Looking for a palm to grease

Ignorantly, I have been lecturing my children on the value of studying hard and getting good grades. I foolishly continue investing in their future through tutors, after school programs and athletics so as to better their chances of getting into one of our state schools that my tax dollars have been supporting for years.

All the while I should have simply signed a check to Mike Madigan et al for their campaigns and ask for a reference letter and a phone call to the nearest dean to open all the doors needed for admission to one of our state's finer schools, the University of Illinois.

Now, of course, the trustees and others at the school have been let go while the politicians take none of the blame for simply being "responsive to (their) constituents."

Since these same legislators control how much money the university receives, it only makes sense that they have no responsibility if the trustees are foolish enough to bow to their recommendations. After all, we know how well funded the school system has been lately, so why would they heed the legislators' "request."

Well, OK, I'll play ...

Mike, if you could tell me where to send the check, I will pass along my kids' names for admission. While you're at it, could you get them a break on books at the state-financed libraries? I would really appreciate your "responsiveness." Let's keep this among ourselves.

Jim Lewan

Sleepy Hollow