Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez’s ex-wife alleged that he spent “incredible” amounts of money on prostitutes and pornography during their marriage (“Alderman: Allegations of paying for sex ‘untrue,'” Aug. 22). The accusations surfaced after the Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy (COGS) petitioned to have a court unseal the divorce records dating to 2012. COGS appears interested in digging up embarrassing information about progressive politicians, and the timing is hardly helpful to Sigcho-Lopez as he seeks reelection.
I’m no fan of organizations whose apparent purpose is to embarrass politicians with old records, posts and allegations. What Sigcho-Lopez did in his personal life more than a decade ago is of little interest to me. But politics are politics, and he understandably felt compelled to respond. Rather than simply call it an old, personal matter, however, Sigcho-Lopez resorted to a familiar (and, frankly, unsavory) tactic of some on the progressive left: Blame Israel.
Sigcho-Lopez’s characterization of COGS as part of the “pro-Israel lobby” appears unsupported by the facts. Publicly available information points to conservative political and media interests, not funding by pro-Israel organizations. If he has evidence that pro-Israel groups are behind the effort to release these records, he should produce it. Otherwise, invoking the “pro-Israel lobby” looks less like an explanation than an attempt to change the subject — and to make Israel the convenient villain in a controversy that has nothing to do with it.
This tactic by progressives is really getting old. Maybe it’s time for Sigcho-Lopez to find a new scapegoat?
— Dean Gerber, Chicago
Out of Trump’s playbook
In response to the article about Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, he uses vindictive mental gymnastics that would sicken any Jesse White Tumbler with a vertebra of rectitude. His denial of his affairs with prostitutes and then misdirection to one of his political foes should indeed make him nauseous, as this is straight out of his chief antagonist President Donald Trump’s playbook.
— Kevin Sussman, Chicago
Canada is taking up slack
In response to the editorial “President Trump’s treatment of Canada is shameful” (Aug. 25): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, along with the rest of Canada, is doing the work of standing up to President Donald Trump’s nonsense, something our elected leaders, and we as a nation, have failed to do.
— Patricia Benenson, Highland Park
SAVE Act’s requirements
I saved myself from the SAVE Act a long time ago when I reclaimed my maiden name after divorcing. This is rare. How many married women have been known for 10, 20, 30, 40 years by their husband’s surname? Most? Probably. The SAVE Act would require them to unearth documents proving they are the person declared “born” by their birth certificate if they are registering to vote or updating their registration.
Perhaps you have those documents. If not, you may not be able to vote as an American citizen until you find them.
The SAVE Act has passed in the House and awaits approval in the Senate. Senators are our only hope right now. Call them. Write them. Tell them how you feel about this undertaking.
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The upside of it passing? Women would begin declining the name change customarily made for marriage. It would make it easier for us to find each other through the years ahead.
— Ruthie Moccia, Columbia, Missouri
The best and the worst
“It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Charles Dickens’ observation holds true even today.
We develop a vaccine that all but extinguishes measles, and now we have the largest measles outbreak in decades. We have the most powerful military on earth but find ourselves now with limited bombs and missiles due to a war we started and can’t get out of. We have a president who hates democratic socialism — which he calls communism, but his besties are the communist despot of North Korea and the despot of Russia.
This two-sided sword cuts even small everyday items. I bought season football tickets to see the new Northwestern University stadium. They said they would put them on my cellphone. I don’t have a cellphone. (The reason is worth another letter.)
Over the decades, I have saved ticket stubs not only from Wildcats games but other Big Ten schools and the University of Notre Dame as well. I have baseball stubs from Fenway Park in Boston to Petco Park in San Diego and many ballparks in between. Also theater tickets from wonderful shows. A memory collage.
Now I have electronic images on my wife’s cellphone, worthless after game day.
The best of times, the worst of times.
— Art Cerf, Park Ridge
Sacrifices will be necessary
When it comes to our $40 trillion national debt, there is plenty of blame to go around.
Presidents going back to Franklin Roosevelt have increased the debt during their terms. Since this has existed for such a long time, there is no political mileage to be gained by partisan supporters to just blame either Joe Biden or Donald Trump.
Congress has also been irresponsible. The Constitution is quite clear in Article I, which states that “the Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States.”
Both political parties have controlled Congress at various times, and they have clearly abdicated their fiscal responsibility by appropriating money for many programs beyond our means.
Of course, emergency spending during the COVID-19 pandemic could not have been foreseen. However, there have been dubious tax cuts, politically motivated earmarks, expanded entitlement programs, and outright waste and overspending in the military. The F-35 fighter program, for example, could eventually cost as much as $2 trillion.
In addition, the American people have to share part of the blame. Insisting on tax cuts and voting for politicians who will, of course, advocate them, has exacerbated the problem. Federal taxes need to be raised along with spending cuts to entitlement programs. Another problem that we will have to face is Social Security since the trust fund will be depleted in 2033, causing cuts to benefits. Adjusting payroll taxes and raising the retirement age will have to be seriously considered.
In order to maintain our economic dominance, tough choices will have to be made by all interested parties including future presidents, Congress and, most importantly, the American people. Realistic expectations on the part of the public regarding taxes and government benefits will have to be addressed in order to avoid a potential economic catastrophe.
Relying on the national government for your every want and need is not an option.
— Larry Vigon, Chicago
How to lower national debt
Our national debt, now at $40 trillion, continues to get worse and worse. It is embarrassing and problematic, and we need help. Badly.
Perhaps America needs to start a GoFundMe page. Billionaires can volunteer large sums of cash without being forced to do so. Millionaires may contribute and then take deductions for charitable contributions. Others may make donations as it is patriotic to do so. Our representatives and senators (and the White House) could be required to tithe from their salaries.
And who knows — maybe friends like NATO and adversaries around the world would chip in to help.
— Scott W. Petersen, Wilmette
Note to readers
Construction on Chicago streets and bridges this summer has created headaches for many drivers. We’d like to hear from you about your frustrations with the delays and the city’s management of the closures and detours. Send a letter of no more than 400 words by Wednesday, Sept. 2 to [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name and city/town.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected].
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