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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Feb. 1 MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 1, 2016 @ 12:01 am Posted Feb. 1, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Older voters have failed In recent years only 20 percent of eligible voters in the 18-29 age bracket have voted. In contrast, 54 percent of voters aged 55 to 64 voted, while senior turnout is approximately 61 percent. Career politicians are keenly aware of voting demographics and tailor their agendas to serve and listen only to the plaints of those who do vote. As life expectancy is far greater for the 18-29 age bracket, that group should be keenly aware that their lives will be greatly affected by enacted legislation and administrative decisions issuing currently from Congress long after the present-day voters who elected them have departed the scene. By not participating fully in the political process, the interests and issues of importance to the group are neglected. Cynically said, “If you don’t vote you don’t count.” The current Congress serves as proof that the older group of voters, in mindlessly reelecting this dysfunctional, bribe-taking group a whopping 95 percent of the time, have failed abysmally. Party loyalty has encouraged this nonsense. Recently a virulent repository of hate and racism in our nation has been exposed by the emergence of a bullying demagogue. Perhaps the “youngsters” can still save us — from ourselves. Robert Warren Medford Support climate bill In a recent survey of 395 economists with climate expertise, 77 percent said the U.S. should cut its emissions even if other countries don’t. A further 18 percent said that if other countries will cut their emissions, the U.S. should also. Asked what would be the most economically efficient method, 81 percent specified a greenhouse gas emissions tax or a cap-and-trade system. These methods are market-based, rather than regulatory. The Oregon Legislature will be considering a cap-and-trade bill this month called the “Healthy Climate Bill”. It is modeled on the highly successful California program and is similar to the equally successful program operating in several eastern states known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. It will result in healthier Oregonians and a protected environment. Please let Oregon state legislators know that this bill should be passed. For more information on the bill and to find out what action you can take to support it, please visit http://socan.info/healthy-climate-bill . Ken Deveney Ashland Tired of Pitts Is anyone else tired of Leonard Pitts columns? Has he ever written a column that wasn't race-based? If so it's been so long I don't remember, and I've been a MT subscriber for over 20 years and read the opinion pages daily. Perhaps his columns are needed in certain cities to rabble-rouse. I enjoy differing opinions on many subjects but the same theme every time with nothing new or constructive isn't worth reading. Pat Butler Medford Think about it My thoughts for this insane presidential election year are the best outcome would be for Hillary Clinton to get elected because then, Bill would be president again and, not counting his deplorable morals, to which he holds no monopoly in this country or the world, he was the last good president we had who ended his term with no deficits, no wars, no deployments, not bad! And now with Mrs. Palin on deck, the GOP race is turning into Comedy Central. Think about it! M.B. Wingfield Jacksonville MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 1, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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