Is Rauner message really good for us?

Is Rauner message really good for us?

Mr. Rauner's new commercial emphasizes how hard he would be on the "special interests." You know who those special interests are, don't you? The policemen, firemen, teachers, public employees, workers represented by unions. In other words, a good portion of Illinois' middle class.

Mr. Rauner became a wildly successful businessman by ruthlessly focusing on the bottom line: the highest possible efficiency and profits for the owners, investors and his business at the expense of the ordinary worker. Cheaper to send a company overseas? Let's do it! Increase company profits by reducing pay and benefits of the ordinary worker? That's fine!

And what does he intend to do as governor? According to the Aug. 4 International Business Times, "Bruce Rauner suggested if elected governor, he will fire public employees and potentially shut down the government to address his state's fiscal challenges." That means the state police, those who work in the comptroller and state's attorney offices, health care workers, etc. Those are not jobs that just anyone could fill, and lowering wages and benefits would make these jobs less attractive to the best candidates.

Mr. Rauner's main message seems to be he wants everyone to pay lower taxes. Everyone likes that message - until you think about what that means. Local and state services, such as schools, public transportation, and roads, would deteriorate. Is this really good for Illinois?

Linda Dickey

Lombard