Liberal agenda
One of the biggest blunders an independent voter can make is to go along with the prevalent myth that there are conservative or moderate Democratic candidates.
Regardless of their campaign rhetoric, once Democrats reach office, they all follow along with the Barack-Obama-Nancy-Pelosi-Harry-Reid-extreme-liberal agenda.
Oh sure, the Dem leadership may let a representative vote according to the will of his or her moderate constituents, if the leaders don’t need his or her vote to win passage of a bill. But rest assured that when a vote is needed, the arm-twisting will begin and the so-called “moderate” Democrats will step in line.
Time and again we’ve seen it in the House and Senate with the stimulus bills, abortion funding, the budget and ObamaCare.
Don’t be fooled: If you are a moderate or conservative voter, you are sure to be snookered by a Democratic candidate who sounds like Ronald Reagan before the election and votes like Barney Frank after.
— Gary Ziolkowski, Crown Point, Ind.
In search of good government
It won’t matter who the new mayor of Chicago is, as far as solving our problems. Truth be told, the real problem with achieving better government is that government employees, who are aware of and disgusted by the shenanigans they see, are forced to shut their mouths if they want to protect their families and jobs. If they speak the truth and do the right thing to protect all of us taxpayers, words could not describe the negative consequences they will suffer for the rest of their lives.
We all, press and citizens alike, talk a good game about desiring better government, but until we protect honest people who want to see honesty in government (those whom the press continues to describe with the negative term “whistleblowers”), we will be stuck in the same rut we are in and nothing will ever change.
Good government is not a mirage, unless we deny truth by punishing it.
— Rick Singer, Skokie
Dictators as mayors
Chicago will soon be rid of an arrogant, overbearing dictator as mayor. Do we really need another bully marching in from Washington believing he’s been anointed and with the imprimatur of “The One” stamped all over him?
Hey Rahm: Go away and find yourself a real job for once.
— Timothy D. O’Reilly, Chicago
Rahm’s home
This is in response to “Looking out for Rahm” (Voice of the People, Oct. 6), by letter writer John Lindsey. The White House had no choice but to let Rahm Emanuel go. When he was asked to join the Obama administration, he was hesitant because he hated leaving Chicago. In the end, he felt he was needed in Washington.
So instead of him not being “so hot,” as the letter states, he is “burning hot” because he was so valuable that the White House agreed to his conditions.
Chicago should not be concerned about him leaving because Chicago is his home.
— Anna Cronin, Oak Lawn
Vote for honesty
We want honesty in Illinois. Do not vote for anyone in office. Vote for no one if that looks like the best way to go.
— Richard E. Engels, Woodstock
Illinois’ party
The voters of Illinois should ask themselves a few questions before they vote in November. They should ask themselves:
* Which party has run Illinois as long as anyone can remember?
* Which party has run this state into a financial quagmire?
* Which party did the impeached Rod Blagojevich belong to?
The answer to these questions, of course, is the Democratic Party. If the people of Illinois want to continue down this path, then continue to vote the same people into office. They won’t have anyone to blame but themselves when things go from bad to worse.
— John Belluomini, Bartlett
Shameful endorsement
The Tribune recklessly endorsed George W. Bush for re-election in 2004. It was irresponsible, dangerous and naive.
I am very disappointed to see this mistake repeated in Mark Kirk (Editorial, Oct. 8). He has voted for everything that has hurt this country and voted against the remedies.
The Tribune talks about his independence. A rubber stamp for all of Bush’s policies was not independence.
This paper should be ashamed of itself.
— Mike Green, Chicago
Bush backer
What are ya, goofy? Endorsing Mark Kirk for the Senate is like inviting George W. Bush to return to power.
Kirk was a Bush man, promoting policies that nearly destroyed the nation. Karl Rove, Bush’s political guru, is currently pouring money into Kirk’s campaign as a way to revive these policies.
The Tribune wants a senator who will protect the U.S. from its enemies. The failed Bush policies Kirk promotes are an enemy.
The Tribune does Illinois a disservice. Shame on you!
— C.G. Jones, Chicago
The role of parents
Tribune reporter Bonnie Miller Rubin’s “The social homework; Focus on teaching students interpersonal skills can lead to better behavior, higher grades” (Page 1, Oct. 6) discussed the in-school education of interpersonal skills. Rubin stated that about $1.4 million was given by the Illinois State Board of Education to fund proactive behavioral programs. Why are new programs being funded when some schools cannot afford sports, arts or a sufficient number of teachers? Equally important, why is a responsibility and liability of parents being taken on by schools?
While the participating schools have shown an increase in grades, the larger picture is that these programs are depreciating the value of parents. It is also true that some parents fail to educate their children in interpersonal skills, but by making this education available in school, we are giving parents a reason to neglect their children’s behavior. If these programs go widespread, the next time a child is misbehaving in public, the schools will be blamed. Schools already take enough heat because of parents; we do not need to add to the list.
— Brendan Koll, Evergreen Park
Going green
I am writing in regard to the White House going solar (News, Oct. 6). In your article you discussed how President Barack Obama will become the first president to use solar energy as a means for powering the first family’s residence. Solar panels were once used by President Jimmy Carter and President Ronald Reagan but were removed later by Reagan. Obama is becoming a great role model in the effort to go green.
If we all take minor roles like Obama in changing how we use energy, we can make the world a better place.
— Mike Healy, Chicago
