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College is right to use less-costly labor

Many of those traveling on Route 31 in Elgin a few weeks ago had the unpleasant experience of seeing three blind mice and a rat. The inflatable rat stood 10 feet tall and was staked to the ground, but in front of it stood three blind mice. The mice bore a striking resemblance to the rat, so the term "mouse" is meant to be a diminutive comparison, for each stood but six feet tall and three feet wide. The mice supposedly possess more talent than the rat due to their membership to a union, but they were doing the exact same task as the rat. They were trying to garner attention and sympathy, for which, ironically, the rat did a far better job with far less pay.

The "blind" nature of the mice is a reference to the lack of understanding possessed by mice as to who or what exactly their protests impact and hurt. They stood there in protest of Judson University's right to hire whatever company, union or nonunion, they wish.

The protest was not just against nonunion labor, but it was also a telling display that unions in Illinois stand in the way of the next generation achieving the American dream. A college education has become an integral part of achieving that dream. Many cannot afford to go to college and many of those who do go leave with student loans that take decades to pay off.

By hiring inexpensive labor, Judson University is doing the responsible thing for its student body. The cost of union labor would simply be added to the already burdensome tuition rates - making the American dream even further out of reach for those young people who are already striving against many odds and obstacles to attain it.

Enoch Essendrop

Elgin

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