Voters should ignore shrill attacks on Mathias
Until recently, local politics, elections for school board, municipal and state legislature used to remind me of high school athletics - free from the bitter partisanship we see in statewide or national campaigns.
That has changed for my wife and me as we find ourselves inundated with "Sid Mathias" attack mail pieces sent by the Carol Javens campaign.
I find it ironic that a Democratic candidate would play the guilt-by-association card while her party decries the same tactic on a national level. If guilt-by-association is in fact "guilt," which it is not, we should all ask ourselves with whom is Ms. Javens associating? Her attempts to connect the misdeeds of a single contributor to a dedicated public official, actions totally unrelated to Mr. Mathias, suggest Ms. Javens is guilty of poor judgment or accepting bad advice.
Either tend to diminish her qualifications for public office. In effect Ms. Javens requires that Mr. Mathias be aware of every action taken by anyone he has met. This "standard" is why more intelligent, passionate and dedicated men and women choose not to seek public office.
Ms. Javens has been somewhat effective in suggesting why voters should not cast ballots for Sid Mathias but has, from my perspective, been unable to communicate why she is a suitable alternative. Her commitment to health care, while admirable, is not an elective or executive position.
"Real world experience" and the promise of "levelheaded, common sense approaches" are claims that virtually every person living in the 53rd District can make. While somewhat Palinesque, neither specifically qualifies her to hold office.
Now for the disclaimer. Sid has been a friend for almost 30 years. (My) lack of objectivity has allowed me to witness first hand someone who has dedicated himself to his family, his faith and his community. I urge my fellow voters in the 53rd District to vote for Sid Mathias and send a message that "in this time and in this place"our district will settle for nothing less that the highest quality individual and most qualified person to represent us in Springfield.
Joel Finfer
Buffalo Grove