Ordinary taxpayers don't stand a chance

We don't need “experts” to tell us why tax hike ballot questions passed (Daily Herald, Nov. 7). Follow the money. Tax and bond referenda are an integral part of Illinois' pay-to-play political culture, where individuals and businesses with government contracts funnel their campaign contributions to support measures that will benefit them, at our expense.

First, taxing bodies spend our money on costly public relations campaigns to “educate” voters with their spin. Then, “independent” political committees finish the job, funded largely by vendors who'll cash in if the referenda pass. Those vote-yes yard signs and fliers weren't paid for by your “Neighbors” or “Friends” of your local district, but by business interests looking for a profit on their investment. Check the public records at elections.il.gov to see who funded the pro-referendum campaign in your area.

School districts, community colleges and other local government officials continue to use their vendors as political ATMs, just like Rod Blagojevich used state contractors. Until we ban these pay-to-play antics at every level of Illinois government, ordinary taxpayers don't stand a chance against the tax-hike combine.

Mark O. Stern

Wheaton