Leaders letting state down

Anyone who thinks that government can turn things around need simply step back and look at the recent mess they’ve created. Having overspent for years to ensure the expansion of entitlement programs and therefore a loyal and dependent voter base, they decided last year to raise personal income taxes on those of us working by 67 percent, and on the companies that employ us by almost as much.

This has prompted companies based in Illinois (Sears, CME, Caterpillar, Motorola, etc.) to rightfully claim “foul.” They have been here supporting the state economy in a big way for decades, and are now being penalized with a higher tax, getting nothing in return.

Some in Springfield recognize the value of these companies, and are now concocting special tax deals to keep them from moving. Negotiators are in the process of playing favorites where political connections, campaign donations and backroom deals will shape whatever “solution” evolves. If the past is any indication, their solution is certain to have unintended ripple effects ensuring a succession of crises that demand their further action. If you were starting or moving a company, does this behavior draw you to or repel you from Illinois? The problem is clear to see. The solution less so.

We need elected officials who understand what employers need from government: a clear understanding that for every dollar they spend, they’ve extracted it from some person or company that has earned it; predictability; fairness/consistency; reduce spending to meet revenues; stop borrowing; encourage accountability from citizens, not dependency

Living in a fee society requires great responsibility, and it’s up to us to understand what our candidates believe by how they vote (not by what they say), and then support those who are true leaders and not simply distributors or resources to win re-election.

Keith Gray

Mettawa