Citizens must share the blame

Wednesday's front page editorial correctly condemns most of the elected leaders of our state government. Many leaders have chosen to use their time and energies to fight personal and party turf battles instead of choosing to compromise and make sound and timely decisions.

However, it is no longer just their fault. It is also our fault as citizens for sitting complacently by while well-compensated elected leaders took us into the quagmire.

For far too long there has been the absence of outrage. Well, here's my outrage.

I resent what the elected officials have done to bring dishonor and disgrace to the people of Illinois. The harm they have done is not to some abstract and amorphous institution called "Illinois." The harm they have done is to us - the men and women, the boys and girls who are citizens of this state.

These so-called leaders have brought such embarrassment to the state that I have heard young people say that Illinois is a joke and that they hope they don't have to live here when they finish their educations. This must stop, and if it takes a complete turnover of elected officials, the sooner the better.

People in a democracy should not have to put up with this.

Generally, I am reluctant to speak out so forcefully and be so critical. And I realize there likely are extenuating factors involved in government leadership and service of which the rest of us are not aware. But I feel we are at a point where the patience and faith of the people of Illinois have been ignored and exploited. No more!

Leaders, lawmakers, and governor: Do the job you were elected to do, or start looking for another job. We've had it with you. We've had way more than enough.

Gary R. Baker

Gurnee