Recall 'recall votes' at next election

Talk about audacity? Talk about elitism? Talk about having utter contempt for Illinois citizens?

We have it all in Illinois. Bedrock status quo state of Illinois. Home of big-time political waste and corruption. The imperial powers of Illinois have unilaterally decided to do all the thinking for the people of Illinois.

Our elected-Democratic senators, once again rallied to deny us our right to decide if we, as Illinoisans, wanted to add a recall amendment to our Illinois state constitution.

Their decision denying us that right should come as no surprise to any longtime Illinoisan.

What is surprising is that the idea of giving any political leverage to the people of Illinois eventually saw the light of day after languishing in a committee for well over a year in hopes it would die there.

Sen. John Cullerton summed up the matter eloquently for fellow political-autocrats by suggesting the idea of giving "an outside entity" the right to decide if they wished to recall corrupt elected officials or sitting judges would be nothing short of sheer political folly.

What Illinois politician could ever contemplate placing such a deadly weapon in the hands of the people who elected them, pay their salaries, benefits and retirement packages?

So, in short, the people of Illinois had no voice in this important matter. It's been decided.

And if we're ever eventually and finally to rid ourselves of political waste and corruption, and the arrogant tyrants who tax us to death, while denying us our right to representation, we citizens of Illinois must promise ourselves that we will "recall" what was done to us by our elected Illinois senators.

We must promise ourselves, we'll remember their names and their votes.

We must reflect carefully and judiciously upon our votes to retain or not retain, elect or not elect. To remember why we should never again vote a straight party ticket without taking time to know each of the candidates and what they represent.

We have witnessed, once again that "Absolute power...corrupts absolutely."

The question remains, what are we going to do about it here in Illinois?

Patrick J. Dalton

Northbrook