Letters to the Editor
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Elections, not con con, will fix the state
Friday, October 31, 2008
On the surface, it looks like a good idea. Beneath the temptation to rewrite Illinois' Constitution, however, lurks many dangers.
Foremost, a convention is estimated to cost $80 million to $100 million. Have you read about the dozen or more state parks and historical sites slated to close this year because of funding issues? Do you remember that last two legislative sessions where lawmakers argued over money that wasn't there? Where will the state find $80 million to fund the convention in a state that is already cash strapped?
Con con could be a threat to labor
Friday, October 31, 2008
On Tuesday Illinois voters will be asked to vote to authorize a constitutional convention. This would open our constitution to revision.
Granted, there are things that could be changed, but we have an amendment process in place for that. The problems facing our state are not because of the constitution, but are more directly related to the people we have elected. A constitutional convention will cost our state tens of millions of dollars, money that could be much better spent on education, health care and the unpaid bills that are piling up on the comptroller's desk. A less expensive option is to vote out the legislators who are making poor decisions.
McCain endorsement ignores Palin
Thursday, October 30, 2008
What was glaringly missing from your endorsement of Sen. John McCain for president was any mention of his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin. She is a significant reason many voters have serious reservations about a McCain presidency. Sen. Obama has received major endorsements from many Republicans, notably Gen. Colin Powell, who have referred to McCain's lack of judgment in choosing Palin. Even the Alaska newspaper, The Anchorage Daily News, endorsed Obama in part because of Palin's alarming lack of qualifications:
"Yet despite her formidable gifts, few who have worked closely with the governor would argue she is truly ready to assume command of the most important, powerful nation on earth. To step in and juggle the demands of an economic meltdown, two deadly wars and a deteriorating climate crisis would stretch the governor beyond her range. Like picking Sen. McCain for president, putting her one 72-year-old heartbeat from the leadership of the free world is just too risky at this time."
People can't afford school sales tax
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Champaign County residents will soon be voting on another referendum to raise taxes. We are told this is for our schools. They like to tell us this to try to get us to feel guilty if we vote against it, as though we would be opposed to our schools. Nobody is opposed to schools, but what many are opposed to are endless tax increases.
Our property taxes for schools go up a large percentage every year. On top of that, they want to impose a (roughly) 12 percent increase in our sales taxes.
McCain endorsement just talking points
Thursday, October 30, 2008
It is not particularly surprising that on Oct. 26 The New-Gazette chose to endorse Sen. John McCain for president. Certainly, if the editorial board believes McCain deserves its endorsement over Sen. Barack Obama, it has every right to do so. I am extremely disappointed, however, in the content of the endorsement editorial. It is my belief that an endorsement from a newspaper such as The New-Gazette should present a compelling argument about why the endorsee would be the best candidate to represent the interests of those of us who live in East Central Illinois. Not only did The News-Gazette utterly fail to make such an argument, it does not appear any attempt was even made.
What we were left with was a repeat of talking point after talking point that provided no unique insight or new evidence to make the case for McCain. The editorial sounded as if it could have been a press release from the McCain campaign. In fact, unless we are presented with compelling evidence to the contrary, I see no reason to believe the editorial board actually wrote the endorsement editorial.
Vote to increase Corn Belt fire board
Thursday, October 30, 2008
This letter is written to support an initiative that increases the size of the Cornbelt Fire Protection District board from three to five members.
I would like to encourage people to vote "yes" next Tuesday so we can increase the input into the decisions of this district which, with a budget of over $1.8 million, 10 fire fighting vehicles and a volunteer staff of 48, is one of the largest in the rural areas of the county.
Anderson solid on county board
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I want to encourage citizens of Champaign County Board District 7 to re-elect Janet Anderson to the board. During her eight years of service, Jan has made many valuable contributions and currently serves as chair of the Justice/Social Services Committee. She is also a member of the Environment and Land Use Committee.
Jan is willing to take on added responsibilities as the county board representative to the mental health board and the new county nursing home board. As a member of the mental health board, I have worked closely with Jan for eight years and I value her faithful attendance and her knowledgeable and intelligent participation in our meetings. She is always well prepared for discussions; she does her homework.
Endorsement yields Obama contribution
Thursday, October 30, 2008
After reading your rationale for endorsing John McCain which includes, by required extension, Sarah Palin for the presidency of the United States, I was motivated to go online to donate the cost of my soon-to-be-canceled New-Gazette subscription to the Obama for president campaign.
ROGER FORD
Nudo has experience, record in District 3
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I have known Al Nudo since the 1970s. He is hard-working and goal-oriented, listens to all sides of an argument and, in my opinion, makes informed, reasoned decisions. Al focuses on the costs and the bottom line as well as the impact of his decisions.
Al has extensive business experience, including being president of Robeson's, Inc., and has effectively managed a large group of employees. Al Nudo was appointed to his current position as a county board member because of his extensive background and his ability to work with others. He was a good choice.
County Republicans need a new leader
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
With less than a week to go before the election, I want to blow the whistle on the leadership of the Champaign County Republican Party. As someone who came back to his hometown after going to school in Southern California and working with a lot of right-of-center student organizations including College Republicans, I was shocked that there is a complete lack of will or gusto on the part of our county party to our state party to come up with an alternative to the Blagojevich machine.
Over the past year, I have heard many pathetic excuses as to why Republicans should not even bother to run anyone for state representative or in the urban parts of Champaign County. When we do run candidates, they usually stand for nothing like Frank Calabrese, or they go around campaigning like they are Larouchite oddballs like Tony Pomonis.
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