Lots of new laws but big issues ignored

Our highly-esteemed, Democratic-controlled legislature in Illinois is ringing in the New Year with 275 new laws that take effect Jan. 1.

Perhaps a sane person would assume one of these new laws would address critical issues in Illinois, such as the 11 percent unemployment rate, the loss of 175,000 private sector jobs, being ranked 48th in the nation in economic performance, $20 billion in bonded indebtedness, or maybe that 736,000 residents have fled Illinois over the past decade due to the excessive taxes and hostile business culture that our state offers.

No, our Illinois legislature tackled the "really" important issues facing each of us every day. A few of these "really" important laws include special license plates for the Teamsters, barring credit card companies from offering free T-shirts to college students, requiring bowling alleys to post warning signs of wearing bowling shoes outside while bowling, and establishing Feb. 5 as Adlai Stevenson day in honor of the former Illinois governor. I understand Rod Blagojevich may have been their first choice, but it is likely he will not be available to celebrate this special day in future years.

Perhaps some of these new laws have good intentions, but we all know which road is littered with good intentions.

Buckle up Illinois! The ride there is going to be rough unless we vote out the current regime that put us on this road in the first place.

David Pfeifer

Waukegan