LABELING VOTERS

To the editor:

In response to John L. Smith's Aug. 11 column, "Dispute over police
group's stance on marijuana initiative stirs the pot":

Mr. Smith insulted our democratic traditions by stating, "History will
note that Campaign 2002 was decided by the potheads and
homophobes."

Labeling any voter is an insult. Individuals vote for various reasons,
and they should not be labeled merely because an initiative has
captured their interest enough that they come out and vote for or
against it. We have too many apathetic voters, especially when many
feel that their vote does not count, and campaigns have become so
divisive that few will pay attention to them.

I believe that when an initiative attracts voters, the state of the
union is in good shape. It makes me believe that Americans still have
faith in the democratic system. Individuals like Mr. Smith, who label
voters, only damage this faith.

Tracy DiFillippo,

Carson City