Editor:
On a business trip, my son met and married a young lady from Vietnam about a year and a half ago. My son began the process of immigrating his wife to the United States to become an American citizen.
To make a long story short, the National Visa Center told us that all of the required paperwork was completed, all requirements have been met and she was eligible for her exit interview. She was denied her request to leave Vietnam by the American Consulate because of a “missing IRS form.”
No such form was mentioned in the requirement list by the National Visa Center. The IRS also did not know of such a form. The bureaucratic red tape was impossible. Well, here is the happy ending.
We called U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio and Sen. Ron Wyden. Their staff of experts had the matter cleared up in a few days. Our daughter-in-law is now on her way to her new home here in this, the greatest country on the planet.
We, the voters, along with the caliber of people that we elect are what make this country great. Our elected leaders, like Rep. DeFazio and Sen. Wyden, work tirelessly on behalf of their constituents to make our system work for the people of this great country.
My wife and I are proud to brag that we have voted in every election since we were 21 years old (the voting age in the ’50s). We were taught it was a duty and a privilege, not just something that you did if it was convenient and if you had a little extra time.
Oregon elected leaders have worked hard to initiate the best voting system in the United States. Our vote-by-mail system is simple. Even a caveman can do it. It’s convenient, easy, non-intrusive, private and inexpensive. It is as fraud-proof as it can possibly be.
In short, there is no excuse for not voting. Tear yourself away from the TV, take a few minutes to study the voter pamphlet and vote.
You will be glad you did and pleased with yourself.
Orville Milburn
Sweet Home