To the editor:

The 99 Percent movement claims that the odds are stacked against them — that life is unfair because those that have, don’t share enough with those who don’t.

They say our politicians don’t care about them. They say we need to do something about the unfairness in our system.

Well, on Tuesday, April 3, you had your chance. It was Election Day and only 13 percent showed up.

The United States of America has a representative form of government and this was your chance to choose the people that you want to represent you.

How can you possibly complain when you didn’t even show up to vote?

The political discourse in this country doesn’t just exist in Washington, D.C. I’m amazed at all the potshots and personal attacks that are aimed at candidates for local elections.

Having worked on my daughter’s campaign for school board, I can attest that I found them to be distasteful and unnecessary.

We owe a great deal of gratitude to all of the candidates that stepped up to serve.

They all worked hard to be your voice, and they are all patriots for doing so.

My advice to all of you on the sidelines complaining about the way things are is to get involved in a positive way. Simply taking shots from the sidelines is not going to change anything.

If you really want to change things, you need to pay attention to the issues and select candidates that represent your view. If you want them elected, you need to work for them, contribute your time or money to them and work a poll for them on Election Day.

Most importantly — vote for them. This is how you make a difference.

It’s been said that decisions are made by those who show up. Where were you?

Jim Murphy

Oakville

Editor’s note: Mr. Murphy’s daughter is Kathleen Eardley, who was elected last week to the Mehlville Board of Education.