Speak Out is a reader-generated column of opinions. If you there’s something you’d like to comment on in Elgin or beyond, send an email to ksorensen@tribpub.com. Please include “speak out” in the subject line.

I’ve got mine: Leftist politicians in this country, many who are against conceal carry, are hypocrites. They have their own armed bodyguards protecting them. Good for me, not for thee? Fire your guards so we start on the same footing and then let’s talk about our rights as citizens to protect ourselves!

No incentive to lower prices: We are all suffering from the higher gas prices. The supply-and-demand assumption has gone haywire with having record oil profits. If these higher fuel prices are there to reduce demand, then why shouldn’t the government control this process? The base price of gas should be limited to a level closer to the 2019 pricing while the government could then determines a tax surcharge that attempts to help reduce the demanded consumption. That added revenue could be redistributed to families and those business that are most affected. There is no real incentive for the oil companies to increase production under the current conditions.

Put term limits on court: Has it ever been a good idea to appoint anyone to a lifetime position? Unencumbered by term limits or adult supervision, the Supreme Court is now free to decide our fates for many years to come and we’re only just beginning to realize how long forever can be.

Civility in action:I always loved the 1970 photo where President Nixon and Elvis Presley are shaking hands in the White House. I think it’s fun and a great piece of Americana. I saw it again more recently as part of an online article, and the word civility came to mind. Here are two men from different generations. They lived very different lifestyles, had very different upbringings and personalities. They may have agreed on certain issues and disagreed on other ones. Yet they could still talk for a few minutes in a cordial manner. (For more information on the photo, go to time.com/4894301/elvis- president-nixon-photo.)

Doesn’t make sense: The lockdowns are gone, mask wearing has become almost nonexistent and travel is back to normal. The COVID-19 scare is firmly in the rearview mirror, after several variants of the original strain, although contagious, are on the same level as a mild flu. I find it both interesting and disturbing that America has a shortage of baby formula, but we have plenty of vaccines for the least susceptible of our population.