Show of force

We are at a turning point as a nation and as a community. With so many critical issues facing us, it was good to see Montrose voters turn out in record fashion at Super Tuesday’s caucuses.

At the area Republican caucuses, 686 votes were cast, including an overflowing crowd of 530 people at Northside Elementary. The 530 figure was nearly 2 1/2 times more than the 2004 caucus, according to Montrose County Republican Committee Chair Mark Young.

The Democratic caucuses also saw record crowds show up, which is impressive given the large Republican base of this county. According to Democratic Central Committee Chair Randy See, the 422 votes cast in Tuesday’s caucus were the highest turnout to date in Montrose County. To put it in perspective, only 50 attended the 2004 Democratic caucus.

It was certainly a positive show of force and is a credit to voters who are concerned about the future of our country, our state and our community.

As a community, we are dealing with issues of growth. Nationwide, as well as statewide, the issues  of immigration, the war in Iraq, and the state of the economy are hot button topics our future leaders will have to somehow resolve.

Given the importance of these issues, it makes it that much more crucial to get people into office who can best help us navigate toward a positive future not only for ourselves, but for future generations.

The turnout in Montrose and across the country Tuesday is a testament to just how important the 2008 election has become. And if you haven’t gotten involved yet, now is the time to do so.

Sir Francis Bacon once said knowledge is power, and the more knowledge voters have about the 2008 candidates at all levels, the better off we’ll be as a nation, and as a community.