If you toss the rest, keep Noland

Working people and the unemployed have become justifiably disgruntled with Illinois politicians right now and might stay home in November, or are being encouraged by some to vote against any incumbent running for state office.

The choice of staying home during the fall elections will only resolve that we are content with a government that is seriously broken. Voter apathy in November will only ensure a continued decline down the path of high unemployment and the diminishing quality of our public schools. As these issues continue to deteriorate, so does everyone's quality of life.

Voters should be suspicious of any challenges from candidates using the same 1992 political slogans in their fliers that call for more tax cuts. Those phrases may be red meat to one party's constituents, but are a contributing factor toward our present fiscal nightmare.

Michael Noland's grown-up attempt to update our tax structure and replace an unfair one with one that would sustain funding needs now and in the future was honorable. Let's give the senator some credit for trying to find an adult solution to our state's problems.

Noland has preserved and created jobs to Illinois, and that is the key to regaining a healthy economy for our community. He has been one of the most consistent to his principles and to his loyalty to working folks. Always an old school Democrat on social issues, he is also a fiscal conservative who voted against borrowing money to pay for state funding and has taken the heat from his party for it.

Noland can be brash at times and is certainly outspoken, but he is not your typical self-serving politician that says what is popular just to get elected.

Pete Culver

Elgin