Morris has backing of many veterans
I want the candidates opposing Kirk Morris in the election to know that he has the support of veterans like myself in the 8th district.
I am a veteran Marine who's served not only in Korean conflict but Lebanon and various campaigns in the Pacific rim. I'm very proud of my service in the United States Marine Corps, but I am humbled when I look a the new generation of brave Americans who are selflessly serving our country today.
Our Congresswoman, Melissa Bean, has done little to help veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, and she has undercut them in voting to withdraw them without victory. Whether you approved of the reasons we sent troops to Iraq or not, the fact is, they are now there. Our brave men and women in uniform are in the Iraq to stabilize the country, and give the Iraqi people a shot at democracy. They are also there to give the United States a friend in the otherwise hostile Arab world.
As to this character Ken Arnold who decided to run for Congress, I do not know what his agenda is. But I would warn him not to personally attack Kirk Morris or his family. Some of us Marines may take it personally, and work hard to make certain all of our votes go only to Morris. Kirk's son, Geoffrey Morris, is a Marine Corps hero, and he died fighting for our country, not in some accidental "random act of war."
I am glad to see a gold-star father take a stand for our troops and their mission. Kirk Morris knows the potential sacrifice a family can make when America goes to war. I have also seen him take the grief from losing a son in battle and take motivation from this tragic loss to make a difference. Some of the stands Kirk Morris takes are on the right track. His agenda to keep the tax breaks by voting to make them permanent I wholeheartedly agree with. His thoughts on health care and Social Security and other issues including immigration were refreshing.
Kirk Morris has spent countless hours helping veterans and the families of veterans, and has what it takes to be our Congressman. He really cares about people.
Larry C. Szempruch
Gurnee
Why would Condell expand after loss?
I read in the newspaper today about Condell Medical Center's future expansion. Condell is going to add on with a cost of many millions of dollars, and the question is why and where will they get the money?
Blue Cross supplies about 20 percent of the people who use Condell Hospital, and as of Oct. 1, 2007 they will no longer be welcome at Condell Hospital! Condell said they are losing money on Blue Cross, and Blue Cross is saying Condell want's to get paid more then the other hospitals!
If I have a factory and I am losing money on 20 percent of the people I sell to and I stop selling to them -- which means I lost 20 percent of my base -- am I going to keep adding on to my factory after losing that 20 percent? I think not, but Condell Hospital is going to keep adding on after losing 20 percent of the people that use the hospital. Why?
I live near the Wisconsin border and have checked with their hospital, and they will welcome people from Blue Cross in the Chicago area. I guess they use their money more careful then Condell Hospital does!
Ken Schemmel
Antioch
Smoke ban just might help casinos
Casinos are worried that they will lose revenue if smoking is banned. Have they thought about the money they are currently losing because non-smokers don't like sitting next to a smoker?
Last week I went to a casino for the first time (in Illinois) and three times I got up and left the table because a smoker came up and sat next to me. I play blackjack and roulette. Instead I just walked around the casino for a while, waiting until I could find a table with non-smokers.
Finally, I left after only a few hours instead of the day I was planning on spending there. All that time I could have been gambling, not to mention the fact that I doubt if I will return until the ban is in place.
Barbara Brown
Arlington Heights