I get so disgusted with this country and its priorities. It's bad enough we pay professional athletes big salaries that have gotten so far out of the realm of necessary and don't seem to be getting dialed back any time soon. Now, I hear on the news the Smithsonian is starting a fundraising page hoping to raise $300,000 to restore the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the “Wizard of Oz”?! Is this a joke? I wish it were. I am the granddaughter, granddaughter-in-law, niece and daughter-in-law of veterans. How about a donation page for heroes, people who sacrificed there lives, people who would have loved to been able to click their heels and say there's no place like home … men and women struggling to pay their bills now and dealing with emotional issues because they spent their younger years in service running into and out of gun fire and death, not running down a yellow brick road singing songs.

Sometimes this country's priorities are so screwed up. Ruby Slippers, give me a break already.

Orland Park

Tinley Park officials have talked ad nauseam about the same things for years. The only change we've seen for at least 20 of them is the deterioration of Oak Park Avenue and its adjacent neighborhoods resulting in blight, skyrocketing tax bills, and four ineffective TIFs. Now there is a push for a branding initiative which officials think will be music to our ears. Sorry, gentlemen. You've had a couple of decades to do something positive and haven't bothered. We've lost the pride of our downtown, neighborhoods, and home values. The only music to our ears will be a restructured orchestra next election.

Tinley Park

You certainly have to hand it to these Democratic politicians regarding their expertise in cashing in at the expense of the taxpayer's pockets. Take for instance, Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin. Where else can you have your salary almost quadrupled overnight from $40,000 to $150,000 as well as set up in line to rake in a pension disbursement of roughly 1 million dollars? You have to love it, right. Thus the old adage about politics, once you're in, you want to Stay In. Oh, yeah, Social Security benefits were increased by .03 percent, whoopee let's party!

Don, Orland Park

Two recent examples of government out of control … Orland Park raising the mayor's salary from $40,000 to $150,000. Tinley Park spending $85,000 to report that they have music in the village.

This is an election where women can determine the outcome of the race for president of the United States, if they vote. Each vote is a voice speaking out against all of the inequalities and indignities that women have endured: unequal pay, the glass ceiling, sexual harassment, and other forms of injustice, inequality and abuse. Each and every vote counts. Each vote will make a difference.

Silent no more! Every woman needs to speak out by voting her conscience to fight back against everything we have endured for so long. So rise up, women of America. Rise up and vote!

Vicki, Homewood

Finally, something I can agree with Ted Slowik on. The Safe Roads amendment is a bad deal for Illinois. Shouldn't our elected officials already be spending our tax dollars as it's intended? We should all have a bad taste in our mouths from the pension amendment that has contributed to this state's financial ruin. How will future politicians abuse this amendment?

The real red flag, both parties want it. It's easy to add and we've found out how difficult to change.

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