President Obama suggested better background checks for gun dealers and people who want to buy guns. The Chicago Police Department, the FBI, Homeland Security and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives all know about gangs in Chicago. They all know the higher-ups, so why don’t they do something before they take away my rights to own a gun? Put those gang leaders in a vacant prison downstate. Then they should clean up the streets and maybe I won’t have to buy a handgun. Then talk to me about background checks. So far, you haven’t checked anything. You’re afraid of the gangs just like you are of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Get a backbone, Mr. President.
John, Bridgeport
Reading the compensation packages of Tinley Park’s employees, as suggested, was staggering. How can anyone have $50,000 to almost $75,000 in compensation above and beyond salary? The added perk of a vehicle is like salt in the taxpayers’ wounds, as is the information that pension contributions are also paid by us. With those packages, buy your own car. Driving anywhere in a 16-square-mile village is far from an overnight trip. Oh, that’s right, those vehicles are filled up, maintained and insured by us for your personal use to drive anywhere you’d like.
Tinley Park
There are 158,000 kindergarten teachers in the United States. Collectively they made about $8 billion in 2015. The top four highest-paid hedge fund managers collectively earned about $10 billion yet, as a percentage of the overall income they generated, these four hedge fund managers paid a lesser amount in income tax than the kindergarten teachers. This is immoral. It’s sinful. It’s a tragedy, and anybody who thinks that’s OK shouldn’t even be allowed to vote this year.
Dave, Oak Lawn
To me, it’s very simple. Will one of our high-ranking politicians, reverends or community activists please preach this message to our youth that are involved in gangs: If you are carrying a gun or a knife and committed a crime, and the police arrive on the scene, please, we beg you, drop your weapon and surrender. The police want to go home to their families, too. They do not want to shoot anyone. It is so simple. All lives matter, even criminal lives, so please get this message out. Don’t blame other people when they are forced to defend themselves against an attacker with a knife or gun. This is common sense.
Each year, Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, located in Downtown Chicago, feeds those in need. This year was no different. They fed hundreds of Catholic Charities clients first-class meals. Catholic Charities does so much for the needy. Why can’t other large churches and megachurches join together and do the same? There are some churches that give turkeys and Christmas toys for children each year. By joining together they could do more and help the needy.
BJ, Hazel Crest
I saw a candidate on TV the other day. One of her supporters said, “She has the courage to be in that office.” Once elected, that courage will all but disappear and she will become a nameless, faceless, whoever. Then she will do anything to stay in office, except help those who elected her.
Oak Forest
This is for any parent considering putting their child into a football program or any male considering long-term playing of football. They should be required to see the movie “Concussion.” It’s a real reality check.
Rich, Orland Park
I’d like to say that Tom Skilling, of WGN-TV (Channel 9), is the best weatherman in all of Chicago, and the rest are just impostors.
To all those people that are criticizing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump out there: I’m retired. I don’t need a job any more, but all you people that need jobs and a better economy better think twice before you vote for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Trump’s the only answer.
John, Hegewisch
To Pete in Oak Lawn: If your house was on fire, who would you call? A firefighter, right? Also, if you were in trouble, who would you call? A policeman, right? So, I think that every respect should be given to policemen and firemen.
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