Letters to the editor

By Ed Klein, Peoria IL A recent report revealed that upwards of $1.1 billion is spent by U.S. taxpayers on medical, educational and other social benefits for illegal immigrants. Many communities are facing financial hardship because, in some cases they are bound by law to provide these services whether the recipient...
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By Merle Widmer, Peoria County Board Member The schools blame the parents for poorly performing kids. The parents blame the schools for poorly performing schools. There is plenty of blame for both. But a closer examination is required. Where did the parent-parents come from? Let’s go back 2-3 generations. Didn’t...
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By Ed Klein, Peoria, IL If you read the paper or watch the news on TV, you are more than likely aware of the Phelps clan – those pustules on the face of humanity who hide behind the First Amendment to assault us with their homophobic venom at funerals of American...
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By Steve Fairbanks, Peoria, IL In his “Straight Talk” column in the March issue of the Community Word, Roger Monroe chided a Peoria County Board member for a “blistering personal attack” on a fellow board member. He also accused the board member of “grandstanding.” Monroe then goes on to call the U.S. Speaker of...
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by Ed Klein, Peoria, IL Does anybody remember what John F. Kennedy, our first Catholic president, said to those concerned that the Vatican would be dictating U.S. policy? “I believe in an America,” he said, “where no Catholic prelate would tell the President — should he be Catholic — how to act.” Well,...
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by Diane Vespa, Peoria, IL Although I cannot vote for Rachael Parker in a Democratic primary, I still very much support her in her bid for County Board. As I lobbied aggressively for changes within District 150 (School Board), Rachael Parker was one of the few board members who addressed regularly the concerns of parents and...
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By Jim Perez Communications Director Rachael Parker for County Board With the Feb. 2 primary a few days away, voters are being left in the dark about the political backdoor dealings that are manipulating the Peoria County Board races to help the status quo remain in power. In the 1st District, Bonnie Hester didn’t want to...
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by Ed Klein, Peoria, IL How many of you, watching the recent TV news, reading about town hall meetings, rallies and other far right-sponsored gatherings, wonder at the angry, hate-filled rhetoric, outright lies, gross misrepresentations and irrational, screaming outbursts? Get government out of our healthcare system! Don’t let government get between us...
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by Dolores Klein, Peoria, IL The late Nixon speechwriter who took credit for Spiro Agnew’s “nattering nabobs of negativism,” William Saffire (who critics accused of trumpeting various Clinton scandals that were never borne out by facts), is described in recent obituaries: “He started grabbing bits of information and wrapping them in the tightest...
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by Dolores Klein, Peoria, IL State Representative Lou Lang recently spoke at a celebration of Women’s Equality Day, a national recognition of the addition in 1920 to the U.S. constitution of the 19th Amendment. He is dedicated to the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which was passed during the Nixon Administration, supported by...
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