BND readers sound off on football protests, airport parking, taxes
Thanks, Mascoutah
God bless and thank you to the Mascoutah football coach, team and the parents of the players for having values that are so sorely needed in this country right now. We need more people who think like that to heal this country. To each and every one of the kids on that team and the coach, thank you so very much.
Wrong play
The actions of football players to focus attention on the need to work for justice and fairness is an admirable cause, which I believe all Americans should embrace. However, their method to advance the cause is counterproductive. The flag and anthem is our country’s way of recognizing and honoring those individuals who have sacrificed to make its existence possible. By involving the flag and anthem in the protests, players have “obscured the message” and alienated people who share their beliefs. Guys, you are calling the wrong play. The situation is further inflamed by a president who is more interested in dividing than unifying.
Replacements
I have one comment to make to NFL players who disrespect our flag and the national anthem (ordinary rookies who make a minimum of $465,000 per year and run-of-the-mill fourth year players who make $775,000): pray NFL owners have never heard of Reagan’s PATCO solution or seen “The Replacements.”
Slap to veterans
The NFL owners and players just slapped the veterans who fought for their freedoms in the face. All veterans and people who honor our country should boycott their games to send them a message.
Protestor rights
I don’t know why the protestors were arrested on Tuesday night for blocking Interstate 64 in St. Louis. They have a constitutional right to do whatever they want. If they want to congregate and block an interstate or highway, that is their right. After all, if they can block other streets, why not an interstate or highway? These protestors have rights. Let the animals and savages have them.
Disarm Durbin
If U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is truly against firearms for self-defense, why doesn’t he disarm his security guards? If he doesn’t disarm his guards, then it is clear that his life is important to him and not the lives of those he hopes will vote for him.
Deserving Kern
Kern and his bobbleheads are going to reduce retirement and salaries for elected officials starting Jan. 1. Then, Kern and his bobbleheads pass a property tax increase amounting to more than the county needs. Money that will no doubt be dispersed to Democratic friends. Taxpayers, why didn’t you get a chance to vote on another property tax increase? Because you re-elect Kern and the Democratic clowns over and over. Voters deserve what they get if they aren’t smart enough to figure it out.
Tear it down
It is unbelievable that any one from SWIDA, especially Mr. Nations, actually expected our almost bankrupt state to fork out $12 million to finance transforming the Meredith Home into a senior living facility. Were any credible studies done to see if the seniors would be interested in living there? Kudos to the Illinois Housing Development Authority for turning down the request. At least someone is acting responsibly. Tear it down. Build a park.
Free parking?
Parking at MidAmerica Airport has never been free. It cost the St. Clair County taxpayers $8 million to $12 million a year in wasted taxes to allow people to park there. From what I read in the BND, the Kern clowns will even lose money when they start charging for parking. Why do taxpayers elect these idiots?
Kern, Eckert taxes
What costs increase faster than medical costs every year? St. Clair County and Belleville property taxes. Kern and Eckert are spending your tax dollars as fast as the tax money rolls in. Common sense and the BND tell us Kern could save millions a year if he closed MidAmerica Airport. Kern would rather beat a dead horse with MidAmerica Airport and waste $9 million a year than close the airport saving taxpayers $4 million a year. This week, Kern voted to raise your property taxes again by increasing the county multiplier. Then we have Eckert, who will build anyone a sewer line if they contribute to the Democrats. Eckert and his TIF clowns raised your property taxes for more TIF money.
Kern’s nest
St. Clair County board chairman Mark Kern is an expert at “nest feathering.” He liberally spends county taxpayers’ money with the intent of spreading the wealth to as many of his cronies as possible. That explains much of the needless consulting and construction at MidAmerica Airport and elsewhere in the county. For Kern it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.
Exploit diversity
Our nation must focus on its positives rather than inflate the negatives. Exploit diversity. It is a tremendous asset, not a liability.
Give them shelter
As a solution for the homeless couple that was on the front page of the BND, what about all of the banks that have foreclosed on properties in the area? This couple needs help. She’s pregnant with twins and living in a shed. The banks should give them a house. Belleville should give them a house.
No sympathy
To the young, homeless couple that was featured in the BND, I’m sorry, but I do not feel sorry for them. This is a great country. There are jobs. There are 10,000 jobs where the hurricanes just hit. They need to get on a bus or start walking.
St. E’s for me
I had the opportunity to tour the new St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. I am highly impressed with its all-private rooms, large surgical suites, luxurious main street, indoor ambulance bays and an open cafeteria with a balcony. You can see the quality difference between a $300 million full-service hospital and a $94 million satellite hospital. Last time I was at Belleville Memorial, I had to stay in a shared room with a curtain. I can’t wait for St. Elizabeth’s to open.
Hospital eyesore
St. Elizabeth Hospital claims they’re going to tear down the building in Belleville. Not likely. In 2010, they closed a medical facility outside Waterloo in Monroe County. It’s still standing. I imagine that’s what’s going to happen to the building in Belleville. It will remain there as an eyesore.
Resign, Rauner
As a new Republican, I think the Republican party can do a lot better than Rauner. He should resign.
Death for babies
How weird is the state of Illinois? We abolish the death penalty for murderers and rapists. Now, Gov. Rauner wants the state to pay for abortions. No wonder we’re broke.
Liberal utopia
St. Louis — Is this a great city or what? Heroin dealers are revered and police are reviled. It’s a liberal’s utopia.
Facts change
Earlier in the week I was listening to National Public Radio in the morning. They provided numerous reports on the Las Vegas massacre which had just happened the night before. At one point the commentator offered, “Whatever we think is a fact may well change in the hours and days ahead.” That, in a nutshell, is what’s wrong with reporting by today’s mainstream media.
This story was originally published October 8, 2017 at 7:00 PM with the headline "BND readers sound off on football protests, airport parking, taxes."