Would you deride the efforts of a veteran? Someone you knew who fought overseas to defend America’s national interests, preserve its freedom and ensure that future generations had the opportunity to excel?

Would you turn your back on them?

Ignore the fact that they may have watched their best friends die on a foreign battlefield, a jungle, a beach, a Prisoner of War camp?

Could you look into their eyes see the pain they endured and not care?

Probably not.

But some of you did the equivalent on Sept. 17 when you failed to exercise your right and duty as a legal American citizen and didn’t vote.

Some of you decided to take your basic freedoms for granted that day by not going to the polls. Some of you made the choice even earlier and inexcusably forgot or refused to turn in your absentee ballots.

Alas, not many decisions were made in the September primary… you may think.

In North Kitsap alone, a call for two permanent Emergency Medical Services levies failed — a fact that will cost you, the taxpayers money, as the Poulsbo Fire Department and North Kitsap Fire & Rescue now seek lesser six-year levies in November.

On the state front, a democratic candidate was chosen to face Rep. Bev Woods for her 23rd District seat in the House.

Yeah, probably no reason to vote at all.

In Kitsap County, one of the closest treasurer races in recent history is still coming down to the wire as Paulette Alvarado and Barbara Stephenson vie for the position.

Primary voters decided this one. Everyone else opted not to use their voice and speak their minds.

It’s a sad day in North Kitsap.

Consider this:

If the government decreed voting illegal, would you balk? Would you rise up?

Take arms?

Would you cry tyranny?

Or would you do what about 70 percent of Kitsap County did on Sept. 17?

Nothing.