Not everyone has the right to gripe

It is common knowledge that Cook County has the highest sales tax and is right at the top of the most corrupt counties in the United States.

My question is, why would anyone vote for any incumbent county official, including members of the cook county board?

So, here's my "Right To Gripe" listing:

If you voted for any incumbents, you helped bring this mess on all of us and you have no right to gripe.

Until you decide to become a part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

If you didn't vote, period, you have no right to gripe because you chose not to participate in the democratic process. Until you decide to become a part of the solution, you also remain a part of the problem.

Those who have consistently voted against the incumbents and have been trying to achieve an acceptable level of honest government in Cook County are the only people who have the right to gripe.

If you don't like the costly practice of nepotism, vote against it.

If you don't like the pay-for- no-work activities that have been prevalent for years, vote against it.

If you don't like county officials voting themselves pay raises when they are failing to fairly represent the people, vote against it.

If you don't like a county government run by edict and royal proclamation, vote against it.

If you don't like the costly chauffeured vehicles and other outrageous perks these people have awarded themselves, vote against it.

If it was up to me, I'd vote every one of them out of office and tell everyone running for those jobs, regardless of party, that if they are elected and don't do the job we want them to do, then we'll vote them out and get someone else.

It's only when he citizens of Cook County take a stand and say, "Enough," that anything will get done.

Secession isn't the answer. That's just running away from the problem. What we need to do is clean house.

Len Brauer

Palatine