When catching up on reading the TR last weekend, the large print headline on the editorial page of the Feb. 15 issue quickly caught my attention. My reaction was “Yes, yes maintaining a democracy is not a spectator sport.” As I read the article, my first response was very different from Steve Corbin’s. Government takeover happens when it silences the people. For a democracy to continue, people need to speak up. My list would be:

Life is precious from conception till natural death.

The nuclear family is the backbone of a healthy society.

Religious freedom should not be disturbed by government spying.

Children are a gift and should be protected from abuse and inappropriate age material.

People should feed the poor as Jesus commanded.

Keep these principles in mind when you vote.