeable civic participation. Our voter guide for the statewide Supreme Court race is now available on our website (www.lwvwi.org). Between now and the April 3 general election, local Leagues around the state will be publishing voter guides for local races in their communities.

On Presidents’ Day we recognize the role each president and every political leader plays in shaping our nation. Every other day of the year, we encourage and celebrate the role every citizen can play in directing our leaders.

Sincerely,
Melanie Ramey, President
League of Women Voters of Wisconsin

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