What’s Speak Out?
Speak Out allows readers to comment on the issues of the day. Email Speak Out at speakout@southtownstar.com or call 312-222-2427. Please limit comments to 30 seconds or about 120 words and give your first name and your hometown.
Ted Slowik’s column on the recent $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill continues down the path of divisiveness. He sets up the whole column as partisan politics blaming GOP extremists for not supporting the bill and running out of office the members who voted in favor. What concerned constituents oppose is our government selling spending on necessary infrastructure but passing $1.2 trillion in spending of which only $550 billion is earmarked for infrastructure, including our water and public transit. Even less, $110 billion, is set aside for roads and bridges, which the column uses as an example. If you want broad political and general support from both sides of the aisle, be more transparent on the dollar amount in these bills for needed items as opposed to using more than 50% to fund other unnecessary hidden pork projects.
David, Homer Glen
Ted Slowik quoted Rep. Marjory Taylor Greene as calling Republicans who voted for the infrastructure bill traitors. We elect our representatives to Congress to act in our best interest and for the good of the nation, not for the benefit of a party, an individual or themselves. Those Republican representatives
who voted in favor of this bill are the true patriots. Those who chose to label them traitors are themselves turning on their country in favor of a party or individual. It is a shame that we lose the services of loyal Americans like Adam Kinsinger because the adherents to Trumpism make it impossible to serve in this Congress and still be patriotic to the United States.
Al, Tinley Park
I want to give a shout out to the Orland Park Police Department. An officer helped me get back into my home when I locked myself out. I feel much safer now, more than ever. Thank you.
Katie D., Orland Park
Now that Thanksgiving is over, I wonder how many white parents and grandparents told their children and grandchildren about the real events surrounding the first Thanksgiving. You know, the ones where you talk about how we killed Indigenous peoples and raped them, and on top of all that stole their land. I’m sure you left all of those stories out. Oh, wait a minute, we introduced them to the Bible and Christianity. Well there you go, I guess we’re even and all is forgiven. Marv, Bridgeview