Recently in Politics Category

Gen. Stanley McChrystal has requested as many as 40,000 additional troops for the fight in Afghanistan, warning the U.S. could lose the war without the additional help. But with all indications pointing to a corrupt Afghan national election and a weak and corrupt Afghan government, many critics are wondering if the war is winnable and if the U.S. and NATO forces should cut our losses and pull out now. Eight years into the war effort, the U.S. presence in the country doesn't appear to be near the end of its mission, and the situation actually appears to be worse than it was years ago.

On the other hand, remember why American troops went into Afghanistan. It's Taliban government, besides brutally oppressing its people and forcing them to live a primitive lifestyle without education or culture, was also harboring al-Qaeda and numerous foreign terrorists. Should the U.S. pull out, it seems likely the Taliban would come charging back, punishing all those who dared to embrace the Americans and our democratic reforms. One can imagine the video coming out of the country as Osama bin Laden and other terrorists gloat over their victory over the Western forces. And with Pakistan finally moving against militants in that country, we would seem to be leaving just when there was the possibility of some progress.

Do you think the U.S. should send more troops, maintain troop levels, or pull out before more Americans are lost?

How come Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate, is faced with questions about whether she could juggle the demands of the position on top of raising five children? Would a male candidate in a similar situation face the same questions?

Is this fair? Why or why not? How is this double standard able to exist?

A two-part series beginning in Sunday's Sun explores pensions for public-sector employees. Part I delves into city pensions: how pensions for police officers, firefighters, public works employees and others are funded. A typical 30-year veteran of a municipality these days can expect to collect about $72,000 a year for the rest of his life. And often that person will be in his 50s when he retires.

Part II explains how the burden for funding teacher pensions falls mainly on the state. Still, the income and sales taxes you pay are expected to pay for these comfortable retirement plans.

These days, it's hard to find comparable benefits packages in the private sector, where 401(k) and similar programs designed to help individuals supplement expected Social Security incomes are the norm. Employers often make a modest match, but nothing like the 9 or 10 percent matches that municipalities and school districts kick in.

Given the state's financial situation, it's clear that pension reform is needed. Match amounts are determined by state law. Yet lawmakers seem to lack the political will to even consider reform, what with the clout wielded by unions.

How do we fix this problem? How do we even start? Or, do you even agree that there is a problem? Maybe you think the current pension systems are fair and sustainable, that it will always be the responsibility of taxpayers to fund these programs. It seems unlikely that any proposal to reduce pensions would ever pass--it would be political suicide for any politician to support that.

OK, then, here's a thought: If state law forces local taxpayers to pay for these generous $6,000-a-month retirement plans, what about getting the state or federal government to increase income taxes on those who collect public-sector pensions? Then the recipients at least would have to kick back enough until a fair balance is reached.

What other thoughts or ideas about public-sector pensions do you want to share?

Pardon us for being blunt, but this is getting ridiculous. Peoples' lives could be at stake.

You still mean to tell us, oh wise ones at the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, that Plainfield -- one of the fastest-growing communities in one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation -- doesn't have enough need for a hospital of its own. Right.

Try telling that to the Plainfield families caught in traffic trying to get to Naperville's Edward Hospital or one of the other full-service hospitals in Aurora or Joliet that are miles and precious minutes away.

Twice before the petition has been denied. We're sure it had nothing to do with Edward CEO Pam Davis blowing the whistle on the pay-to-play-on-steroids corruption at the IHFPB. Her defiance probably brought down Tony Rezko, after all. Nah, that couldn't have anything to do with it. What did the board say last time, out of the blue? That Edward should build a women's hospital? What the hell is that??!!!

Sorry, but we're passionate about the blatant unfairness Edward has had to endure for years. Meanwhile, the Bolingbrook hospital was approved, built and opened. A Joliet hospital's wish to move to New Lenox is granted. And other proposals sail through.

Are we right? What do you think? Will the board on Tuesday finally approve Edward Plainfield Hospital? Or will it deny it, again? Or delay action, again?

UPDATE 3:15 p.m. TUESDAY: The state board once again denied the petition for Edward Plainfield Hospital.

Sunday's Sun features a story about a woman directly impacted by the new Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, cosponsored by the member of Congress who represents Naperville, U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert. President Bush recently signed into law the measure, which protects people against discrimination because of genetic disposition.

In our story, a woman with a family history of breast cancer and ovarian cancer worries about being denied employment or health insurance because of her genetic predisposition. The new law will protect her and others like her.

How worried are you that you might be the subject of genetic discrimination? What concerns do you have about privacy, or other facets of the new law?

Another sign that Democrats are gaining traction in DuPage County is that a Democratic challenger for the solidly red 13th Congressional District is setting fundraising records and drawing the attention of national Democratic party officials for the first time. How good are Democratic Scott Harper's chances against Republican incumbent Judy Biggert in the fall?

On Wednesday members of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce head to Springfield. They're scheduled to meet with House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and others to talk about legislative priorities. What topics do you think ought to be on the agenda?

As jury selection gets underway for the corruption trial of political fundraiser Tony Rezko, people in Naperville are left to wonder what role will Edward Hospital play in the proceedings.

The Ballot Integrity Project has gotten some ink of late, with its tireless criticism of the DuPage Election Commission. Now state Republican Party officials are charging that the Ballot Integrity Project is nothing more than a front for left-wing Democratic organizations, when it had positioned itself as nonpartisan.

As recently as a few days ago, DuPage County clung to its belief that it was the greatest Republican stronghold in Illinois and one of the nation's reddest counties by hosting not one but two of the GOP frontrunners for the presidential nomination--John McÇain and Mitt Romney. Then election day came, and for the first time in history more voters in DuPage picked Democratic ballots than Republican. What's going on?