To the editor:

In the Aug. 11 letter to the editor from Louise and Allan Hanson, wherein they believe that “democracy is in serious trouble” in Lawrence when the City Commission approved the proposal for the new Wal-Mart. This was done over the sentiments of the audience and a petition requesting that this decision be put to a referendum.

In fact, the Hansons were witnesses to democracy in action as framed by our Constitution when we were established as a republic. Voters perform their democratic duties when they vote for representatives to represent them, and in turn, these representatives vote to enact laws on the voters’ behalf.

If every person in Lawrence, either in person or by petition, denoted their disapproval of this Wal-Mart, and the City Commission still approved it, then it would be built. Of course, in that circumstance, Wal-Mart would decide to not locate here. However, the actual voters for Wal-Mart shall be the future customers who shall be voting with their dollars, of which Wal-Mart is certain.

Another lesson of democracy in action was when two city commissioners who voted against this proposal the first time were replaced with pro-growth commissioners. Representative government – not anarchy.

Richard M. Hassur,

Lawrence