Letters to the Editor

Over the course of several weeks this spring I have been submitting opinion letters to the editor of the Ogle County Life. This is a weekly newspaper sent into the homes of the residents of Ogle County, in northern Illinois. I am aware how valuable opinions can be. Everybody has one, or two or three. But I hope these make some sense and contribute to the public debate.

On the Unsettledness of American Life and Politics

(Published in April, 2025)

American life is unsettled. American political life is disturbing. Each day seems to bring some new crisis and opportunity for our common life to become more chaotic. The issue cannot merely be described as Republican desires for change versus Democratic appeals for the maintenance of our public institutions and rule of law.

While I do wish that MAGA influence on the Republican party was greatly diminished and the Democratic party would not merely be a party of opposition, but also a party of vision; the current state of affairs cannot solely be defined as a struggle between these two political parties.

By observation I have to state that the struggle is over how we shall define American life, American virtue, and American values. The struggle is over how we shall approach these things. Shall our public life be governed by revenge, retaliation and retribution. Or shall our public life be goverened by reconciliation, restoration and redemption. I ask which promotes the well-being of our common life. Which promotes public health? Public safety? Which provides for life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

Revenge is a dish best not served at all. For those who eat of this meal are never nourished but remain hungry and unsatisfied. It is far better to consider how we are neighbor to one another than to spend time determining if such and such a person is worthy of our attention.

I do not understand why destroying the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island and replacing that with a section of southern border wall and a Visa card available for $5 million dollars is a better visual aid to describe immigration to the United States. “Give me your tired and poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free” has served us well in defining what is America.

This is no small matter for us. This time is critical in determining not only what direction we shall take in our public life, but even more importantly why. I do not advocate for a return to what once was. I desire to consider what shall be. Can a nation so conceived in liberty and freedom long endure. Shall we be like a shining city on a hill, with a government by the people, of the people and for the people. Shall we be able to enjoy a more perfect union.