I would like to add my opinion to the countless opinions on what happened last week during the double SNAFU of the traffic debacle and the Virginia Primary State Board of Election decisions that were made that ultimately caused the three people in our car pool to miss exercising our right to vote.
First, before we entirely put the blame on the Virginia Department of Transportation for the traffic — and surely they deserve blame — let us not forget that some of the traffic woes happened because of the selfishness and rudeness of people in traffic jams.
There were countless intersections blocked by these thoughtless drivers both on Route 1 and also on North and South Washington Streets in Alexandria by those who were in their own little selfish world. Right turns and through traffic lanes were blocked at the intersection of S Washington and Cameron by cars having gone through red lights and therefore unable to move through the intersection, thus making progress towards the George Washington Parkway virtually impossible. It was quite frustrating sitting through traffic light cycles over 30 times and not moving, burning gas and fraying nerves.
Enough about traffic. Now on to a more frustrating situation — the lack of action by the bureaucracy responsible for making the decision about extending hours for the polls to be open in Virginia. We heard many excuses on the radio. First, one of the candidates had to ask for polls to be kept open. Second, senior election officials had to be involved, no matter that the decision to keep the polls open was not made.
Given all this, the traffic SNAFU, the rude and selfish drivers in their own little worlds, VDOT’s inaction or lack of foresight, or all of the above, I feel the most frustration at not being able to vote in the Virginia primary. Just a thought.
RAYMOND R. BROWN
Lake Ridge
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