Let's stop talking and do something

There are three kinds of people in this world: Those who make things happen, those who watch what happens, and those who wonder what happened. We need to stop wondering and start making.

Let's begin by stopping politicians from treating themselves like royalty. Let's take away the authority to give themselves raises, benefits and perks and give the responsibility to us voters. Let's hold them to ethical standards that will nurture our trust. Let's get corporate America out of their pockets by prohibiting corporate and organization donations and gifts. Eliminate the obscene amounts of money they spend on campaigns and establish realistic spending limits for each office. Once we do that, they will then be able to spend more time representing us and less time fundraising for themselves.

Regarding banks, investment banks and some large commercial banks need to be watched like 6-year-olds on the school playground. Their fiscal behavior can't be trusted and they obviously need strict rules and oversight.

Executive salaries, bonuses, perks and incentives should have to be approved by shareholders and not pals on the boards of directors. And while they handsomely reward themselves when big risks pay off, they should be required to give back when those risks lose money.

Len Brauer

Palatine