The following Letter to the Editor appeared on pages 10-11 of the Sept., 2011, edition of "Business & Commercial Aviation."  It may have also appeared elsewhere, since it was submitted to several aviation publications, some of which expressed interest.


President Barack Obama demonizes those who fly on business jets, as though it was the ultimate in luxury.  The fact of the matter is that these jets enable executives to conduct company business more expeditiously.  If they use the jets for personal business (such as a trip to a resort for a weekend), or if a family member, not connected with the company, accompanies them on a business trip, the value of the trip must be reported as income for tax purposes.  Some companies may even require some type of reimbursement for the cost of the flight.

When the president flies on Air Force One to conduct the business of the nation, he is using it for the purpose for which it was intended.  Unfortunately, presidents have grown accustomed to treating the aircraft as a perk of the office.  Obama flies to various cities for political fund-raisers, with the amount of money raised far surpassed by the cost of the flight (plus the cost of security, meals, accommodations, etc.), and the taxpayers pick up the tab.  When he flew to Chicago to celebrate his 50th birthday, the taxpayers also paid for it.

When Obama uses Air Force One, the ultimate business jet, for non-government business, he should report it as income on his tax return, and he should reimburse our financially strapped government.  This of course, would put him into bankruptcy.

Daley should pay his way  

Mayor Richard M. Daley has grown so accustomed to living a life of luxury, at our expense, that he feels entitled to it, even after he gives up the throne.  

Daley has never had to pay the outrageously expensive parking meters/boxes or be concerned with parking tickets, red-light cameras or gas prices, though he can well afford them.  

If he wants limousine service, he should pay for it himself, or have his buddies at Chicago Parking Meters pay for it.  

Larry E. Nazimek 
 

Some of you are probably wondering why I didn't also say that while Daley wants to deny Chicagoans the right to defend themselves with firearms, that he expects us to pay for his security (i. e., have Chicago police officers guarding him).  I would have included this, but someone already did.

Gov. Pat Quinn seems to know how to raise taxes, but as all Illinois Republicans know, he should be focusing on reducing spending and saving money.  Unfortunately, he does not know how to do this.

Fortunately, he is smart enough to ask for our help (but whether he is smart enough to follow it is another matter).

The following solicitation for suggestions is from his electronic newsletter:

Save Our State Money

Do you have an idea that could save the state of Illinois money? Residents of Illinois can win $50 to $5,000 for successful suggestions submitted to the State Government Suggestion Award Board. Each suggestion is presented to the award board and, if feasible, original and cost-saving, may be eligible for an award. Awards are based on the savings each idea generates. For more information about this initiative you can visit their website or call (217) 558-0964.


If you click on the link, you get to the page that explains their suggestion program:http://www.state.il.us/cms/2_servicese_oth/sesabrd.htm

You should submit your suggestion on their form: http://www.state.il.us/cms/download/pdfs/sgsab_form.pdf

After you complete the form, I suggest that you print and/or save your work, just to be on the safe side, before clicking on the Submit by Email button.

We all have ideas on how to cut back on wasteful government spending, so here is your chance to tell Gov. Quinn.

Obviously, whether or not he takes our advice is quite a different matter.

This is my first blog for this site.  I generally don't write blogs, because they amount to "preaching to the choir."  I do, however, write letters to the editor, and have had many published, because those are seen by many people.
 
In this instance, however, I am writing this blog, because it is intended for "us" and not the rest of Chicago.
 
I have read many well written entries on this site, but they should have been directed to all Chicago voters, and not simply to those who already agree that the Democrats are going in the wrong direction.
 
One of the benefits of a two party system is that each party holds the other accountable.  On the national level, when Obama, or other Democratic leaders, say or do something, there are Republicans to refute them.  It may be a Senator, Congressman, Governor, or Party Chairman, but there is a Republican response.
 
On the State level, Tom Cross, the State Chairman, or someone else, replies.
 
On the County level, Tony Peraica or Lee Roupas are interviewed.
 
On the City level, however, Daley says and does whatever he wants, but where is the Republican response?  
In my neighborhood, there have been instances during primaries where people ask me who I am voting for.  When I tell them, their response is often, "But he's a Republican," as if to say that I can only choose from among the Democratic candidates.  When I reply, "So am I," they may cross their two index fingers and laugh, as if fending off a vampire.  
I can't say I blame them, because they have only been exposed to one point of view.  In any dictatorship, only one point of view is heard, and in the Daley regime, things are no different.
 
We can't expect the media to come to us; we must go to them.  A political organization usually puts out press releases and position papers to the media on a frequent basis, and we should do the same. This does not mean that all of them will get a story on the news, but some will.  
While we must represent locally, the National, Illinois, and Cook County Republican Parties, we must also represent the Chicago Republican Party.  If we don't, who will?
 
While press releases and position papers are an important facet of getting the word out, we must not pass up opportunities that may present themselves.  If we are in some city event where Daley is speaking, the media may interview random members of the crowd to get their reaction.  If, however, one of us is present, and wearing a distinctive Republican necktie or shirt, that may increase the possibility that we will be interviewed.
 
One way or another, the Chicago Republican viewpoint must be heard.  We must preach to all Chicagoans,and not merely to those who already agree with us.