Politics is a term and function that started many centuries ago, a Greek term and influence at the start of our Western Culture.
Politics persists today.
A quality assessment depends upon interests.
Politics will be with us as long as governments exist with potential changes and predominant factions.
Problems develop when differences of opinions are not respected, when information is incomplete, and individuals involved do not respect legitimate differences of opinions.
Each in a discussion may have secured valid points. Problems may arise when one, or, both in a discussion work harder than necessary to convince other persons and seeks to so-called win the discussion.
Each has a right to an opinion. We must offer respect. Vote count and the ballot box is the best way for a democracy to function. In this country we all must have respect for democracy. That lofty goal must be our goals, as difficult as they are to respect.
Our future depends on respect, self-determination, honest efforts, understanding issues, introspection, being well-informed, and wishing well those who may have decidedly different opinions.
Important items which did not find space in the other pages in this week’s edition of The Voice, but, which deserve space:
• Little lead time finds Thursday, Aug. 25 celebration of National Dog Day.
• Another Thursday, Aug. 25 is the “Time and Talent Show in St. Charles held by the St. Charles Arts Council at the Pottawatomie Park Pavilion from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to support an advocacy for art and cultural organizations.
• August 25 is the beginning of applications in Aurora for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Quality of Life Grant (QOL). The deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. Many hundreds of cities use the grants for city improvements. Aurora uses grants to assist low- to moderate- income residents by offering basic needed services. Applications are available online at www.aurora-il.org/1175/Community-Development. Job training, disability services, homelessness prevention and intervention are parts of the program.
• Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, 1110 Jericho Road in Aurora, will hold a new-volunteer open house from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12. The public is invited. Work teams, questions, and a drawing will be included on the day.
• Food pantries and assistance are helpful to residents in many counties in our region. Among them include Loaves and Fishes in both Naperville and Aurora, Marie Wilkinson in Aurora, and Holy Angels in Aurora. Volunteers, paid assistants, and contributions make food pantries successful. They do not need to be silent, rather visible to those who need a hand up.
• The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton will continue its Date With History series. The acclaimed author Carlos Harrison will be the feature at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 1.
• The City of Aurora’s Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board advises that the Fiestas Patrias Festival will return September 17-18 after a two-year hiatus.