Des Plaines should rid itself of mayor

Democracy: The majority makes decisions by voting based upon the "consent of the governed." Autocracy: A government where one person makes all the rules.

Once upon a time in a quiet Northwest suburb there was a government whereby the people spoke and their representatives listened. The representatives would then make laws and establish services that would benefit the people and make their lives better. And the people were glad.

But in 2013 we were fooled into thinking that a youthful change was the right decision. It did not matter that the change was bogus. That the change was for an inexperienced, wet behind the ears, petulant child.

The latest arrogant abuse of authority, abolishing the elected official's health insurance, is just another example of his inability to cooperatively govern. To accept the will of the people. The city council voted six to two to keep the elected officials' voluntary insurance policy perk intact.

This was contrary to the wishes of the mayor but it was a good move. Not to be stymied by the governing authority he had the legal department, who always caters to his wishes, define justification for an unprecedented abuse of power. In reality it simply was a matter of getting what he wanted regardless of the vote of the aldermen.

It has been that way for over almost three years. Rescinding residency, a huge raise for the city manager, vetoing decisions and on and on.

Nothing will change in the next 14 months. His four sycophants will always support him, one will stand by him if he strangled puppies. It is up to (you/us) to stop the madness in April 2017. This country was built on the will of the people, not the will of the one. Democracy or autocracy, you decide.

Mike Lake

Des Plaines