RRStar endorsements

1 comment October 22nd, 2008

I find that I must take issue with two of the endorsements our newspaper has made. The first one will be short and sweet. Ron Waite over Greg Tuite? While I agree that neither is a good candidate, I have searched high and low to find something constructive that Ron Waite has done in his many years in office. So far all I have found is that he accepted his pay check every pay day. While Greg Truite has many shortcommings, he has not yet just sat in Springfield and received paychecks that he didn’t earn. Who knows, maybe he might accidentally do something for his constituents. Anything would be better than what we now have.

The second issue I have with the endorsements is the one given to Dick Durbin. It appears that the only criteria for the endorsement is that he has brought home the bacon. That’s great!!! He is buying our votes with our money. In a situation like that, how can he lose?

Maybe there should have been a few other considerations taken when deciding on an endorsement. One would be that, while others in the Senate listened to their constituents and voted against the Immigration Reform Bill, not Senator Durbin. He kept going full speed ahead on trying to get it passed. When it failed, he started attaching parts of it to other bills to get it approved piecemeal and without discussion or transparency. He proved once again that his only concern is for himself so he continues to do the bidding of his party, corporate friends, church and labor union buddies who are also concerned only for themselves.

How long have we been hearing that our Social Security System is broken and needs to be fixed so we don’t run out of money? Well, it must have been fixed and all is well with it because Senator Durbin voted and got passed a bill that extends benefits to illegal aliens. Glad to know that we don’t have to worry about our social security checks anymore.

Then there’s the little thing like a one year moratorium on earmarks. Senator Durbin lead the charge against that too. If he had voted for it he would have had to go an entire year without spending our money to buy our votes. His position only cost the taxpayers $17 billion. Not much when you consider the bailout, but every little bit would help. If there are projects in Illinois, or anywhere else in this nation, the good Senator and his collegues can submit a bill, have it openly debated on the Senate floor and voted on by an informed Senate. Not the sneaky, but normal manner of attaching it to another bill in the dark of night. A method which does not allow for debate, openess or responsibility.

He may have, as stated in the endorsement, attained a lofty position in the Senate, but if he doesn’t represent the voters who put him there for two terms, what good is he?

I hope that the next election the editorial board with consider all aspects of a candidates record and positions and not just how much money he/she can/has brought back to Illinois

Too blessed to be Stressed (despite the economic upheaval)

1 comment October 22nd, 2008

I have enjoyed my tenure as a member of the voters’  panel and will truly miss the interaction with my fellow panel members.  One of the questions posed at our last meeting was, “How is the rough economy hitting you personally?” I am sharing my response with you and trust that will it encourage others faced with a similar situation.  I have always tried to live a frugal, “no frills” lifestyle.  I prepare meals from “scratch” and garden vegetables, avoiding the costly pre packed items.  I had a retirement fund which I believed would sustain me through my senior years.  With fatal and swift irresponsible actions by Wall Street - it was gone. 

I am now in a financial situation where I am seeking substantive employment.  My college degree, unfortunately, is in a concentration where there are nationwide layoffs, workforce reductions and early retirement “buyouts”. I must now “re-tool” for another occupation. I have eliminated all luxuries, i.e. subscription to the daily newspaper, eating out on Sundays, clothing purchases, attending the RSO (Rockford Symphony Orchestra), book purchases, and my food purchases are basic and minimal. I only attend social events and outings which are at no cost.

Despite this, I consider myself a blessed individual because I have overcome three bouts with cancer, have a adult child who is healthy, succeeding in her career and advanced degree academic pursuits.  Blessed also because I live in one of the best countries on earth. I am looking forward with a positive attitude about my future and the future of our country, never backward because I know where my strength lies.  I am here by grace, a true survivor.  I encourage each of you to look to the future with optimism because our present situation is only a bump in the road; the journey will improve if we faint not.

 

 Dyanna Chandler