Fox Valley Soapbox: Really tough sell

While governments at all levels, including in Illinois, continue to see higher taxes as the solution to all problems, taxpayers seem much less thrilled about handing over more money to governments seemingly inept and inefficient, especially when individual jobs and benefits are disappearing even as costs for the basics keep rising. That's why a proposal to raise federal gas taxes by 40 cents per gallon is likely to hit with a resounding political thud in the middle of a presidential election campaign. Even the most aggressive spin-meisters won't be eager to dive into that one.

MySpace safety effort

Yes, MySpace.com and law enforcement officials have tightened efforts to shield young users from online sexual predators. But it comes at a price. Parents and police may have more trouble keeping an eye on Web activity as well. And there are certainly other, less restrictive networking sites to which those who don't like the restrictions will move. But it's a legitimate effort to improve safety for some of the Web's youngest users. Still, the best advice to young users might come from one of their own, a 17-year-old from Willowbrook High School: "Kids just need to be smarter."

Sneak approach

Once again, a major Illinois policy shift was sneaked in the back door with little or no debate. This time it was public taxpayers funding private schools to the tune of up to $75 million in textbooks, software, background checks, and health/safety areas. Tucked quietly into school funding legislation, the policy furthers blurs the line between public and private schools, which do not have to follow many of the state's education laws. A bad idea, especially when it is cooked up behind closed doors, which is what opponents claim happened. This is a major constitutional issue that sets an expensive precedent. It ought to be discussed at length and in depth, not slipped in under the cover of night.

Technical entertainment

Looking for a little mind-expanding entertainment? Why not check out DaVinci Academy's entrant in a state robotics tournament? Teams of fifth- to eighth-graders from the Elgin school and comprised of students from up and down the Fox Valley, finished first and third in a regional tournament. If they should do well with their presentations at the robot competition at the Illinois First LEGO League State Robotics Tournament at Forest View Fieldhouse in Arlington Heights, they could move on to an international competition in Atlanta, Ga. Entry is free for today's tournament.

Scaly 'companion'?

An odd Kane County case seems likely to help define whether a bearded lizard can be considered a pet like a cat or dog. Does it fit the definition of a "companion" animal? Most people probably would say not. But if someone harms or kills a spouse's lizard, as happened in this case, because of anger with that spouse, it would seem to suggest they know the spouse cares something for the lizard. That would seem to meet the pet test, whether lizards be popular or not.

Recycling can pay

Employees as Hoffer Plastics in South Elgin do a lot of sorting, but in the end they reduce the trash generated by their plastics injection molding firm to almost nothing and reap the benefits in the form of recycling revenues. In 2007, not one pound of trash from the village's largest employer went to a landfill. And $100,000 in recycling revenue went for employee recognition, Christmas gifts for employees and a summer picnic. Proof, indeed, that recycling can pay.