Dear Editor,
I want to commend you for your “Perspective & Opinion” article on November 1st, “Warned by waning interest.” The alarming statistics you cite on the current decline of interest in public affairs in America are a danger to the preservation of our democracy. We need to remember the words of French political scientist, Alexis de Tocqueville, author of Democracy in America (1835), when he advised, “It is above all in the present democratic age that the true friends of liberty and human grandeur must remain constantly vigilant and ready to prevent the social power from lightly sacrificing the particular rights of a few individuals to the general execution of its designs.”
It is hard to be vigilant if local governments are not transparent in their meetings and communications with the people they represent. They need to be reminded that their job is to serve those who elected them and be accountable to them.
I applaud the Event-News Enterprise for publishing “fact-filled journalism.” We need to appreciate the important role of our Fourth Estate (the press and news media) in uncovering the truth and providing information. I also thank you for printing the contact information of our elected officials to make it easier for everyone to reach them. Newspapers provide a vital public service. Keep up the good work!
Rosemary Lewallen
Cypress
Dear Editor,
Residents of Rossmoor Highlands are being plagued by mice! In early September while home with my toddler and newborn baby I saw a single mouse in the kitchen.
From that point on it became a daily occurrence, finding a new mouse inside the house until about mid September when we called pest control because our DIY options no longer felt effective. Even now, I see dead mice as I walk my baby through the neighborhood.
And to top it off, today there was a mouse in our pool! It is out of control
Mona Reed, Los Alamitos
Dear Editor,
Thank you for the Editorial.
I remember first learning about government in a political science class in “junior high school,” as it was known in the 60s. The concept of checks and balances; branches of government; how a bill was passed; the importance of voting and other general governmental concepts were taught between ages 12-14.
I think it was the first time students were taught how to “think” as opposed to memorizing the 50 states and their capitals. I recall the teacher told us we were required to read the newspaper every day, and bring it to class and discuss articles we read.
I remember telling my mother I did not understand what I was reading (Front Page) and she said “you have to read the paper every day…not just once and a while.” I have been a daily subscriber to the LA Times for decades. Political Science should be a required class for every student before they get to high school.
Carol Churchill, Rossmoor
