CEOs only looking for scapegoats

The repeal of collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin is an outrageous, partisan stunt that defies public support, democracy and precedent, and it should be a wake-up call to the middle class. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker targeted nurses, teachers and firefighters just trying to support their families — hardworking women and men who provide critical services to our communities.

Illinois lawmakers should know that going after these public employees will have enormous consequences. Working families in Illinois have already been hit hard by the Great Recession. Even though public employees aren’t responsible for Illinois’ fiscal challenges, they’ve still made considerable sacrifices. Nationwide, more than 397,000 state and local workers have lost their jobs since 2008. Numerous reports show that these employees already make less than their counterparts in the private sector.

Now it’s time for CEOs and politicians to do their part to get our economy back on track, but they’d rather find scapegoats than solutions.

Let’s be honest. If politicians were serious about tackling the deficit, they wouldn’t be handing out tax breaks to the same CEOs that got our economy into this mess. Our elected officials should focus instead on the issues that matter to Illinois taxpayers: restoring balance in our economy and creating the good American jobs that power the middle class.

Robert Komorous

Palatine