Others shouldn't choose leaders for us

President Obama thinks Rahm Emanuel would be "a great mayor" of Chicago. I remember he also thought Rod Blagojevich would make "a great governor" for Illinois.

It's better that selections of Illinois political candidates now be left to the innate wisdom and "trial and error" experience of Illinois' exasperated voters. People living and working here know what makes a good public servant. They also know what doesn't.

Unfortunately we've had our share of political insiders who were hand-picked by so-called "king makers," or politically well-connected family patriarchs, who were later found to have openly and flagrantly betrayed the public trust. As a consequence, Illinois' reputation has been seriously damaged across the nation. Our fiscal rating is in tatters, and our legislators continue spending as if the public trough will never run dry. Our commercial and industrial growth has been markedly curtailed. Businesses large and small are exiting the state in search of friendlier taxing bodies and better-run government agencies.

Illinois unemployment is at a record high. Good government policies and practices, coupled with intelligent, capable political leadership, help create municipal environments that welcome and foster healthy economic and social, growth and stability. What Illinois needs is highly qualified political leadership, and an abundance of good, experienced and ethical candidates. The kind that nobody sent.

Patrick J. Dalton

Northbrook