Eastonites Cast Their Votes at Staples

Eastonites are taking time out of their days to cast their votes, beginning at 6 a.m. "I think it's very important [to vote] especially in this election," said Easton resident Leona Attenberg, who visited the polls at Samuel Staples Elementary School this morning. She voted because she said she is concerned about medical costs.

"I think as a senior citizen I am very aware of having a pre-existing condition that will affect my insurance rates. The rates keep going up and up," she said. "And as somebody on a fixed income, it's very difficult for us to survive and keep our houses with the rising cost also of energy. Oil and the electric rates are ridiculous, and I don't think the Republicans are our answer."

Attenberg said she split her votes between parties. "I just don't feel that people who have no knowledge of the workings of Washington can do anything to change it any," she said.

Easton resident Phyllis Machledt said she came in support of Democrats and health care reform. "It's not perfect, but it's a start and it. ... I think it's the right thing to do for the country," she said.

Machledt added that people who complain about issues should offer some solutions.

"I get very upset with people that complain but have no positive answers. ... We have to come together; we have to listen to each other. The lack of civility in this campaign has been terrible—I'm just really not happy with it," said Machledt, a former Easton school board member. "We have to learn to respect people's ideas and work together for the good of the community, not just for the good of the party or the good of you personally. And that's what too many people are concerned about—their own personal issues. And they're not willing to listen to what may be good for the entire community."

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