Reply #7: With a mixture of pity and disgust.

[Lancer]

Those of us who care about the political process and the government that evolves from it know that without them, we

• will not have access to public schools
• cannot be assured of our safety on bridges and highways
• cannot obtain a driver's license or title to a car, much less be assured of the safety of that vehicle
• cannot be assured of the sanitation in restaurants
• cannot obtain low-interest college loans
• cannot be assured of the security of our bank accounts
• cannot be assured of the purity of vaccinations for our children
• cannot rely on the safety of children's toys or sleepwear
• cannot obtain a hunting or fishing license
• will expect Veterans to fend for themselves medically, financially and psychologically
• cannot receive disability payments, or minimal financial security in old age
• cannot be assured our drinking water isn't full of lethal poisons
• would not be able to enjoy Yellowstone, the Great Smokies, Cape Hatteras or any of dozens of other National and Historical Parks

For those who say none of these issues, or any of the thousands of others that our elected representatives decide matter to them and their daily lives, I say, "fine. Stay home. Lucky for you, these services will be available to you—at least in the short run—despite your ignorance and disinterest in the process."