Emanuel needs to focus on city

I have continued to read the political maneuvering by the mayor of the city of Chicago, and what I clearly realize is that this proves the old axiom of “You can take the boy out of the country but you cannot take the country out of the boy.”

Rahm Emanuel seems to have forgotten that he is no longer a congressman, or the chief of staff to President Obama. He gave up both of those jobs to take on the task of running the city of Chicago, which is a daunting task in and of itself.

Yet, because the Chicago Cubs owner voiced a political opinion contrary to the programs of President Obama, the mayor of Chicago is now refusing to take his phone calls from the owner of a major business in Chicago that contributes income to the city in many ways and supports a broad range of businesses associated directly and indirectly with the team.

This is not only childish but damaging to the business environment in these difficult times. The mayor needs to remember that he pledged to work for the people of Chicago when he took on the job of mayor.

Then, concerning the recent medical leave of Congressman Jackson, which has attracted much media attention, deservedly, Emanuel weighed in with his partisan comment that there is no need for Congressman Jackson to be in Congress as Congress is doing nothing. The part of Congress that is doing nothing is the Democratically controlled Senate which has not passed a budget for over 1,000 days and counting.

The mayor needs to decide. Is the question that was posed during his campaign still a question? Does he live in Chicago or does he still have his head in Washington?

Orlando J. Stratman

Lake Zurich