Get involved if you want to ‘ drain the swamp’

We have witnessed a phenomenon not seen since the days of the Richard Nixon Administration. Millions of people have been taking to the streets to demonstrate against or formany different issues. Millions of people have taken to calling and emailing members of Congress to voice support or opposition to legislation being debated. Some have lamented this as “obstructionism” and others as “resistance.” In actuality, it is neither; it is howa representative democracy was designed towork.

When the Constitution was written, our right to petition the government was provided for. Itwas decided that a representative democracy could only work if citizens were allowed to speak with their elected officials and communicate their thoughts on issues being decided.

These “activist” citizens are modeling how democracy is intended to work. Good citizenship does not include just showing up to vote on election day, but requires actively participating in the process of governance. This means informing yourself of the issues and regularly contacting your elected officials. By doing this, you will have a government that is truly representative, less influenced by special interests and you will drain the swamp

The United States needs more activism, not less.

Bill Becker, Roscoe

Quit giving taxpayer money away

Another police shooting and the offender’s family becomes rich overnight. A judge turned in a gun that was never destroyed and later found by the side of a habitual criminal. This 22- year- old Latin Counts gang member was shot by a Cicero police officer after he allegedly pointed the weapon at a police officer responding to a call of a gang fight. The investigation by the Illinois State Police determined that the officer acted properly. The Cicero Township agreed to pay this gang member’s family $ 3.5 million.

Either the officer was right or hewas wrong. If he was wrong, indict him, charge him. If he was right, don’t give taxpayer money away. Fight it. Counter sue. Quit giving our tax money away.

Larry Casey, Forest Glen

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