The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
A Potluck of Current News
One liberal Democrat friend said that he was thankful I left town for awhile this winter (there are likely numerous others) so he wouldn't have to read my letters to the editor. Thank God we live in America and can read anything we want.
One thing hard to figure is how much scrutinization is done on George W's National Guard duty. The next thing they will want to know is how many times he went to the bathroom per day. Somehow, some people have the idea that National Guard or Reserve Duty was a second class type of duty. Back in the 1950's and 1960's, everyone eligible had a six year obligation. Many of us in school chose to take six month's active duty (my experience involved being in the Combat engineers). It is not exactly a fun time routinely building bridges, almost every day, for 13 cents per four. Then you had regular monthly meetings and two weeks of summer camp for six years.
Another thing Democratic candidates keep pounding on is the current administration wants to give tax breaks to the wealthy, while hurting the middle class. As written, the upper half income people now pay 95 percent of taxes. It is true the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Why is this? Of course education opportunities have a lot to do with it. What you inherit or who you know are other factors. Expertise in a relevant field is also very important.
Another important factor is how we spend our income. Some people save and invest, live within their means, and thus get richer. Other people spend like a drunk sailor, buy everything on time, with hefty interest and then wonder why they never get ahead. Of course when we have a lousy job market, we have more poor people and less rich.
Some people do not have enough money for groceries for their kids and yet are willing to pay 20 cents per cigarette. They seem to have plenty of money for booze. I read the other day that the American people are wasting more on gambling than they are spending on groceries!
Another astounding fact I recently read is that only one percent of children, born out of wedlock, are now being put up for adoption. No wonder the millions of couples who want to adopt have to go overseas to find a child.
If or when the American people ever get their priorities rearranged properly, we will then have the large middle class we should have. The liberals seem to want everyone in that class, but that will never happen in a Democracy.
It may be time to leave town again!
Weyman George
Macomb
Dear Editor,
Many of you know me from my work in the county. Some of you may now only be acquainted with me since my letter in support of Jim Drozdz for state's attorney appeared in last week's Quill.
Some of you called my home to speak with me regarding my letter. I stand behind it and encourage those who believe we need a change in our state's attorney's office to stand with me to support Jim Drozdz. I assure you that Jim's candidacy is legitimate.
In a race for state's attorney, election laws do not require a candidate to live in the county to run for that office.
The reason for not having a residency requirement is to attract a broader field of qualified candidates. Jim's presence on the ballot is evidence of this reasoning.
How many of you complained during the past two elections that you really didn't have a choice? Well, now you have a choice. Jim's been called an "outsider" because he doesn't live here.
While Jim currently lives in Springfield, he is certainly no "outsider." He has friends and family throughout the county. He and his wife, Barb, have expressed their desire to return to Hancock County.
I like to use this reasoning to explain my position: If your child moves away to attend college and doesn't return until after graduating, does that mean he or she isn't qualified to work here?
Would you expect your child to move before he or she is actually hired for the job? Absolutely not! Jim's situation is no different He's really "interviewing" for the state's attorney position during his campaign. He's taken a moral position and has focused on telling you his qualifications for office without attacking his opponent.
Do you expect Jim to move before he's been "hired" by the voters?
No. But because he lives in Springfield, Jim has to work even that much harder to convince you that he's the most electable candidate.
People often argue that "outsider" candidates don't have a feel for local issues.
Jim is no stranger to the state's attorney's office having worked in this county beginning in 1984 with former State's Attorney Sam Naylor.
Jim is intimately familiar with local issues-from sexual abuse to domestic violence to drugs to murder. He's talked at length with local court officials, police, sexaul assault advocates, and domestic violence counselors.
I believe Jim when he's told me that he'll move to the county if elected. He realizes the importance of being accessible to constituents and law enforcement officials.
Again, I've taken the time to research the candidates. You've trusted me in the past with important decisions that affect you and your family.
I hope you'll trust me when I say that Jim Drozdz is the best choice to be Hancock County's next state's attorney.
/s/ Randy White-Hamilton