MontCo spends too much on illegal population Re: “Traffic woes from military relocations just beginning,” Sept. 26
Maybe if Montgomery County wasn’t spending so much on the illegal alien population it houses and welcomes, the county could afford to make the necessary infrastructure improvements to help alleviate this mess.
David Towle
Ellicott City
Public condemnation used to muzzle Maryland citizens
At a recent public forum, I asked Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett what constitutional or statutory authority he had to question a private citizen’s right to select a speaker for a private meeting. He replied that he had no such legal authority, and seemed confused as to why I asked the question.
I reminded the county executive that his name recently appeared at the top of a list of 22 Maryland elected officials, including the majority leaders of the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates, who ostensibly signed a letter condemning a local Republican women’s club for inviting Fred Grandy to speak to its members about Sharia law. Leggett recalled the circumstances, and said he had made a “political” decision to join the public condemnation of a private gathering.
Wondering where his action leaves private citizens planning their next meetings, I asked if he would give us guidelines as to who would be appropriate speakers. He declined.
Private citizens, take note! You could be the next target of political condemnation for inviting someone to speak in your home or at another private meeting. Never mind that this violates your freedom of speech and your freedom to peaceably assemble. Never mind that all the office holders who signed the letter took an oath to uphold the U.S. and Maryland Constitutions, which both protect these freedoms — or what history tells us about political figures who deny them.
Cathy Trauernicht
Potomac
For a new direction, we need a new Congress
The role of the federal government is to guide, protect and support the American people. Collectively, members of the House and Senate are as responsible for the numerous federal government activities — including budget deficits, health care debacles, banking and finance industry misdeeds, and overall government mismanagement — as any presidential administration.
This litany of problems has existed for the past several decades under the nose of many long-term members of Congress. It has made virtually no difference what president or political party has been in office. Congressional incumbents, especially past and present majority and minority leaders, have failed at their basic governmental tasks year after year, but regularly support special interest groups at the expense of the American people.
Thus, in good conscience my votes and voice now go to replacing every congressman in the upcoming elections. Doing so cannot directly solve all of America’s problems, but it will bring accountability to Washington and clear the way for true solutions.
Steve Deibele
Kiel, Wis.
