Back-seat drivers can’t complain

In reading Bruce Ramsey’s column [“Even if you didn’t vote, you still have a right to complain,” Opinion, Nov. 7], I can’t help but think of how many people in other countries don’t have that right and what they wouldn’t give to just exercise that right — to vote.

How flippant of him to dismiss the opportunity and duty in the country to do so? Ramsey cites that his aunt was a well-educated woman, yet didn’t take the initiative to educate herself about the candidates so as to make an informed choice and, yes, vote.

So, no, Ramsey, if you don’t make the effort to become informed and vote, you become the “back-seat driver” without the right to complain — rather the complaints should be directed toward those who don’t participate.

There is one thing, however, that I do agree with him: He does have the right to complain about his choice in the 2000 election.

— Miriam Goldstein, Medina