IT’S YOUR WRITE
George Braun Johnsburg
Automatic voter registration
To the Editor: As mentioned in the article “At Illinois General Assembly, Obama issues an appeal for political unity,” the president outlined how to build better politics in Springfield. A key step is to make voting easier for citizens. Our current registration system is outdated, inefficient and prone to error. For instance, more than 1 million eligible voters were turned away at the polls in the last presidential election because of errors in their registration forms. By switching to a system of automatic voter registration, we can eliminate a timely and wasteful bureaucratic process. This would allow more voices to be heard across party lines, as well as save a significant amount of taxpayer dollars. President Barack Obama is urging state legislators to “make the Land of Lincoln a leader in voter participation.” We now have the opportunity to set the bar for other states across the country, thanks to Sen. Andy Manar and Rep. Robyn Gabel, who have sponsored bills to automatically register eligible voters through interactions with government offices. As an Illinois resident, I agree with Obama that now is the time to compro-
Heather Dube Chicago
Wilbeck would be an asset
To the Editor: I have known Tom Wilbeck for 30 years as a friend in personal and business matters. He is above board in all respects and would be a great asset to the County Board. I wish him the best in being elected to the County Board. The county will not be disappointed. Paul V. Finamore Chicago
Calomino’s principled leadership
To the Editor: I’ve watched Joe Calomino professionally and personally for more than 10 years. While never holding elected office, he does have a proven track record. Joe spent 22-plus years working behind the scenes, fighting successfully for fewer taxes and smaller, more accountable government. As a state director for a government watchdog organization, Joe worked against the odds to pass legislation on behalf of taxpayers. Joe’s fights against special interest groups and a lawsuit against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich were remarkable. I believe Joe’s record of accomplishments and work as a government watchdog uniquely qualifies him to address the issues facing the County Board, while, at the same time, fighting on behalf of taxpayers. Calomino’s courage and independence in challenging the status quo earned him widespread recognition. Joe will bring honest and principled leadership to the county. I urge the voters in District 5 to vote for Joe Calomino. Bryan Javor Cary
Research your citations
To the Editor: Quotations attributed to both worshiped and reviled people have been used throughout written history in an attempt to strengthen arguments from all facets of the political spectrum. To use supposed quotations and not expect the general public to know the
27 HOW TO SOUND OFF We welcome original letters on public issues. Letters must include the author’s full name, home address and day and evening telephone numbers. We limit letters to 250 words and one published letter every 30 days. Election-related letters are limited to 150 words. The deadline to submit an election-related letter is 5 p.m.
actual truth behind the referenced quote – as a recent Northwest Herald letter writer attempted to do – simply weakens the writer’s argument. The first quote the writer attempts to attribute to Adolph Hitler – “Make the lie big ...” – is a bastardization of a section in Hitler’s Mein Kampf, where Hitler is accusing the Jews of feeding the German people a big lie but that he, Hitler, saw through the “big lie.” Hitler never proposed using the “big lie” even though folks on the left and right attribute it to him. Here he is simply justifying his anti-Semitism. The second quote – “This year will go down in history ...” – is a common quote to trump out in support of Second Amendment gun rights. However, there are no published works of Hitler that the writer or anyone else can point to where he actually wrote or spoke these words. Restrictions on gun ownership in Germany actually were initiated shortly after World War I by Allies in the Treaty of Versailles. These restrictions were reversed in 1928. The Nazis did impose gun/weapons control in 1938, but only for Jewish citizens, and vastly liberalized gun ownership for all other Germans. My main point is research your citations so as not to weaken your argument. Timothy Knutsen Crystal Lake
Still great kindness
To the Editor: On Feb. 10, my mother and I experienced two random acts of kindness at Outback in Crystal Lake. One fed our stomachs (literally); both fed our souls. Just after we sat down, a couple at a nearby table handed us two $10 off bonus cards; they had four, but could only use two per the rules. Since the other two would expire that night, they didn’t want to waste them. In the end, the cards covered more than half our bill. We thanked them profusely, and they wished us a wonderful dinner as they
March 9. All letters are subject to editing for length and clarity at the sole discretion of the editor. Submit letters by: • Email: letters@nwherald.com • Mail: Northwest Herald “It’s Your Write” Box 250 Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0250
departed. Our attention then was drawn to a neighboring table, where an adult grandson was having dinner with his grandparents. He quietly and proficiently cared for them without fuss or fanfare. He cut up his grandmother’s steak when she was unable to manage it, sliding it back to her with a smile. All through the meal, he was patient, respectful and good-humored. When they finished, he guided them, both with walkers, to the door. Our hearts soared at having witnessed such a loving act of grace. I know the world is a scary place right now. The relentless daily parade of bad news is enough to dishearten anyone. But there is still great kindness in the world, and that is what we must always remember. Tamara Reed Woodstock
Hubbard can make impact
To the Editor: Cameron Hubbard is an active and engaged board member – on the Crystal Lake City Council and the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Foundation. As a foundation board member, too, I know Cameron is on several committees, and, as such, I discuss scholarships, internships and career exploration opportunities for young people and local businesses in the McHenry County area with Cameron to get his insight. Cameron always is helpful and often offers solutions, opportunities or a new perspective. Cameron has a keen vision on how McHenry County can be a better place to live and raise your children. I recommend you vote for Cameron Hubbard for District 2 on the McHenry County Board, as he can make a positive impact on many lives in McHenry County moving forward. Victoria M. Summers Crystal Lake
• Saturday, February 20, 2016
To the Editor: Voters must reassess the posturing of current elective levels. We can add new qualifications to engage talent already there. Consider Craig Wilcox of McHenry and a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Johnsburg for that mission. I met Craig a few years ago and invited him to speak at the Johnsburg riverside ceremony on Memorial Day. Since then, I have come to know his sincere desire to make a contribution to his retirement destination where his extended family has longtime roots. Col. Craig Wilcox, U.S. Air Force retired, is the title that defines the experience at higher levels of responsibility and knowledge relating to that of the oversight responsibilities of the County Board. He has had the experience of critical, intermediate level hands-on operational responsibility and is aware of the requirement of administrative processes involved in government. He brings an open-minded understanding of county jurisdictional responsibilities and local business operations.
mise and improve our democracy. Let’s take the president’s suggestion and support automatic voter registration as Illinoisans – young and old, men and women, Democrat and Republican.
OPINIONS | Northwest Herald / NWHerald.com
Adding Wilcox’s talent