TO THE EDITOR:
Beginning in preschool, our children wear bulletproof backpacks and practice “active shooter drills.” They are instructed to hide and be very quiet “so the bad man won’t get you!” Talk about a child’s nightmare! Nevermind monsters under the bed!
And then it still happens! More than 311,000 students have experienced the trauma of gun violence in school since Columbine in 1999. One hundred eighty-five students and educators have been killed and 369 injured.
The Republicans’ response is not commonsense gun safety to eliminate the man with the assault rifle, but hiring more armed security personnel, giving teachers weapons and further “hardening” the schools to turn them into armed fortresses.
Children learn, grow and develop healthy relationships, self-confidence and self-esteem in safe, secure and loving environments free from fear. School as a war zone creates a sense that the world is not a safe place. The resulting chronic stress affects child development and behavior and has the potential for far-reaching psychological effects.
The kids are not alright.
Cynthia Muse
Rye
TO THE EDITOR:
As a recent retiree, I now have time to be a poll worker.
It is an honor.
I can only speak to the process I personally experienced. Everyone connected with the election realized we were stewards of an awesome legacy. Poll workers were required to attend two hours of training, learning routines and becoming prepared for exceptional circumstances. We took our oath of office, recognizing its weight.
On Election Day, floaters in every room helped as needed. Voters proceeded in the assurance that each vote mattered. As we voted or enabled the voting, we rededicated ourselves to democracy.
Governor Sununu has announced “New Hampshire is the gold standard” in elections. So why is there a Special Committee on Voter Confidence? Their website states, “New Hampshire is one of the easiest places for voters to register and cast their ballots, but concerns about declining voter confidence have been voiced in the state, as well as nationally.”
How can such doubt exist? Lies about stolen elections and bad machines have influenced public opinion.
There is no evidence of bad actors in our election process, except those who want to change the outcome by any means necessary. Do not allow this “misinformation” to poison our faith in New Hampshire elections.
Please send a quick email to VoterConfidence@sos.nh.gov Let the special committee know you admire the integrity of elections in your community. What needs fixing? The ability of citizens to believe rumors, contrary to their own experience! Become a poll worker and see for yourself.
Susan F. Richman
Durham
