Facts in Slowik’s column all wrong
After reading Ted Slowik’s column, “Impeachment matters to the south suburbs,” published Jan. 17 in the Naperville Sun, I have a hard time understanding where he is obtaining his information. There are so many inaccuracies in the article, I am amazed it was allowed to be published.
He maintains Trump has fought to undo policies that benefit lower income families (such as requirements to work to continue food stamps) and driven massive tax cuts for wealthy people, thereby promoting a “wealth gap.” He wrote the economy is not humming along and Illinois residents’ home values are declining. These positions are reprehensible.
The mandate that food stamp recipients work if they’re capable has been on the books for decades. Low unemployment has triggered that — there are jobs available everywhere. Tax cuts create more saving and spending that benefits all levels of income — that is a fact.
Declining Illinois house values are due to the insolvency of the state and the current pension crisis. This is exclusively a problem brought on by incompetent Illinois politicians and is only going to get worse. The Illinois “exodus” continues due to that.
We have been experiencing a growing economy for over a decade. The jobless rate is extremely low and income is rising for lower earning individuals faster than ever. These facts are all in the public domain and are indisputable.
Mr. Slowik, please do your research before writing another inflammatory article like this.
Mike Siemann, Naperville
Meghan and Harry column ignores race issue
I just read Hilary Decent’s column on the decision by Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, to give up their positions in the royal family.
I hope she will take time and look at the contrast between news articles written on Meghan and those written on Prince William’s wife, Kate. Meghan is routinely criticized for acts that were accepted or praised when performed by other royals.
It is hard enough to be a woman of color in normal life, not to mention in a fish bowl with people criticizing your every move. I knew there were class issues in the U.K., but I was crushed by the realization there are race issue as well. I thought that was beneath the U.K. Chalk that up to my ignorance.
I would like to believe Hilary’s piling on was unintentional, as many caucasians are impervious to the plight of people of color. People generally don’t see injustice unless or until it happens to them, but she seems to be more enlightened.
I don’t pretend to have more than a passing interest in the royal family (except I loved Princess Di) and I am no scholar on the subject, but I am asking Hilary to take another, more objective look at the situation and try to see it from the position of the people who are the recipients of all of the vitriol. I think she might see it differently.
Anita Lesniewicz, Flossmoor
Legal pot going to be bad news for teens
I am writing to you to share my thoughts on Naperville opening dispensaries for recreational marijuana.
I am a high school student and I don’t think it is a good idea to sell marijuana legally. It will harm the community and it is too easy for underage kids to get a hold of. Adults can easily just buy marijuana and then just sell it to underage teens who are willing to buy.
In my school, we already have a big problem with kids leaving class and entering the bathroom to start vaping. I can only imagine how much worse this would get if these kids were to start using marijuana products.
Even if they weren’t to use marijuana in school, they wouldn’t be afraid to show up high to school. This would be a large problem and would bring down school productivity. Even though they are underage, I would not be surprised if a couple of the teens could get their hands on some marijuana or a fake I.D.
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Stephen Cross, Naperville
If life’s passing you by, do something about it
I read Jerry Davich’s column on the older woman being lonely. I know someone with a mindset similar to the person he wrote about.
Sadly, unless you take action, life will indeed pass you by. I remember my dad saying to do what you want to do at a young age. He knew many friends who put things off with plans to do whatever they wanted when they retired. They ended up dying before they could accomplish their dreams.
I think folks with this mindset are the glass-half-empty types. There are countless activities for older folks. Volunteering is a very satisfying activity. I am surprised this woman is not more involved in her church. Just getting out and going for a walk, jog or bike ride makes the day go by in a better way.
There is even an app called Meet Up to connect with others. I live in Naperville and there is always something going on.
Life is what you make it, I guess. Lately it does sometimes seem like we are living in some alternate universe. But I find trying to be positive and just being nice to people helps me rise above the muck.
Joanne Kaplan, Naperville
hed
Bless Jerry Davich for his column in the Naperville Sun about going back to the musical instrument he used to play. I needed a kick in the sax.
I am 75 years old and retired. Until 2018, the last time I played a musical instrument was a clarinet in our high school band. I always wanted to play a saxophone because I like jazz and, back then, I wanted to attract the female classmates. Playing a sax seemed the cool way to go.
Because my parents were not willing to pay for a second instrument, I lost interest in my clarinet and did not join my college band. But I never got over wanting to learn to play the sax.
Then, in 2018 and being retired, a tenor sax picked me on a neighborhood internet network and I purchased it and began to take lessons.
I loved the tenor sax but discovered at my age (or because I smoked for 50 years), I did not have the wind to hit the low notes. An alto sax my neighbor was giving away was an answer to my prayers.
I was able to learn how to play all the notes but I began to get bored with lessons and wanted to strike out on my own with popular songs. Even with the newly purchased alto sax, I lost my motivation and it had been several months since I picked up my “axe” — until I read Jerry’s column.
I am now inspired and, thanks to Jerry, I’m going to realize my new year’s resolution, pick up the sax and live, once again, in my “cool” world. As he wrote — “Till death do us part.”
Fred Staub, Naperville
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