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To President Donald Trump supporters who have convinced themselves that Trump’s tax returns are not important, let me mention a few things. First, every president has showed his tax returns in recent history, so that the American public feel comfortable that there are no conflicts of interest. Not seeing the tax returns is a possible national security concern. It is not the “haters” or Democrats “spinning.” it is the fact that Trump will not release his tax returns. If he had nothing to hide, why not just put them out? Common sense dictates that he is hiding something. If a president has financial ties or obligations to foreign countries, there are real conflict of interest concerns. Will these financial conflicts affect his decisions? Is there a foreign country holding something over his head? Does he “owe” other countries? This should be concerning for all. Our country’s well being is at stake.

SS

Two mayoral candidates. No debate. No mention of stepping up property maintenance. No details on how business will be flocking to Tinley Park, properties taxes will be reduced, or home values will crawl out of the sewer. The nothings are from both sides of Tinley Park’s candidates. Are there any actual plans? So much for healthy and productive competition.

Tinley Park

After decades of watching professional sports, thousands of games, I’ve grown tired of the mega-contracts given to today’s players many who lack fundamental skills, their “me first” attitudes, and their over-hyped promotion. While listening to local sports radio, it was mentioned that a 23-year-old White Sox player just received a “chump change,” their words, six-year, $25 million contract. So, more money than the average person could make in 25 lifetimes is considered “chump change.” As mentioned, decades of viewing has caused me to remember fondly back to the days of Mantle, Musial, and Koufax, all grossly underpaid by today’s standards. What I see today, regardless of contract size, are players who couldn’t shine the spikes of the old timers mentioned. I’m done with most pro sports, hockey gets pass, and “athlete pandering” sports radio, too.

Evergreen Park

I had to laugh when I saw the recent article about the financial difficulties of disgraced former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. As he’s receiving over $138,000 in disability pay and worker’s compensation, I highly doubt that the “impoverished” Jackson will find much sympathy among the middle class. When most people think of “impoverished,” they think of homeless people, struggling seniors, orphans, and beggars. Real “impoverished” people have little to nothing. They don’t have a mansion to sell off, a wealthy father to tap for money, or stacks of Michael Jackson memorabilia to auction off. If Jackson was standing on a street corner with a “will work for food” sign, then maybe I’d consider him “impoverished.

A large problem in this society is that many people do not want to comply with the law. Rather, they politicize it, and therefore view their compliance as “optional.” I comply with the law, and all it takes is a little time and effort on my part. Before my driver’s license expires, I renew it. When I get the postcard saying that my car needs to go for the emission’s test, I plan a day and take it. Before my vehicle sticker expires, I go and get the new one. When my dog gets his rabies shot, I take the paperwork from the vet to my city hall and I get my dog his new rabies tag for his collar. I have no sympathy for people who get pulled over while driving on a suspended license. I have no sympathy for people who get fined for violations. They can blame the police, or the city, or “the system,” but they only have themselves to blame. If they only did their part, then they probably wouldn’t find themselves in such situations.

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