Guest Opinion | Thursday, December 15,2011

Now’s the time to get involved in local politics

Can it be possible that the good ol’ boy political machine is weakening in Sangamon County? Clearly, some kind of change is underway. The normally disciplined and restrained Republican Party eng

Guest Opinion | Thursday, December 8,2011

I (sort of) love taxes

By Nick Capo

For fiction lovers, the upcoming presidential campaign, which might match Newt Gingrich against Barack Obama, promises to deliver a cornucopia of entertaining untruths.Gingrich published a book last y

Guest Opinion | Thursday, December 1,2011

Revitalize neighborhoods by mobilizing voters

By Sheila Stocks-Smith

Get ready voters, election season is here again. Door knocking has already begun as candidates for national, state and local offices pass petitions to get their names on the ballot. Critical offices l

Guest Opinion | Wednesday, November 23,2011

Audri says goodbye to Pops

By Rick Wade

Sept. 10. Pops had been in bed sleeping nearly 24 hours, so Karen and I went in to try to wake him, get him up. His eyes were open and staring straight ahead. The harsh snoring sound coming out of his

Guest Opinion | Thursday, November 17,2011

A Libertarian asks, ‘What immigration problem?’

By Sr. Kathlyn Mulcahy

Arizona, Alabama and Georgia have each enacted stringent laws aimed at curbing illegal immigration. Before saying more, let’s be clear about the alleged problem. What is an “illegal immigr

Guest Opinion | Thursday, November 10,2011

’Tis the season for shopping ‘local first’

By Sharon Whalen

This week the Capital Area Independent Business Alliance launches its second annual SHOP LOCAL FIRST HOLIDAY SWEEPSTAKES. More than half of the 200-plus businesses that belong to the alliance are part

Guest Opinion | Thursday, November 3,2011

Springfield tourism needs state support

By Tim Farley

During the fall veto session there is the potential the state Tourism Promotion Funds (TPF) could once again be targeted for cuts. Though there may be no immediate direct threat to this fund, it is be

Guest Opinion | Thursday, October 27,2011

What scares me at Halloween

By Lola Lucas

A recent Chris Britt editorial cartoon in the State Journal-Register showed two kids anxiously peering through the window at a stranger standing outside their home. “Dad, who’s that on the

Guest Opinion | Thursday, October 20,2011

Good ol’ boy government

By Sheila Stocks-Smith

When it was announced that three women would share the Nobel Peace Prize, women across the world rejoiced. In America, women have long fought for and won their rights and have become accustomed to rea

Guest Opinion | Thursday, October 13,2011

Who are the poor?

By Nick Capo

My favorite scene in Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist occurs in the second chapter. Oliver Twist is living with several dozen juveniles in a workhouse, all suffering “the tortures of sl