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I get what Gov. Bruce Rauner has been trying to do, and I give him more credit than most people in Cook County would be willing to give him. From a financial perspective, this state spends more money than it takes in. That is not an opinion, or a politically-motivated jab at any political party. It is a fact. This is the reality of Illinois, the state of our state. Illinois has been bleeding money for a very long time. Bills are unpaid, money has been misspent and mishandled, and many businesses want nothing to do with this state because it is a financial wreck. The pensions are screwed up, the governor’s mansion has fallen apart, and there isn’t enough money to go around to fund all the schools, social service departments, and community outreach programs. Last year, some 37,000 residents fled Illinois, seeking better opportunities, lower taxes, and safer neighborhoods in other states. I can’t blame them any. I’m disgusted, too. Illinois is dying a slow death, it has been for many years. Financial stability is the only way to revive it. Only then will Illinois perk up and have the opportunity to thrive, much like our prosperous neighbors.

At 29 years old, I’m still considered a young adult by many. For me, and many others in my age bracket, high school was not that long ago. I went to my local public high school for all 4 years, and I cannot recall very many instances where my teachers voiced their political opinions, personal feelings, or religious beliefs to the class. Activities, speeches, and group work did not involve highly controversial or sensitive topics. We did not discuss matters like social justice or religious tolerance, and we were not encouraged to express our feelings or beliefs by joining trendy social movements. School was school, plain and simple. The focus was on academic subjects, not on the society that existed outside of the school walls. That was my own personal experience and that was what I observed over the course of 4 years. It seems that things are very, very different now in many schools.

If the 2005 tax return was leaked by President Donald Trump, himself, why would Rachel Maddow run with the story? Are her producers so stupid not to see this story makes the president look good, since her life and show is dedicated to Trump’s destruction. I along with most Americans do all we can to pay as little as legally possible and I think the president should pay the least also.

Orland Park

Way to go Mr. President. What have you accomplished so far? There’s no wall. There’s no replacement for Obamacare. There’s no proof of Obama wiretapping. What have you accomplished? Absolutely nothing. Nice job.

In what feels like two of the longest months ever of a new presidential administration, with ongoing allegations of wire taps, ties with Russia, questionable accusations, blatant lies, caustic tweets, and alternate truths, if this continues and any of these allegations are substantiated, the only wall we may see is one around President Donald Trump in a cell for criminal activity.

Tinley Park

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