To participate in government, learn the language

Regarding the Daily Herald editorial "A show of inclusiveness" on May 22:

If you are Latino and have lived in Carpentersville since 2007, you should have learned English in 11 years. You want to take pride in the wonderful country that you live in, either legally or illegally, learn the English language. There are many other towns that have Polish and Asian residents that have managed to learn the English language.

The best way to feel like part of the town, part of this country, is to learn the language. No one says you can't speak your native language wherever and whenever you want, but don't expect to live here and expect everything in Carpentersville to be printed in your language or for clerks to converse with you in your language.

As for voting and running for office, no one turns anyone away from either. But remember, you have to be a citizen to vote. And you have to be a citizen to run for many offices. Now the CLC is calling for the English-speaking citizens of Carpentersville to change the voting system so the village's minority populations don't have low civic involvement and voter turnout, which is attributed to "feelings of helplessness."

Observe the Polish and Asian immigrants. They have learned our language and are able to vote and shop without having dual English/Spanish signs on every store, bank and voting place.

Sue Tiedeman

Elgin