The true meaning of 'shared pain'

"Shared pain" is phrase used by politicians when they want to raise our taxes and make us feel guilty if we don't accept them. They talk of budget cuts, like cutting teachers, policemen, medical personnel and aid to the poor and elderly.

Do we ever hear of their shared pain? How about cutting your salaries and benefits or your staff. Maybe if you and your families felt what we are going through, you might just fix the financial mess this state is in.

First, you waste our money then you comeback and ask for more, and we're supposed to trust you to spend it right this time. Cut the wasteful spending and programs; show us how you're going to spend "our" money before you dare to ask for more.

I feel the only way to truly reform our government is to get rid of the Chicago Democratic machine that runs our state: Madigan, Daley and their allies have to go.

Robert Laskero

Bensenville