LaSalle Insider

I have to admit I am hard pressed to find something to write about lately. While the Federal government is trying to decide whether to raise the debt ceiling the State of  Illinois is losing out on savings in medicare/medicaid because the feds say you can’t ask someone to prove they are a citizen as well as poor enough to qualify for the benefit they would receive. What a great country!  In Chicago Mayor Emanuel blew his top because he was asked about his children going to private school.  Nothing wrong with sending  them there but why then don’t you support freedom of choice for those going to Chicago Public Schools? And locally I read that LaSalle is planning on spending more on going after bad buildings next fiscal year. At the rate of spending currently there may not be a “next fiscal year”.

The sad truth today is that we may be the first generation to hand forward a lower standard of living to our children.  They may end up living in smaller homes, with smaller cars,and less of life’s luxuries that those before them enjoyed.  We have governments on all levels spending far to much and overtaxing a shrinking working class!  There are to many dependents and not enough workers to provide for all their demands.  Unless we turn this ship of State around soon we will lose our standing in the world as the greatest country and along with it any credibility in the financial markets.

Someone needs to explain to me that if we can’t service the debt of 14 trillion with our current debt ceiling, how can we service the debt a higher debt ceiling will provide?

Let me offer a possible solution.  If we are sending the finest military machine to points around the world and bearing the costs to solve other Nation’s problems, shouldn’t they reimburse us?  Iraq has oil reserves they can use to cover some if not all of our costs for being there.  Afghanistan has the money to defer some of our costs at the very least! I don’t want our military to become mercenaries but difficult times call for difficult decisions.  If these countries don’t want us or want to pay us then in most cases it’s time to come home. Don’t you agree?

I know it gets very depressing reading about this stuff so let me leave you with a positive note….. I thought the title of the article would be a tip off…  Mayor Jeff will be getting married soon.  I believe the date is August 8th.  Congrats to him and his soon to be new Bride!

Now …..don’t you feel better?

In reading the local paper I see that some things never change.  LaSalle keeps advertising in every pullout section they can. We were one of only four cities congratulating Spring Valley on their 125th anniversary.  The others were Mendota, North Utica, and Granville.  Apparently Oglesby ,Peru, and Ladd don’t recognize them as a city….or maybe they are at War!

Mayor Jeff didn’t put the checkbook away until he bought another ad in the same addition in the North Central Illinois Shopping Guide June/July 2011 edition.  There we are on page 6 and page 7 extolling everyone to  Shop LaSalle and “keep your hard earned dollars working here at home!”  You can spend your inheritance dollars or gambling winnings anywhere you like…..we just want the “hard earned dollars”  Our ad also invites everyone to celebrate LaSalle at Hegeler Park.  Enjoy kids games, dream wrestling, great bands, etc.  Only problem is.. that took place LAST MONTH!!!! (June 10, 11, 12th)  They sure have a crack team of editors in that advertising department at the News Trib.  But that doesn’t matter we still get our name in the paper, that’s all that matters.  I should mention that no other city advertised in this addition of the shopping guide so I’m sure sales tax revenue for this month will soar!

Is it just me or has anyone noticed that our fine local paper does not post the fact that a Council meeting is scheduled to take place.  All we get is a story the day after….I thought that we had a legal responsibility to let the Public know when these meetings are going to take place….but wait, there’s no money to be made taking up column inches with that information. Save it for more ad space!

Good Luck to our Sister City (Peru).  I hope they get that “time card” thing worked out.  If their workers are forced to punch a clock will that mean LaSalle will be next???  Since we have AFSCME  will that have to be a negotiated issue?  Just askin???

Here we are on the eve of our country’s birthday and I cannot remember a time when I felt less confident about our Nation’s future.  We are experiencing the worst financial times I have seen , the unemployment rate  is staying constant or slightly increasing and the feeling amongst most Americans is that our greatest days are in the rear view mirror.  Our children and grandchildren are inheriting a debt they may never be able to pay and those in power say we need to raise the debt ceiling even higher!  When will this madness stop and who created it?  The short answer is probably not before November of 2012 and those so called leaders in D.C.

The bloom is off the rose when it comes to President Obama.  We have realized by now he is not and never was the Messiah!  Many of us knew in 2008 but their wasn’t much of an effort put up by the opposing party to offer an alternative.  So what happened?  Those looking for a moment in history chose Obama and made him the answer for all the country and the world’s problems.  The said truth was he was and is not experienced enough for the job. He has reached his level of incompetence and we as a country are paying the price!  Those who spoke out in 2008 were labeled as racist’s when any question of his readiness was brought up.  We now know that was a weak shield after his “leadership” has been on display for over two years.

We face a similar situation here in Illinois with Governor Quinn. He is another example of someone reaching his level of incompetence.  Were it not for Governor”Blago’s” impeachment and removal from office Quinn would never have seen the master bedroom in the Capital.  He will and should be gone after the next election.  He stood up and defended Rod when he knew he was a crook because of party loyalty.  It’s time for some taxpayer loyalty and we won’t see that till his group is gone.

And what’s happening here in LaSalle?   We have a Mayor who wants to spend your dwindling tax dollars on newspaper ads and “family friendly” events.  The once announced new location for Ancare has been put on hold indefinitely due to EPA issues about remains on the property and who bears the responsibility of correcting that situation.  Boggio’s  purchase of a city lot has not taken place and rumors suggest that it won’t happen at all.  The idea of building  a new Dollar General Store seems to have been shelved as well. Good news is that our Economic Director will see his new assistant starting July 11th.  I’ll bet that will turn things around quickly!

If I sound negative please excuse me…there is hope.  The hope lies where it always does…..in each of us, not those currently in office.

We as voters put them there and we can show them the door just as easily. Our Country’s greatness is in its people not its leaders.  It always has been. We survived after Jimmy Carter, Dan Walker, etc.  The key word is “after”!

We need to hang in there till we can dump the bums and elect those who are qualified.  We need to cut our losses and move forward with new leadership. Those individuals who want to right the ship, not own it, or live on it for a career.  Support term limits and those who realize we don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem!

Have a safe and fun Fourth of July!  Avoid listening to any elected official who wants to ruin your day by talking about himself/herself.  Talk to each other instead and realize we are the ones who will correct this problem…and it starts on the next election day!

God Bless America!