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As someone who was born and raised on the southwest side of Chicago, I laughed when I read that a Tinley Park trustee is appalled that anyone would think racist attitudes are playing a role in the delay of construction of low-income housing in that town. Of course it is playing a role in the lawsuit filed by residents who feel zoning practices were changed to benefit this housing project, and it is playing a role in the delay of a vote on the project by the trustees. Just listening to my friends from the southwest side and suburbs is enough to know racism is alive, though thinly veiled. I know people who won’t go to certain upscale restaurants out that way because of the amount of “lower-class” people who now frequent them. Several friends’ children have recently sold homes and moved so they were no longer in the boundaries of a certain high school that draws students from “other areas.” Some won’t even go to the Orland Mall except when it opens in the morning, because it’s now drawing a “lower class” of people and teens. One would have to be deaf to not know just what these comments really mean.

El, Hegewisch

I don’t know why the millionaire politicians in Springfield defeated the legislative bill to tax millionaires 3 percent more. This is the second year in a row.

JL, Oak Lawn

Why is Bruce Springsteen a hero for refusing to perform in North Carolina due to his gay/transgender beliefs, yet bakers are prosecuted, fined and shunned due to their gay/transgender beliefs?

Don, Palos

I have been following the saga of Dennis Hastert, who has been accused of sexual abuse to boys when he was a wrestling coach. I think it is terrible to abuse young children and he should be punished according to the crime he committed. What I can’t understand is one of his accusers blackmailed him for $3 million. Apparently the crime wasn’t so devastating to him that he could blackmail Hastert instead of going to the authorities. I think he should be charged with blackmail and put in jail. I don’t care what the crime was, I don’t think anyone is above the law.

Don, Alsip

Why does it always have to be about race? There’s plenty of people who would love to live in Tinley Park in affordable housing. I am one of them. I am not black, and I don’t care if my neighbors are black, Hispanic or white. It’s housing meant for people who can’t afford $1,000 a month in rent.

Rahm shouldn’t worry about borrowing $1.2 billion to fund the Lucas Museum project. His first priority should be curtailing the violence in Chicago. The latest statistic is: 1,000 people shot since the first of the year.

Palos Heights

Amanda wrote Gov Rauner will not compromise and that he is an evil man. You’ve got it wrong, Amanda. Madigan is the one who won’t compromise. He would rather see Illinois go down the tubes than give an inch. People and businesses are leaving Illinois by the thousands. Madigan is the evil one, Amanda.

As the Presidential election grows nearer, the mudslinging between the two major parties gets ever more fast and furious. Let’s look at some relatively unknown facts. Fact: The Republican Party was founded in 1854 to abolish slavery. Fact: The Democratic Party founded the KKK and started Jim Crow laws. Fact: Democrats opposed integration and civil rights for more than 100 years. Fact: Traditionally and historically, the Democratic Party has thrived on racism. Now, come election day, you may vote how you please. But if you vote Democratic, and then cry racism, just remember that your vote helped further that racism.

George

All this political correctness offends me, and I demand an apology.

Earl, Tinley Park

Not content with just slandering Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, the left-wing extremists are now attacking John Kasich. They are weaving fantastic fairy tales about what Gov. Kasich did or didn’t do. Gov. Kasich is a fiscal conservative who has actually done what he says. His record is in view for everyone to see. He is the only candidate who has made executive decisions and succeeded where others failed. I expect more venom from the left as the campaign continues. The last thing the left wants is a moderate Republican with policies of fiscal soundness for a candidate.

Jim, Tinley Park

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