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Dear Editor, My grandmother, a first generation American, was what many would call a closet conservative. She believed deeply in her values but felt it was safer to keep them to herself. She came from a time when speaking out had consequences. But we have seen where silence leads. It allows those values to be pushed aside, little by little, until they are no longer defended.

Dear Editor, Every progressive Democrat believes gerrymandering is evil. Donald Trump does not agree with us so he ordered Texas to gerrymander halfway between the normal redistricting calendar and give him five extra Republican districts without giving voters a chance to weigh in. Democrats fight fire with fire. But, in Virginia, we are asking voters to decide whether we should fight fire with fire. On April 21, Virginia voters can go to the polls and VOTE YES to fight back, countering Texas with a onetime temporary law change to allow us to pick up four Democratic seats in the 2026 General Election. Afterwards, we revert to our usual process. A democratic process that seems to find no support from Republicans. -Butch Foutz, Ebb Tide Beach