Question For Mr. Plachno

Larry Plachno: Researcher, writer, editor and author. Larry is against government giving! (“Did We Kill the Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs?”, Dec. 23, 2009)

He didn’t like the people we elected to public office. In the good old days, we elected farmers and businessmen. Larry, today farming is big business.

With all this government giving and the terrible people we elected into office, they still provided America with a long era of prosperity.

With all the things we’ve done wrong, we still created more wealth, bigger corporations, banks, and companies in the history of man.

Larry, is that bad?

Raymond J. McFadden

Lanark, IL

Amazed

I am amazed to find that an educated person would be amazed at the dislike of Moslems in the west given the current world situation (“Prejudice is a Poison,” 01/06/10). It seems sort of like someone wondering why the U.S. would be mad at Japan after Pearl Harbor. I realize that the vast majority of Moslems are fine people who don’t attack anyone, but it is also true that most of our attackers are Moslem.

Most citizens don’t worry too much about Middle Eastern history. They only worry about who is trying to kill their fellow citizens and family members.

Even President Obama has authorized a little selective profiling to curb the threat. Fancy that.

Bob Stretton

Savanna, IL

More Amazement

Your recent letter expressing your amazement of hatred and animosity is correct (“Prejudice is a Poison,” 01/06/10). There is plenty of hatred out there. The problem is that you are mistaken about the source of the hatred and animosity.

The United States and the Western world are among the most open, non prejudicial peoples on the planet. In case you have not noticed, last year we elected the first non-white president in our history. Our country goes out of its way to allow varying views, positions, religious beliefs, etc. Our tolerance is actually being used against us by Radical Islam. Let me quote Omar Ahmed, chairman of the board for CAIR:

“Islam isn’t in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Qur’an should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth.”

Another quote worth considering comes from the book The Islamization of America which states “Thanks to your democratic laws, we will invade you. Thanks to our religious laws, we will dominate you.”

We have a right and obligation to support and defend our culture and way of life. This county was founded on Judea Christian principles and beliefs. All one needs to do is research what the founders of our country wrote and believed.

As to Gitmo and the so called innocents that are being housed there remember this. The Detroit Terrorist was trained by some of those same innocents that were released from Gitmo. Those in opposition to moving Gitmo to Thomson, IL are not fear mongers as you have categorized them. I find it interesting that you have classified those with genuine concerns about the safety of our homes, schools, etc. as bigots and fear mongers. The name calling seems to be coming from the likes of Senator Durbin and Governor Quinn who seem to be more interested in helping President Obama, also from Illinois, keep a flawed campaign promise. All under the guise of creating jobs. Two thirds of which will be provided by the military and not civilians.

The poison of prejudice is rampant. However, it may be worth noting the definition of prejudice. Simply stated, prejudice can be defined as preconceived judgment or opinion. An adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge.

I believe we have just grounds and knowledge when it comes to Radical Islam.

Steve Rangel

Shannon, IL

Why Adam Andrzejewski for Governor of Illinois?

This February, Illinoisans will have a great opportunity to fumigate state government and make our citizens proud of the Governor again. Over the last decade, this state has seen far too many examples of how our politicians take us for granted. George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich, and complicit politicians have tarnished the image of the great State of Illinois.

The deficit continues to skyrocket and Democrats keep relying on new taxes and fees that hurt families and businesses. Many of us are suffering from job losses, inadequate healthcare, and other symptoms of the broken system that make us want to move out.

Property taxes are at unprecedented rates, pensions are unfunded, job losses are at record highs, and healthcare is mismanaged. The only candidate who has thought out real implementable solutions to all these issues is Adam Andrzejewski (And-Gee-Eff-Ski). He has outlined specific solutions on his website at www.adamforillinois.com. His impeccable background and ideas together create the best opposition to any other candidate. Unlike any of his opponents, he doesn’t need the legislature to implement the two key components of his impressive platform.

1.    Every Dime, Online, in Real Time (Full Financial Transparency of state checkbooks)

2.    Forensic Audit of all State Agencies (Assess impact of spending and restore accountability)

He is running on leadership and entrepreneurial skills –not the political experience that has led our former Governors into corruption. Illinois is facing a record budget deficit and a crisis of leadership and Adam Andrzejewski is the man for the job. 

Tom Mitrosz

Chicago, IL

Publisher’s Note: The Prairie Advocate will accept political endorsements of candidates and issues up to the January 20 issue. Take note of this for the November General Elections: The Prairie Advocate will accept political endorsements of candidates and issues up to the October 13 issue, leaving two weeks for citizens to research the issues and candidates on their own, with no bias other than paid political advertising.

Thanks, Commissioner!

Kudos to Commissioner Bert Shaw of the Savanna Park Board for  his timely & excellent response to the problem I presented to him. The problem was that there was no snow plowed on the road in our Marquette Park. This park is one of the few in our state that allows you to drive & view the world known Mighty Mississippi river up close with out getting out of your vehicle. My discussion with the Commissioner resulted in his commitment to me that he would see what he could to resolve the problem. Fastforward to the recent 6- 8 inches of new snow. The day after this snow, the park road looked like  the top  of a new dining room table. Great job Bert. It was an excellent response from an elected goverment official. Why don’t we get this type of response from local-state or federal elected officials? Are we at fault? Have you contacted your official? Untill recently I never ever contacted them. The silient majority will never ever win. Only squeaky wheels get grease.

Lou Ranchino

Savanna

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

Each year in December I meet with advisory groups from the education, agriculture, small business, and law enforcement as well as local mayors, county board chairs and others representing the five counties in the 89th House District. My motive, of course, is to provide legislative support for the various organizations and groups that serve our local communities. The reality is that they provide for me tremendous insight into the uniqueness of their professions, and how the state’s actions affect their operations.

Politics is a strange creature. We can succeed in providing remarkable help, and we can also fail miserably. This past year, more than any other in my seven years as your State Representative, our failures, not legislative but financial, really stand out. At this writing, the state owes local health and human service organizations and other providers well over $4 billion (yes, that’s billion with a “b”). Many of these payments are 180 days past due. Each of the 177 legislators is receiving calls from local agencies and individuals owed money. We in turn are on the phone to the Comptroller’s office, saying “please, at least get us a partial payment for this group/ individual”. Many legislators too, are facing eviction from our district offices, or have had phones or utilities cancelled because the state hasn’t paid the bills. It’s not pretty, and we are the ones obligated to fix it. We return to Springfield next week (Tuesday, January 12th), and somehow fixing this deplorable situation is unquestionably our biggest obligation.

Ok, Sacia, so just what do you propose? First and foremost we must reduce our spending. I shared several weeks ago how in recent years, the number of highly paid administrative officials in many state agencies has significantly increased while those actually working with the local agencies and clients have decreased in number.

Over the past six years our welfare rolls in Illinois have increased by more than 800,000 citizens. You know I support helping those deserving, but again this year I intend to introduce the same legislation I proposed last year – if you get welfare, you take a drug test. Many working people take mandatory drug tests to keep receiving their paychecks. It’s only fair that those receiving monthly checks at the taxpayer’s expense should do so as well. Additionally, photos on LINK cards are a must! This is one of the most abused services in our welfare system. The cards are traded on the black market like children trade candy the morning after Halloween. No one wants to say it, but more and more we are becoming a culture of multi-generation welfare recipients. Yes, there those who truly need some temporary assistance; but there are also those who simply don’t want to work and will pull every string to avoid it.

One comment I hear more and more recently is that there is a growing number of the unemployed who have given up looking for work. What???!!! You can’t drive through a fast food restaurant that isn’t advertising for “help wanted”. Ok, it’s just over $8 to $10 per hour, but its honorable work. Our system has gotten so far out of whack because it pays more to remain unemployed than it does to get back into the work force in a lower-paying job. The late Dr. Martin Luther King said, and I’m paraphrasing here, that if you push a broom you should do it with honor and dignity.

Many state employees, myself included, are taking 12 days without pay; but not those who belong to the state labor union AFSCME; they refused to reopen negotiations on their guaranteed 3% pay hike and certainly wouldn’t take any days without pay. Talk about responding “in your face!” when asked to help out during trying times!

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at 815/232-0774 or e-mail us at jimsacia@aeroinc.net. You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.