Editor:

I lived in Los Alamos for some years, a town not without its faults, but a town that takes representative democracy seriously and responsibilities of citizenship seriously. The town had a non-partisan county council that always knew they were being carefully watched by the voters.

Partisan politics were minimal and council members knew they had better represent the voters - not necessarily their own views. Based on that experience, I was particularly appalled to read in The Observer that Kevin Johnson had left the mayor's race because of misconduct toward him and his family by others and because he felt he could not overcome partisan politics. This seems to be a message that politicians are only permitted, from the view of some, to represent a narrow range of views, not necessarily the views of the majority of the people of the community - after all, the backbone of our system of government in this wonderful nation.

While I do not know Jackson and may or may not have voted for him, what concerns me is the view that seems to exist that says, "Well, we see this guy as a threat, so we're going to do everything we can to shut him out before he even runs for election. After all, he might just win."

There is an old saying that, in a democracy, people get the government they deserve. If the people of Rio Rancho allow this to happen - the people of Los Alamos would not - then we have no right to complain that we are not being represented by the mayor or council.

Kathleene Parker

Rio Rancho