Mayor’s Row………..by Ned Mitchell
How would you like to have this woman’s job? Abby Ottenhoff has the dubious title of spokeswoman for the Governor of Illinois. I don’t know Abby and I don’t know how much she rakes in on the job but I would venture to say it is not nearly enough. Imagine this, every other day there is another scandal surfacing on the reformer/unreformer, indictments are handed down, the main guy has now hired the same law firm that represents former Governor George Ryan, all in all its got to be a tough job. Abby’s job is to put a “spin” on the scandal of the day.
The latest one is amusing, almost to the point of being funny. A story hit the news media last week that revealed, surprise, surprise, that a company that suddenly sent down donations totaling $100,000.00 to Mr. “no more business as usual” also has millions of dollars in state contracts for Medicaid contracts. Some of these contracts are no bid contracts I am told. The sudden surge of cash came only six days after the reformer/unreformer signed the highly touted All Kids program which guess what, will involve insurance claims and payment for services.
The company that sent the money, when questioned replied “generally we don’t comment on the specific details of our political giving, but we have met all of our obligations under Illinois law.” That probably is true since Illinois law basically allows our politicians to take all they can get when they can get it. We can’t blame the politicians since it is we peons who keep voting to send them back to Springfield. A logical person would assume that since we keep re-electing them, it is okay by us for them to line their pockets. Never mind that nobody gives you $100,000.00 without some very good chance they will make that money plus much more back in a short time. So it is mine and your fault that this goes on.
For the other side of the story we hear this from Abby “campaign contributions do not give WellCare or any other company an advantage in current or future dealings with the state.” She goes on to say “the idea that they have any advantage defies common sense.” Now I don’t know where Abby got her degree from or where she was raised but to make that last statement I think defies common sense. Are we stupid or what Abby? I would challenge the reformer/unreformer or his spokesperson Abby to stop the next 25 people they meet on the street and test that common sense theory. Taking that a step further lets give it the Sesser test. We just recently advertised and accepted bids for trash service in Sesser. Would you not think it odd if after the winning bid was approved that it was revealed by the media that the Ned Mitchell Campaign Fund (there is no such fund) had accepted $10,000.00 as a campaign contribution? I would think that to be very odd, actually to the point that I would not do that. I know, we don’t run statewide here in Sesser but still since we are talking common sense theory, it would apply. Or how about Cable Television franchises? These companies sell out every other year it seems and the city council has to approve the sale. What if it were revealed that the cable companies were giving city officials thousands of dollars in campaign cash? What would your common sense tell you? Just as I thought, the same thing my common sense tells me.
Can we assume that Abby has no common sense? I hate to make that judgment call without knowing her, but I’m leaning that way. I can read and digest political spin with the best of them, but don’t insult my intelligence Abby by questioning my common sense. My degree is in Journalism from Murray State University. I did not take a common sense class but I do have two wonderful parents who from birth instilled in me a thing called common sense or if you will an ability to know the basic right from wrong thing. Abby, this completely fails the common sense test and it is just plain wrong. You obviously have not graduated from the school of hard knocks like most of us have. Nice try though!
While I am complaining about things as I usually do, let’s take a look at veteran’s issues in this state. We all know someone who is either in Iraq or that area or someone who has been there. Sesser became the first city in the State of Illinois to pass the ordinance outlawing protestors at funerals of war veterans. Now the State of Illinois is going to copy our idea and pass a state law. Interesting indeed! We have many veterans among us from a lot of wars.
It was revealed last week that Illinois veterans rank last in the United States when it comes to job placement. A classic example I am told is going on right now in a southern Illinois county where a wounded veteran of the Iraq war is being denied a job. This person tested for the job, was approved, but because of some political maneuvering was told that another person from another agency in another county who is not a veteran is getting that job. We already know that Illinois veterans have lots of trouble getting medical care. Now here is the real clincher, if you are an illegal alien in Illinois you are given free medical care for your children (All Kids), you are entitled to a no down payment, low interest, guaranteed home loan. The only requirement is that you cannot have a bank account or a valid Social Security number. You also get a break on college tuition and our politicians are trying at this very moment to give a driver’s license to all illegal aliens who meet the age requirement.
And you wonder why I am complaining about things in Illinois! Folks this is just plain wrong but until you and I decide to put the skids to it things will continue down this path. Far be it from me to tell anyone how to vote, you already know how I will vote. Both republicans and democrats have a choice in this upcoming primary. If the above events meet your standard of common sense, then stay with the people that have brought you unlimited cash for themselves. If you think illegal aliens deserve better treatment than men and women who have served their country, sometimes giving their lives, then stick with the program. I know where my ideas are and I know that I am deeply disappointed by what is going on in Illinois. By casting my one vote I am going to do something about it. You are invited to join in on March 21!
On the Sesser front we have some special birthdays to celebrate. Last week Johnny Bursich celebrated his 85th and Walter “Jeff” Vander celebrated his 90th. This week my aunt, Marjorie Dame celebrated her 90th. We hope they all had a fantastic day!
Arnold Becktell is home from the hospital after having a pace maker installed. We have much to be thankful for in Sesser and a card or phone call to these folks would mean a lot to them. Others are in the hospital or assisted living facilities and they would like a card or visit too.
Sesser city directories are available at the water department in city hall or The Print Shop. They are free and each household is entitled to one. The books contain the listed phone numbers and correct mailing address of everyone with a Sesser phone number. They are provided as a joint project by the city and the chamber of commerce. The advertisers paid the cost of the book so be sure and thank them when you do business with them.
If you need us, give us a call at 625-3611 or 625-5322 or email nedmitchell@verizon.net or www.sesser.org or pay us a visit in person. We will do our best to listen to you and help in any way we can.
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