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Who is doing the dividing?
I was reading about the upcoming midterm elections. The term “divisive” was used a lot. Mr. Trump and Trump supporters were accused of being divisive.
It is undeniable that this country is more divided than at any time since the Civil War. Most of us can remember America before 2015, when Mr. Trump declared his bid for the presidency. Things were so much better then.
Late-night talk shows had as their guests Republican and Democratic candidates. Magazines had on their covers Republican and Democratic presidents and first ladies. We can all recall when news reports gave us just the news. We grew up having a reasonable amount of trust and respect for the FBI. We bought local newspapers to read about local news.
These days late-night talk shows absolutely refuse to have Mr. Trump or anyone associated with him on their shows. Magazine covers boldly exclude placing the beautiful Republican former first lady on their covers. News reports have become slanted, so as to influence elections to benefit the Democratic candidate. The FBI has become a political tool used against conservatives. Today, local newspapers report largely on national political issues with a more favorable presentation of the Democrats.
Mr. Trump and Trump supporters are accused of being divisive, and yet we have to ask ourselves, “Who is doing the dividing?”
Charles Danyus, Round Lake Beach
Let’s do something about mental health
There’s an urgent crisis in Illinois regarding mental health, drug abuse and developmental disabilities. Whenever a tragedy like the Highland Park shooting occurs, there is an outcry for more mental health services, yet little progress is ever made. Currently, the state of Illinois ranks 35th in spending on mental health, and 43rd in spending on developmental disabilities.
This November, citizens of Vernon and Wheeling townships can make a difference in this critical situation. There’s a referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot to establish community mental health boards in each township, which would collect and allocate tax dollars for mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability services.
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The funds would be taxed locally and stay local. They would funneled through the federal government, state of Illinois or local counties. These boards would address the unique needs of their communities. In Vernon Township, the average homeowner would only pay an additional $49 per year to support a mental health board, but nearly $1.5 million would be raised.
What will passing this referendum and establishing a community mental health board mean to you and your family? It would:
*Improve the ability to act quickly when families are in crisis.
*Reduce gaps in services, such as long waiting lists or arbitrary cutoff limits.
*Increase screenings for prevention and early detection.
*Provide comprehensive services targeted to the needs of the local community, ensuring preventive and therapeutic programs are streamlined, accessible, and affordable.
Let’s do something about mental health instead of just talking about it.
Joanne Johnson, Buffalo Grove