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POLITICIANS NO BETTER THAN VOTERS
Fletcher Farrar ended his commentary “Can the governor, like Bush, change his tune? [Dec. 14] with a quote: “Good government in a democracy involves making hard choices. Citizens who live in Illinois and pay taxes here, and the businesses located here, make hard choices. Their government should do no less.” What alternate Marty McFly Illinois do Farrar and the Civic Committee live in?
While Illinois citizens do make hard choices (consider the climate), the political Illinois I live in has voters who do not want politicians to make hard choices. Because the voters are the boss, they ultimately get what they want. Election after election (with one unique exception in 1990, when Cook County racial animosity and what the Chicago media described as the settling of grudges from the Richard J. Daley era took precedence over statewide issues), if one candidate advocates making hard choices and one talks about eliminating “waste, fraud, and abuse,” the voters always dump on the advocate of hard choices. Dawn Clark Netsch, in 1994, and Richard Ogilvie, in 1972, are just two prominent examples.
This is not recent. When Gov. Thomas Ford cleaned up the internal-improvement program-induced default in the 1840s after the collapse of the Bank of the United States (the plan was so moderate that the debt was not paid off for 40 years), the result was the Constitution of 1848. The Constitution of 1818 was limited to the following on taxes: “That the mode of levying a tax shall be by valuation, so that every person shall pay a tax in proportion to the value of the property he or she has in his or her possession.” This is in contrast to Constitution of 1848, which contained two-thirds votes (“the aggregate amount of which shall not be increased without a vote of two-thirds of each house”) and the requirement of voter approval (“have been submitted to the people, and have received a majority of all the votes cast for members of the general assembly at such election”).
Of course, the contrast between appearances and reality in Illinois politics did not start with finances — it started at statehood with slavery. The Northwest Ordinance, which covered Illinois, prohibited slavery, yet, at the dawn of statehood, Illinois did have slavery — mainly limited to salt mines. The stench from this illegality was such that Congress required the Constitutional Convention to address the issue. It did so — in a manner that was described this way in Illinois History (December 1993): “There clearly was a group of delegates who preferred to keep Illinois’ existing system of slavery in place, while giving Illinois the appearance of a free state. In the end, the convention seemed to have adopted their position.” This compromise pleased no one. In fact, the pro-slavery interests called for a referendum to allow slavery in 1824 — it was defeated after a vigorous “no” campaign led by Gov. Edward Coles.
So, to Mr. Farrar and the Civic Committee, if you think that politics needs to change in Illinois, don’t complain to the hired help. Take it up with the management who makes the hiring decision — the voters. But, given Illinois’ nearly 200-year history in such matters, it may be simpler and easier to clean the Augean stables.
John Krein
Springfield
SEASON OF NEED DOESN’T END
We are rapidly approaching the New Year, when many make positive resolutions to have a good start of the year. Many vow to lose weight, eat better, work out more, call Mom, drink less, cease smoking, or even shop less. Some of these are not going to happen, and some will happen. I have a suggestion for a good opening for the year. It is a fact that most people in this area are very generous, particularly in November and December, toward the needy. Here is a fact for you: They get hungry and cold from January to March. How about vowing to donate cash and food to places like St. Vincent de Paul, the Salvation Army, St. John’s Bread Line, Contact Ministries, and food pantries? I will look up the charity of my choice and donate to help in this hardest part of the year and suggest that you also go to the phone book, pick one or two, and help in January. This is a resolution that we can do to create a more positive new year. I wish us all good health and prosperity in 2007.
Patrick Johnopolos
Springfield
CONGRESSMAN’S MISPLACED PRIORITIES
Ohio congressman and presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich recently held a hearing on the devastating human costs of our war in Iraq. The same week, our congressman, U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson (R-15th), held a hearing on the rights of universities to run athletic programs without NCAA oversight. Johnson expressed concern over the NCAA’s violation of local autonomy.
If only our congressman was half as concerned about the autonomy of a country we invaded, unprovoked, and a people we continue to kill with our planes, artillery, and unmanned drones!
If only our congressman had the temerity to investigate our devastation against a previously unarmed population, deprived for over a decade by our post-Gulf War sanctions, who had the misfortune to be living under the rule of Saddam Hussein, our former ally now fallen from our grace!
If only our congressman would join presidential candidate Kucinich in calling for an end to the off-the-books supplemental funding of our war on Iraq!
That Tim Johnson cares more about supporting the autonomy of Chief Illiniwek supporters over the life-and-death issues facing our armed forces and innocent civilians in Iraq is a shameful betrayal of the federal office he holds.
Meg Miner
Mansfield
THE LEFT’S INSANITY AND HATRED
This letter is for all the frothing lunatic liberals who keep blabbering about impeaching President George W. Bush and gushing about articles full of supposition, half-truths, and outright falsehoods in an effort to bolster their belief that an impeachable offense has been committed by President Bush.
Plain and simple, if the president had committed an impeachable offense and there was actual evidence of it, Democrats in Congress would have pursued impeachment. It’s really just that simple.
Whether it would be for revenge for the Clinton impeachment or just the run-of-the-mill hatred and animosity the left shows on a daily basis for all who dare to disagree with their opinions, they would have impeached him.
So can we move past this idiotic and fruitless crusade to impeach President Bush and grow up? Please? The insanity and hatred from the left is really beginning to bore me.
Kevin Johnson
Chatham
AN OPEN LETTER TO LAURA
Dear Mrs. Bush,
Except for some ignorant comments you made about stem-cell research never being productive, you seem like a fairly rational person. We’re looking for someone to talk some sense into your husband.
We understand George has this crazy notion about sending more troops to Iraq. What’s that all about? From what we read, significantly increasing our forces there would be going against the advice of the Baker-Hamilton Commission, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 89 percent of the American public, and most competent military analysts who have publicly spoken their mind.
Is there any way you could sit down with him and have a special talk about this matter? Maybe have the White House chef fix him something special to eat beforehand. You know the old thing about the quickest way to a man’s . . . oh, that’s right — it’s heart, not mind. Forget that idea.
Well, do what you can. We’re not expecting miracles, as he seems to be a stubborn sort. Was that one of the qualities that attracted you to him? That would be somewhat difficult to imagine.
Also, if they’re home for the holidays, tell the twins hello for us and remind them about the great enlistment bonuses being offered at military recruiting offices.
John Lambert
Springfield
WE’RE THE LUCKY ONES
I just wanted to say thanks for making such a great paper and making it available to anyone in the area, regardless of financial status. In a time when the majority of the media is corporately run and profit-centered, you people really make the difference to people like myself who would rather think for ourselves and not serve as sheep of the corporate shepherds. I feel so fortunate to have access to such a jewel that Illinois Times is. Keep up the great work,
Chris Spangler
Springfield
This article appears in Dec 21-27, 2006.
