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 [email protected]. Please include “speak out” in the subject line.
Gotta ask: Why are baseball players wearing all this jewelry around their necks? One player was wearing a pearl necklace. Seems like it would be a distraction. Saw another player running the bases with the chain in his mouth. I don’t think it’s a good image for the game.
Mind your manners: In our isolation caused by COVID-19 we’ve forgotten how to interact with one another. Violence is a reoccurring theme on airlines, at school board meetings and the hallways of public schools. Instead of vaccine mandates maybe we should simply return to social distancing until we’re ready to act like rational human beings again.
Back in the olden days… If only turning back the clock this weekend meant a step back in time, when flu-like symptoms was nothing more than the flu and getting on a plane or attending a school board meeting didn’t require an act of courage. Those were the days!
Stubborn not an excuse: I cannot see why people don’t want to get this vaccination. You’re not going to put my children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren at risk because you’re stubborn.
This is a fair increase: It seems as if some people are never satisfied in reference to the 5.9% increase in Social Security benefits for 2022. The increase will help pay for higher prices of heating and groceries. At least you can use the money to add to your budget. Getting 1% or 2% was just a drop in the bucket. Comments stating it’s unfair people staying home living totally free on the government are getting 27% more in food stamps ignore that a lot of those people are disabled or living below the poverty line.
Crazy way to respond: Many “progressives” are planning to reject President Biden’s infrastructure and/or Build Back America initiatives, some threatening not to vote for Democrats in the next election because the incentives don’t go far enough. This is the height of stupidity. I also would like these initiatives to go further but I am not willing to throw the baby out with the bath water. The answer to getting through more progressive legislation is to elect more progressives, not by allowing the opposition to win.