Force accountability at all levels by vote
When are we, the voters, going to hold our mayor, council members, state legislators and members of Congress accountable?
The mayor and council members of Elgin agreed to answer questions on the illegal immigration problems, then all seven used the same script, ducking behind loopholes and a court case that will be found unconstitutional if it ever gets to trial.
They stated that English is the official language of Elgin. Why, then, all the Spanish language forms, information pamphlets and signs? My daughter-in-law missed all the printed material in her native language, Chinese
State Rep. Ruth Munson has sponsored for residents of manufactured home parks, but she will be accountable to her constituents when she supports laws that do not give illegal aliens rights and privileges to which they are not entitled.
State Sen. Michael Noland stood up for illegal immigrants before he ever was elected to office in candidate meetings, letters to the editor columns and with me in private. His position never changed.
Sen. Dick Durbin supports all programs that benefit illegal aliens. He couches his positions against his citizen-constituents in the words "comprehensive immigration reform." He has never voted to fully fund secure borders and doesn't support worker verification laws.
Think about your vote. We have five candidates for the open seat of Denny Hastert in Congress. Does anyone know their positions on Iraq, health care, illegal immigration and tax laws. Do you know how they would vote to reduce the federal budget deficit? Have any of the candidates told you how they would support trade laws that put American jobs on the line?
What is their stand on lobbying, ethics, education and everybody's favorite -- earmarks?
If a representative is not willing to support the positions of the voting public, then it's time to change representatives.
We are not willing to ask candidates hard questions, and if we are not willing to force direct answers, it is our fault when we don't have the government we want.
It is your dollars that are shrinking in value and your health-care costs going up very fast. It is your job in jeopardy, your home's value under pressure. There are no members of the city council, state legislature or Congress, who will be laid off unless we change our votes.
Ernie Ebner
Elgin