Mayor’s Row………by Ned Mitchell
Are they illegal aliens or are they undocumented immigrants? Alien sounds like some being from another planet and immigrant sounds like what my ancestors were when they came to this country, so we are in a quandary here trying to define those who are in this country illegally. Illinois has one of the fastest growing populations of illegal immigrants in the nation. That is worth examining.
Consider the reformer/unreformer governor’s much heralded “All Kids” health insurance program. We have a way in this state and country now of naming our laws so our politicians can get the proper spin on the idea they want to shove down our throats. Who could be against “Clean Air” or “All Kids”? If you dare to ask a few simple questions like who is going to pay for this, you are immediately branded by politicians and the press alike of being against clean air and kids.
A recent study, which cost me and you a cool $50,000.00 has discovered that the “All Kids” program might just cover about half the kids that we were told would need this coverage. The study also came to the conclusion that it will cover “children whose parents earn less than $40,000.00 per year, have less than a high school education, and are Latino.” This sounds like a perfect description of the average illegal immigrant in this country. On top of that, the reformer/unreformer governor has proposed a home buying scheme that promises low interest rates guaranteed by the taxpayers of Illinois but the main qualification for getting one of these loans is that you cannot have a valid Social Security number. We also offer in-state tuition to our colleges to illegal immigrants in Illinois. Is there any wonder why Illinois is leading the pack when it comes to illegal immigrants in this country? Who is paying for all of this? Why was this study not completed and released before the vote on “All Kinds”? Could it be that folks in Springfield have not forgotten about the election or that maybe they are playing politics? I wonder how people in the legislature who continually march like sheep being led to slaughter to vote for these give away programs for illegal immigrants keep getting elected? I’m all for low interest loans to home buyers, I’m all for all kids having health care and I don’t mind paying my share of the cost involved. I am all against extending these programs to those living in Illinois who are not citizens of this country. Next time you see a legislator out and about pandering for votes, ask them where they stand on these issues and just how they voted.
Last week we were the victims of a campaign onslaught by the reformer/unreformer governor at a press conference touting his “Jobs Bill.” Again, who is against jobs? Not me, we don’t have enough of them. We listened as State Senator Gary Forby told us to “forget all about this being an election year” and State Representative Brandon Phelps admonishing us to “put politics aside”. Now who exactly are these two fooling? I would be willing to forget this is an election year and to put politics aside if those two would be willing to do the same. Unfortunately that is not how the system works and for these two to dribble such foolishness is insulting to the rest of us.
The local press meeting was held at the E. T. Simond’s Construction Company headquarters in Carbondale. And let me be one of the first to say the Simond’s Company is a very good company and completely on the up and up. It is unfortunate that whoever planned this event did not have the ability to think. Having the press conference at a local business gives the impression to everybody that the whole bunch is in cahoots. Would it not have been better to stage the press at a local high school where you could have hundreds of children in need of a new school? The Simond’s people are non-contributors to politicians as far as I know and for the most part are republicans but by having the event on their property it just looks bad to the public. I doubt if the reformer/unreformer would ask my opinion but whoever made this call was not using their head.
Of course the capital bill or “Jobs Bill” is needed in a lot of areas. I question the jobs part of the bill, but here we are again, if you ask questions, you are against jobs. Now we hear from our most famous statesman Glenn Poshard extolling the virtues of this bill to the point that I am convinced SIU will fold up the tent and close it’s doors if the bill does not pass. Does SIU need $48 million dollars? Does Western Illinois University need $46 million dollars? Does the proposed bridge between Illinois and Missouri need $41 million dollars? Does Marion need $55 million dollars to make a 6 lane highway between Marion and Carterville? I am sure every one of the people promoting these and other projects all over the state can make a solid argument as to why they need this money. The local press is even in on this gig. Everybody is for it we are told.
My only question and it is one that the local press has ignored, even failing to ask the reformer/unreformer the simplest of questions. Our legislators who were on hand to promote the concept were not asked this question either. Nobody wants to ask the question so I guess it is up to me to bring this whole concept down to earth so we can all understand it. Who is going to pay for this and how?
Giving it the Sesser test we find that when we needed to build a new sewer plant or extend sewer and water utilities or asphalt streets, we came up with a plan. There was no fancy name, it was just a sewer plant, although some like to be politically correct and call it a wastewater treatment plant. I hate to be the bearer of bad news folks, but it is still a sewer plant. Anyhow when we look around and see things that need to be done to keep Sesser a really great place to live, we come up with ideas. Then we look for a way to pay for these ideas. Before the plan is announced there is a means to pay for the project. The state could learn a lesson here. Identify the projects then tell us how we can pay for them. Quit all this electioneering and playing politics with future generations and tell us how we are going to pay for this bill in particular.
I would compare this to the old adage that people in you know where would like a glass of ice water. The only problem with that is who is going to volunteer to make the one way trip down there to deliver the ice water and who is going to pay for it? I guess we could ask for a lawyer to deliver the ice water since one of my observing friends truly believes they will all end up down there anyhow. So I’ll quit worrying about the election and I’ll quit playing politics as soon as our elected officials are forthcoming with the simple answer of exactly who and how are we going to pay for this.
On the Sesser front a really great lady passed away last week. Former business woman Norma Lee Dame who owned the Fabric Shop for 35 years died Saturday morning in a Mt. Vernon nursing home. Norma Lee, my aunt and a model citizen who added much to her church and to all of us in Sesser was 85 years old. She lived a life that we could all learn from in her every day walk among us. I’m a better person because of Aunt Norma and her unequivocal love and support of me and my family during our journey on life’s pathway. She will be missed by family, neighbors, and friends.
If you need us, give us a call at 625-3611 or 625-5322. Write to nedmitchell@verizon.net or www.sesser.org We welcome your comments anytime.
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