Congress has gone far beyond promoting ‘general welfare’
The preamble to the Constitution states that one fundamental purpose of the government is to “promote the general Welfare.”
One might say the term “general welfare” does not give our government carte blanche to redistribute taxpayer funds to certain individuals or groups they believe are not healthy, safe or prosperous. It means only to ensure that the entire population as a whole has equal opportunity to be healthy, safe and prosperous.
Congress is tasked with ensuring the entire playing field is fair, such as equal educational opportunities, labor laws, interstate highways and commerce, air and water quality, etc. Nothing in the Constitution allows for helping any particular group. Perhaps a state or local government might delve into these issues, but not the federal government.
More Top Picks Services Soil
Over time, the United States has seen our Congress continually attempt to “fix everything.” Just listen to any campaign ad.
It’s time we send a message to our Congress and vote for any candidate who is NOT an incumbent. Vote them all out of office and send a signal that it’s time to start over and stay within the framework set forth by our forefathers. It is well worth your time to read “The Federalist Papers.”
Randall Slaboch, Naperville
Don’t let anyone take away your right to vote
Voters: Your right to vote Is legally protected from intimidation and harassment. Federal law makes it a crime to intimidate, harass or deceive voters at home or the polls.
Voter suppression is any attempt to prevent or discourage certain Americans from registering to vote or casting their ballot. The right to exercise your right to vote in a free and fair manner preserves our civil liberties.
Voter intimidation is any act that causes voters to feel unsafe about exercising their right to vote. You may not be threatened, coerced, frightened, assaulted, compelled or discouraged to vote one way or another, or not to vote at all. The right to vote necessarily includes the right to be free from intimidation and harassment.
If you think you have spotted voter intimidation, what should you do? Know your rights! You may: ask a poll monitor to double-check their registration list, document incidents thoroughly using your phone (outside the polling place) or by taking notes; avoid engaging with groups or individuals employing intimidation. If a voter’s registration is denied, the voter may still cast a provisional ballot.
You should report incidents of voter intimidation to the Illinois State Board of Elections at 217-782-4141 or call the Election Protection Hotline, which is available in multiple languages:
- English — 866-687-8683;
- Spanish/English — 888-839-8682;
- Asian Languages/English — 888-274-8683;
- Arabic/English — 844-925-5287.
A true democracy is one in which every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate. Join the League of Women Voters of Illinois in our fight to support everyone’s freedom to vote.
Susan Craighead
President, The League of Women Voters of Naperville
Investing in forest preserves is an investment in life quality
We will each have the opportunity on Nov. 5 to significantly enhance our quality of life in DuPage County. Passage of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s referendum would allow the district to protect an additional 250 acres of irreplaceable natural lands to provide outdoor activities and educational opportunities for DuPage County residents.
Open space and natural lands play a very important role in preserving the quality of life in the county. People expect their homes here to be good investments for their future. We value clean water, clean air and a healthy environment, and love to hike, bike, camp, fish and enjoy natural areas minutes from home.
Even if you never set foot in any of the forest preserves, you still benefit from the improved water and air quality, flood control, reduced traffic congestion and noise pollution.
Also, in today’s digital age it is more important than ever to provide forest preserves and outdoor recreational programs and places where children can play and be physically active. Forest preserves play a vital role in promoting the physical and mental health of our community.
Currently, the forest preserve district portion of our tax bills is less than 2%. If this referendum passes, it will still be less than 2%. For about $3 to $4 per month for most homeowners, it’s a small price to pay to protect our quality of life and the investment we’ve already made in our homes and communities.
Please join me in helping preserve a positive legacy for our children and future generations by voting “yes” for the DuPage County forest preserve referendum Nov. 5.
Kaaren Oldfield, Glen Ellyn
Co-Chair, DuPage Neighbors for Open Space, Clean Water & Clean Air
Share your views
Submit letters to the editor via email to [email protected]. Please include your name, address and town of residence for publication. We also need your phone number and email address for confirmation. Letters should be no more than 250 to 300 words.
More Top Picks Best Air Conditioner