Republicans won't reduce deficit

In reviewing what I have read in the newspapers, there is a similarity of thought among Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady and Steve Rauschenberger stating platitudes of non-substance and nonsense.

Brady wants to decrease state agencies (and the Illinois minimum wage) 10 percent, which only results in a $3 billion deduction toward a $13 billion deficit that would primarily hurt innocent poor folks.

Rauschenberger has basically the same mindset. In retrospect, State Sen. Michael Noland proposed a 2 percentage point increase in the income tax to create $7 billion payoffs against the $13 billion state deficits. This act by Noland is responsible and brave. He also believes some cuts are necessary.

Rauschenberger lists very minimal items that would cut the state deficit by a few hundred thousand dollars. He is scared to mention a tax increase because it sounds good to a dumbed-down electorate that doesn't want their taxes (especially lower income groups) raised.

Most people are not fully informed and believe the lies that are told to them by Republicans, and they are humorous.

Both candidates are right in finding abuse and fraud in Medicaid but are wrong in decreasing Medicaid. Senior citizens and those that have exhausted their unemployment benefits would be the most affected by adjustments.

Nevertheless, Sen. Noland makes the most sense and is the true conservative Democrat. Republicans want to borrow rather than take the high road of not borrowing. This will only create more deficits and destroy state benefits from state agencies for all Illinoisans. Be wise, not fooled!

M. Barry Birchfield

Elgin