Come on, candidates, lead the way
I am so tired of finding myself more entertained than informed by politicians running for office. The more our country and state cry out for real solutions, the more candidates race to their parties' extremes. Sad, sad, sad.
As far as the state of Illinois is concerned, we all want know we must have a truly balanced budget - no tricks, no gimmicks. Without it, our credit and reputation are terrible and we carry an ever increasing load on our consciences.
How can we fail so miserably, leaving such huge holes for our children to somehow fill?
To their everlasting discredit, state Democrats led by Speaker Madigan, will not break their unethical tie to public unions. A power nexus has been created that has no place in democracy. On the other hand, we have Republican voodoo economics nonsense.
Even Rauner has repeatedly acknowledged that income tax rates have to be raised if we are to have even a glimmer of a hope for a balanced budget sufficient for the state to fulfill its many obligations.
Voodoo economics are not the answer. Rauner's own analysis shows that his reforms to make Illinois more business friendly will only generate an additional $1.4 billion, far short of what's needed to pay debts and balance the budget going forward.
Nevertheless, my mailbox is filled every day with literature saying candidates will not only not raise taxes, they will lower them! This is simply disingenuous.
Candidates, please have the courage to say the truths no one wants to hear, but you know to be true, if we are ever to put Illinois back on its feet. Public union power has to be decreased, income taxes must be increased. Whatever you have to do to get it done, lead the way. Do it!
Peer T. Lykke
Barrington Hills