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.
Pork in infrastructure bill? There is no question that our infrastructure sorely needs upgrading after so many years of neglect. The real question is how much of the recently passed bill is allocated to real infrastructure improvements and how much is allocated for special interests? Do we really have to pass the bill to see what’s in it? It would be nice to see our media give the populace more information as to what is really being proposed rather than harping on the fight between the parties.
Past is in the past: There are very few saints in the world. Many people can look back at indiscretions in their life due to upbringing, neighborhood, etc., but, hopefully, we grow up and we learn that is the wrong way to be. So, we should be judging a person for who she/he is today and not going back 10 or 20 years to find some impropriety. If they are still being improper now, then go after them. If you’re attacking who they were, then maybe it’s time you took a good look in the mirror.
We might be paying for losses: While there may be a natural gas shortage, it’s not unrealistic to think part of the sharp price increases are also because of the millions of gas bills that were not paid last winter. Like the oil companies during the first half of the pandemic when we weren’t driving, Nicor and gas heating suppliers across the nation have huge revenue shortfalls to replenish. Whether it’s bankruptcies, loan defaults or forgiveness, unpaid fees and fines, etc., someone has to make up the losses. For gas companies, this winter it’s us.
Calling out cowards: Paul Krugman’s column about the cowards and the crazies in the Republican Party hit the nail on the head. He mentioned the governor of Alabama, who was originally for vaccines and has now turned herself around cowardly to say people should not be mandating vaccines. The people he doesn’t mention are also cowards, like Mitch McConnell and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy who know better.
People love Trump: If it is a broken record, why don’t you quit playing it? I think most folks love Trump because they just can’t stop talking about him.
Define taunting: The Bears got a 15-yard penalty against the Steelers for taunting. Why did Aaron Rodgers never get a penalty for taunting when he ran the ball in against the Bears and yelled to fans, “I own you.” Why, when a team scores a touchdown, can players go into the end zone, make faces and hold the ball up and there’s no taunting penalty on that team. What is the difference?