Voting is an imperfect solution to the selection of our government leaders, however, it is the best method available to us. A monarchy, oligarchy, or autocracy, are not advisable choices for our so-called democratic republic. It easily could slip into any of the first three without vigilance. Political power can be corrupting. If we are too busy to pay attention, or, think others will be on guard for us, only complications and problems would be generated for us.
Voting is not a clear cut solution. It just is the best way to make our political leaders understand we are watching. At least vote in the general election and certainly make choices in community elections. Yes, all politics are local. Be community-minded and civic-minded. The Illinois Primary Election will be March 17. South Carolina will be Saturday, Feb. 29. There will be 15 states voting in Super Tuesday March 3.
While we are at it, we should understand the benefits of responding to the U.S. Census, held every 10 years. The next opportunity will not be until 2030. Financial benefits to communities are at stake. Yes, be counted!
Other notes to reach the light of day:
• We cherish the organizations which send in information to be included in The Voice. We want to present the best possible reflection of and information about our communities. Send early and often. We receive more information than we can fit each week. Some valuable pieces of information, unfortunately, are left out. We try to rotate to give everybody a turn. Just sending in information is not a direct relationship to what is included each week.
• Beatles’ fans would be interested in the tribute to the group, in a musical biography through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein. It will be at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, in Elgin, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4. The Beatles first came to the Ed Sullivan Show in New York City in February 1964.
Friends of the Fox River (FOFR) will be host to Art Malm at the Schweitzer Center, 16N900 Sleepy Hollow Road in West Dundee. He will examine the negative impacts of dams on the Fox ecosystem.
Clear and concise, week eight:
• Advocate is a noun and not a verb, although usage in the last 15 years may have us think otherwise. We are an advocate, we do not advocate.
• Simply: Do not end a sentence in a preposition..
• Putting modifiers in the correct order: Wrong: I have continually been impressed. Do not separate have and been. Correct: I continually have been impressed.