It's up to voters to clean up the mess

Another insult was delivered to Illinois voters with the narrow defeat of an attempt to put the recall question on the ballot.

Because of this, Gov. Blagojevich, Todd Stroger, Emil (I need a raise) Jones and other inept and dishonest politicians are again free to do as they wish with our tax dollars -- a loss to honest government.

Kudos to Dan Kotowski, Susan Garrett and others who did not vote with the Democratic majority to kill this chance for the voters to speak.

Bad government can be more dangerous than terrorists with whom we can fight back. With voter apathy, we can do little.

Hopefully but unlikely, the Democratic Party will suffer for this in the next election just as the Republicans suffered after the George Ryan corruption scandal.

We see little opposition to the almost-guaranteed raise for legislators.

While people worry about paying the gas and grocery bills, Emil Jones and others saddle the taxpayer with higher taxes to pay for this kind of political maneuvering.

Many of these greedy politicians are voted and kept in office by lazy or absent voters, by political hacks or voters who are too busy and do not care.

The voter's attitude of "What's the use" is most dangerous to us all.

Ron Paul said the most important thing to do (or not to do) is nothing.

This applies particularly to voting. More efficient and honest government is so critical at these times and voting good people into office is the only protection that we have for honest government.

History proves that corruption and voter apathy have led to the demise of democracies before us.

Once politicians see they can make the laws, set their own salaries, buy votes to stay in office, they will eventually take full control.

We need more dignity and honesty in our leadership.

William McNutt

Des Plaines