Electoral College is needed for fairness

I would like to respectfully reply to comments by Roberta Schwartz in the Jan. 31 Daily Herald. She states that our country should get rid of the Electoral College and go to a majority vote. The reason for the Electoral College is to prevent large States like California, New York and Illinois from deciding who the next president would be. A citizen who lives in Ottawa, Kansas, should have the same voice as one in Los Angeles, California. I mean, if we are going abolish this, we should just have the vote taken in these three states. Our country needs be versed on our Constitution and not want to change the laws because they did not like the results of the 2016 election.

Steven Buechel

Gurnee

Ives will target seniors for cuts

Candidate Jeanne Ives continues to stonewall any explanation of her position on cutting Medicare and Social Security after her pal Trump announced last week that he will seek to cut both after the 2020 election. But, if voters in the 6th District take a look at the endorsements she's bragged about, it's not hard to figure out that she would join in targeting cuts to these critical senior programs. On board with Ives are: 1) Heritage Foundation (supports cuts) 2) Club for Growth (supports cuts) 3) FreedomWorks (supports cuts) So, when Ives tells us that she'll "protect seniors," it's simply not credible.

As she endeavors to deceive enough voters to get elected this November, who wants to bet that she won't just fall in line with her big donors and proceed to "kneecap" seniors once in office?

Jerry Freda

Inverness

Looking for 'bottom'

Concerning the impeachment trial, I was amazed by Lisa Murkowski's speech to the Senate. She stated how the president pursued his own interests above our country and confirmed that the Ukraine scandal occurred. Later she mentioned that both parties were culpable for pursuing partisan positions.

The Democrats patiently and comprehensively presented the facts. A number of Republicans confirmed that a quid pro quo had occurred, while other indisputable information revealed that a number of Republicans had lied. Justice was also obstructed as Republicans voted against presenting additional relevant witness and looking through important information that could have shown other lies.

The idea Murkowski proposes that "the Democrats' foundation was rotten" is nonsense.

Near the end of her rant she stated, "It's my hope that we finally found bottom." Her statement is ridiculous. Given that Murkowski knew that Trump defied the Constitution, weakened our global position and allowed Ukraine's soldiers to die because of our failure to immediately provide defense funding, her perspective is perverted.

Ed Krantz

Hoffman Estates

Thanks for helping make vet "ours"

We want to express our immense gratitude to everyone who made the funeral service for "unclaimed" U.S. Air Force veteran John James Murphy so memorable. Mr. Murphy has now been "claimed" as a brother by all who attended: "He is ours." We witnessed the overwhelming power of community and love for those who serve our country.

We would like to thank every single person who took time out of their day to attend the visitation and service at our funeral home and at the cemetery. This day was special because of you.

Thank you also to:

* The Rev. Tim Perry for delivering a powerful message of honor for Mr. Murphy's memory and love for Jesus Christ, our fellow veterans and each other.

* All our talented volunteers who provided patriotic music.

* Those who sent flowers and to Town and Country Gardens of Elgin, who donated flowers, which beautified our chapel and were used for our final goodbye at the cemetery.

* The active-duty service members who served as pallbearers and to all the representatives of veterans organizations who attended, including the American Legion, VFW, AMVETS and Patriot Riders.

* Our friends at True Patriots Care, who posted the beautiful flags outside our funeral home, as they do for every veteran funeral we host.

* Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain, Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley, Elgin Interim Fire Chief Rob Cagann and Hoffman Estates Fire Chief Patrick Fortunato for ensuring Mr. Murphy had an honorable funeral procession to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

A special thank you to the Daily Herald for covering our efforts and to all who took the time to share the news story on social media to spread the word.

It is our hope that this experience will inspire others to step up and care for our nation's veterans, in whatever way they can. Together our community can give veterans the support, honor and love they so deserve.

Daniel and Joy Symonds

Symonds-Madison Funeral Home

Elgin

Abortion opponents affirm Declaration

In response to Robert Frankel's letter to the editor in the Jan. 31 Daily Herald, his claim that the religious "right" is trying impose its religious views on those who favor abortion is far-fetched and off point.

While true that the Pro-Life movement is mostly made up of faith-based religions and that their rally cry is the sanctity of life, it is not trying to impose religion on those who don't seek it or trying to overturn the Bill of Rights or the First Amendment of the Constitution.

On the contrary, the pro-life movement is trying to affirm the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence which states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

I stress the part of the "unalienable right to life." Who are we, as fellow human beings, to deny that right? If a person murders someone else, they are charged with a capital crime and must pay the consequences of their action. Why should it be any different for not allowing a human being to be born into the world?

This is not so much about religion, but about saving ourselves and our way of living. If we allow the killing of human life before a person is born, what is next? The killing of the aged or those with disabilities? This is already happening in some countries such as China and Iceland. Does America want to go down the same path? I pray not. Let's make abortion and euthanasia unthinkable.

Gerry Bliss

Elk Grove Village

End party voting

I was under the impression that elected public figures were voted in by the people in the districts. And that they are supposed to be representing the people that put them in office. From what I have seen, they really do not vote for the people that voted them in but rather vote strictly along party lines. They do not care what the people they represent want but only what thier party wants. I am trying to figure out how to get rid of party voting and let the politicians vote the way the people they represent want. Maybe by limiting terms served to only two would fix the problem. I know I will not be voting for anyone that is currently in office. I just hope that someone that runs against the current politicians will represent the people and not only the party.

John Billis Sr.

Lincolnshire