People and governments should respect each other

I found much to agree with in your editorial “Action is the key to ensuring our liberties” in the July 2 St. Charles Republican. But I think you overstepped your mark with the statement, “Do we fear our government, or does our government fear us?”

We live in a democracy, not a dictatorship. There are very good reasons to fear the government in a dictatorship — not the least of which is the power of government to do what it wishes with its citizens. I fail to see the reason to fear government in a democracy where we can express our dissatisfaction with our governing officials in any medium we choose and vote them out of office if they don’t do what we expect them to do.

As for the government fearing us, I hope our elected officials, and bureaucrats alike, serve, not out of fear of dismissal, but, ideally, with a desire to do some good for their fellow citizens. So rather than “fear,” I would choose the term “mutual respect” to describe the relationship between a democratic government and its citizens. Only when respect is acknowledged on all sides can a democracy function effectually.

James A. Bachman, St. Charles

Rotary Club thanks Swedish Day supporters

The Geneva Rotary Club has concluded another successful Swedish Days with good sales at our Third and Campbell food booth of brats, hot dogs, sweet corn and drinks. We want to thank Geneva residents and visitors for their purchases at our booth. Funds raised support Rotary service projects both local and international, youth exchange, scholarships, and local charitable organizations.

Geneva Rotary offers its thanks to our vendors and suppliers for great service and products. Geneva Jumpers and Geneva Gymnastics organizations provided us with wonderful volunteers at our booth. We  appreciate the hard work and enthusiasm of these young women.
Rotary club members, friends, spouses and other family members worked many long hours with organization, set-up, cooking, serving and cleanup. Geneva Rotary is much indebted to all our volunteers for 2009 Swedish Days.

Gordon Hard, ‘08-09  president; Sandy Kaczmarski, ‘09-10  president