Parade debate rages on, outrageously

The purpose of Independence Day parades is not to have "fun" or to promote homosexual activity. The purpose of the parades is to celebrate what politicians did for us more than 200 years ago to help win independence from Great Britain and to remind us of the importance of what politicians continue to do for us today.

Politicians should be the focus of Independence Day parades. Cities should do everything they can to encourage politicians to walk in their parades. Outrageously, in his Aug. 14 letter, Libertarian David Scott Thayer of Wheaton makes it clear that he despises all politicians. Thayer should become a precinct committeeman like I have been since 1999. If Thayer would fully carry out the position's responsibilities like I do, he would soon come to realize how important politicians are to keeping and improving the safety and prosperity that we enjoy in America, how stressful and demanding it is to run for political office, and that all Americans should be extremely thankful that people run for political offices and that they walk in parades.

Thayer outrageously says, "Fill parades with fun, not politicians." He further outrageously says that I missed his point, that "the GOP is patting itself on the back for the parade," that I sound "like an elitist," and that politicians have "caused the parade to become bloated and boring."

Outrageously, Thayer wants Wheaton's Independence Day parades to be "primarily sirens, bands, drum corps, clowns, candy, musical acts, with a few dignitaries." Outrageously, Thayer continues to refuse to understand that the purpose of the parades is to celebrate what politicians did for us over 200 years ago and to remind us of the importance of what they continue to do for us to day.

Dave Diersen

Wheaton