Average folk will recall reform votes

Judging by what I read in the papers, our so-called "leaders" in Springfield are about to perform another of their famous backpedaling acts. After months of high-minded rhetoric about political reform, they are likely to let the issue slide quietly from the roster or pass watered-down legislation that will leave plenty of room for future hanky-panky. After all, they are not up for re-election soon, and the thinking is that voters have a short memory.

I've conducted a small poll among relatives and friends scattered around the state. It indicates that even the hot-button issue of a possible tax increase doesn't draw as much interest as what our lawmakers do (or don't do) about reform. The consensus is that anyone who doesn't vote for meaningful reform can expect to be remembered come the next election.

I think the people I've spoken with are typical of folks around the state. They all agree that no matter how much pork their elected representatives may have brought into their respective districts, their vote for or against reform will be the one thing these folk are certain to remember the next time they step into the ballot booth.

The reforms proposed by Patrick Collins and his committee are well thought out and much needed. I hope those people in Springfield are tuned in to the feelings of folk like those I polled. Like the fellow says in that Gilbert and Sullivan song, "We've got them on our list, and they'd none of them be missed."

Dan McGuire

Bensenville