Edgar doesn't know what's best for state

Former Governor Jim Edgar should leave Illinois as soon as possible.

Here's why: His strong support for Judy Baar Topinka ensured that Blagojevich would get elected to a second term despite his terrible record for his first four years. Before the election there were several great Republican candidates who had excellent business experience, which is exactly what Illinois needs. Despite this, Topinka was just barely selected as the Republican candidate by those influenced by Edgar.

The major reason she lost the election is that she projected herself as being like some mean old lady. I noticed this right away and shortly thereafter Blagojevich starting showing this image to the voters. Why did an old political pro like Edgar not see this and help her overcome this? I voted for her.

Another major blunder was that he advised voters to vote against having a constitutional convention soon after the last elections. He must have known that having a Con Con is the only way the Illinois pension system, which is about $80 billion in the hole, can be changed. Every year that goes by the state gets another $3 billion or more behind. Most voters do not know this, but these pensions are guaranteed by the taxing authority of the state legislators.

The entire financial world panicked when Dubai recently announced that it would have to delay payment of $60 billion that is due now. How will the world financial community react when Illinois finally admits that it can never reduce the shortfall of our pension deficit that continues to get larger every year. Maybe by that time Dubai will be back on its feet and be able to bail us out.

What bad idea is next for Edgar?

Robert Kellstrom

Schaumburg