AFSCME contract an election ploy?

As I understand, the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, just gave a four-year contract, with a 15.25 percent increase, to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, (AFSCME). Am I wrong? AFSCME is the largest state union with more than 37,000 taxpayer-paid state employees as members. A 15.25 percent increase is a bit more than the cost of living increase we non-taxpayer-paid employees would be happy to get.

If the state cannot come up with money for education and a capital projects program, why haven't the media-people made a fuss about this contract? A four-year contract with a 15.25 percent increase seems to be a trifle extreme. Is there some political reason for this kind of contract in an election year? Isn't there something our Lake County top state senator, Terry Link, can do about it?

I am happy the taxpayer-paid employees won't have to sit at their kitchen tables and worry about mortgage payments, gasoline for their cars, food, etc. like the rest that don't work for the Democratic-controlled state?

Please consider this. If U.S. Sen. Obama wins the Presidential election, the Democrats will be in total control of the federal government. I wonder if their first change will be to take away the kitchen table we now sit at to worry!

Bob Druktanis

Lindenhurst