RETHINKING LIZ GORMAN

For a long time I’ve had a negative opinion of Liz Gorman. Her initial performance as Cook County Commissioner was questionable, she failed to take a leadership role in OP politics and there were questions about her personal life. More recently I have been rethinking my opinion. For one she has taken a leadership role at the County Board to fight taxes.. In the past several OP elections there was no opposition to the McLaughlin Machine. I always questioned, why? She has corrected that by fielding an excellent slate of candidates to run in the April 5th election. I don’t know anything about her personal problems, but in regards to the things that affect me she‘s on the right track.

One thing that bothers me is that the election is more about Liz Gorman than the candidates. She has become the focal issue on why you should not vote for the “Fiscal Voices for Orland”. That’s wrong! No one has made Mayor McLaughlin and his candidates an issue. Why not? His policies and leadership should be in question: no one talks about the large debt that hangs over OP; this was brought out in the last mayoral election. No one talks about his union ties, contributors or help from the Chicago Machine. No one talks about the mailings that deceive you and tell you: there have been no new taxes, what about the new fees, elimination of the rebate and the affect of the TIF’s on your property tax bill? Was he willing to change and compromise on the Orland Plaza? The Mayor and his people won’t change. Liz Gorman has made efforts to change and hopefully has seen the light. I have to give her credit for that. That’s why I say it’s time to rethink Liz Gorman. Think about it. Vote for change on April 5th.

PACZKI AND THE OP ELECTION

On March 8th people lined up at the Orland Park Bakery to buy an estimated. 30,000 paczki. This makes me wonder if people will line up on April 5th to vote in the Orland Park Election. This election is extremely important because it gives the people of OP the opportunity to vote against the McLaughlin candidates: Schussler, Gira and Ruzich. These are some of the people who have worked to close the Orland Plaza , the Orland Bakery and the places where you buy your: meats, groceries, get your haircut, jewelry, morning coffee, flowers, and more. The McLaughlin allies will be responsible for closing 24 stores and sending your friends and neighbors into unemployment. This election should not only be a response to the closing of the Orland Plaza but also against rising property taxes, increased fees, debt, elimination of property tax rebates and a deteriorating OP. It’s about an administration that has squandered the treasures of OP. It’s about 30,000 paczki and a need to start cleaning up the Village, VOTE Tuesday April 5th.

BULLYING

Recently the White House held a conference to condone bullying in schools. I agree we should do what we can to stop bullying. Unfortunately, bullying is not only taking place in our schools and playgrounds. The intimidation, death threats, destruction of property and action of thugs, displayed by adults in Wisconsin, has been irreprehensible. Has any one condoned this type of bullying? Is anyone going to be held accountable? Some of the people doing the bullying are the same ones the White House is calling on to control bullying in our schools. What an example.

WHERE'S THE MONEY

It’s getting very troublesome watching the actions of pickets throughout the United States. You have to wonder if it’s only about union rights. It’s become clear that radicals have infiltrated the ranks with their own agenda under the guise of solidarity. Is this the ideology that the ordinary union worker wants to support his/her cause?

There was a time when Unions served a purpose: namely good working conditions and fair pay. They worked hard for the passage of Fair Labor Laws. Somewhere along the way they got greedy and stopped worrying about change and started concentrating on money and power. Their ideology changed. They were not concerned about where the money was coming from or the consequences. The best example is the destruction of the auto industry. As private sector membership declined they turned to the public sector. As in the private sector they continued to push and get greedy. It was not about producing a good product; it was about power and control. The problem is, government does not produce a tangible product. Government is supported by the taxpayer, not large corporations. Well, the taxpayer is waking up and feeling the pinch. The taxpayer looks into his/her wallet and says” I can’t I afford those salaries, benefits and pensions”. They ask the question, “What’s my return on the dollar”? They find the results to be: failing schools, waste, fraud, corruption, play to pay, favoritism, problems with tenure and on and on? The end results have produced huge deficits throughout the country. The country is broke! The taxpayer knows he must balance his/her budget or lose everything, they cannot print money. They make sacrifices to make ends meet. Government must do the same. It’s time to face reality. We must all stand together and make sacrifices. It’s time for all parties to do what’s best for the country. Once the taxpayer has been bled dry, there will be no money for government salaries, benefits or pensions. There will be chaos. Changes must be made. Workers need to control and cleanup their unions, and taxpayers must control and cleanup government. Things have been upside down too long. It’s time to face the facts and act like adults and deal with reality.

WHERE WAS THE DEBATE

The year 2010 was the year of “Pass the Legislation”. The Congress and Senate were guided around like sheep. Where was the debate, the questions: WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN, HOW and WHO? No time? The leaders didn’t know what they were voting for. “We’ll worry about it later.” My advice this holiday season is that all elected officials watch, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Maybe Jimmy Stewart will give them some inspiration. In their Christmas stocking, I would hope that Santa leaves them some wisdom, sense of duty and a copy of the Constitution.

COMING TO AMERICA?

Recent events in England and Greece should be of concern to all Americans. It’s a signal of what can happen when government gets too big and people become dependent on entitlements. There comes a time when everyone must face reality. The question becomes where does all that money come from? Someone has to pay. It’s definitely not governments’ money; it’s taxpayer money paying for those entitlements. Something has to give. Government has to cut costs, unions have to stop demanding and instigating, and everyone has to make sacrifices. There is no free ride. When you’re in a hole you dig yourself out. It is a time that will determine what type of country you will live in.

There are many lessons coming out of Europe. Unfortunately our government believes this is the path to follow, I call it the path to Socialism. It’s big government’s wish to redistribute wealth so everyone can be equal. We saw what happened when Freddie and Fannie provided everyone with the opportunity to own a home. The housing market collapsed, leading to high unemployment and huge deficits. This was the initiative that created the problems we are in today. This was government’s approach to change and equality. We were not to be treated as individuals but as collectives.

We must learn from what’s happening in Europe and get back on track. Government must cut back, Union member must regain control of their unions, creativity and ingenuity must be promoted. Dependence on entitlements leads to control of the individual. You lose your identify and become a pawn of the state. If we don’t wake up and pay attention, it may be too late. Europe is not a model to follow, we must return to basic free market principles and individualism. The best model and hope for freedom is and will always be the Constitution of the United States of America.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR

During the past election candidates stated that they recognized the fact that Washington wasn’t listening. Have you heard the recent clamor over airport security, it’s loud and clear. Unfortunately, Washington has a problem hearing it. They do what they want, and ignore alternatives. Are they listening? Does it make sense to grope grandma or a 3 year old? They’ve lost the ability to reason and use common sense. Washington has become so arrogant they now feel they know what’s best for everyone. The problem is, what’s good for America doesn’t seem to be good for the elite in Washington. They’ve begun to act like dictators. Could you please tell me why Washington’s elite are given a pass at airports? They’re no better than anybody else. Why is Washington getting salary increases when social security is frozen? Why is Congress exempt from Obama Care? Why is it that more and more large companies are getting waivers from the new health care law? Shouldn’t everyone be treated the same. Why is it that we keep spending when we’re broke? Tax paying America is paying for this fiscal mess through higher prices and taxes. We’ve mortgaged our future to China, and Washington thinks nothing of it.

What a mess. Washington listens to Unions, lobbyists, billionaires who don’t know what to do with their money and far left ideologues. The average American is being shut out. This is not the America I grew up in or believe in. Main stream America will only take so much. Washington has exceeded its boundaries by ignoring the voices of the people. The battle is to restore America not destroy it. Maybe it’s time for Washington to start paying attention to the people. Maybe it’s time for Washington to feel the pain. Maybe it’s time to listen.