Today's Opinions
News-Gazette Editorials
Draw the line now with industry bailouts
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
As harsh as it may sound, the federal government cannot be expected to become the life preserver for an automobile industry that has mismanaged itself for decades. Nor can the government afford to bail out the other industries that surely will fall in line after the carmakers get theirs.
Yes, there will be pain if any or all of the Big Three domestic automakers go into bankruptcy. The pain will be felt most acutely in Michigan, but also in Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and much of the rest of the Midwest. There is also the possibility that not only could millions of jobs be lost but that the quasi-government Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp. would have to pick up the GM pension and its nearly 1 million participants. More …
Despite poor economy, university presidents do well
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Faculty members may complain about pay, but school presidents have no grounds for griping. University of Illinois President Joseph White made news last week when he won an 18-month contract extension but no additional compensation from the trustees.He'll continue to earn $450,000 per year, plus receive a payment of $475,000 if he stays five years from the date of his original contract.
That salary is not small potatoes by anyone's standards. Indeed, to some people White's compensation plus benefits (two houses and a car and driver) appear lavish. But White's salary is not close to the big time, according to a review of university presidents' salaries conducted by the Chronicle of Higher Education. More …
Letters to the Editor
Endorsement brings a tear to the eye
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I was surfing through the online News-Gazette to find the scores of a local team for a friend when I got the shocking news.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I read that The News-Gazette endorsed John McCain for president. More …
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Taking responsibility is the key to success
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Our nation's goal to establish health care and financial security for all Americans is important, and the solution is obvious. Individuals must assume responsibility for their own welfare – living a lifetime of learning, working, planning, saving and investing.
Most experts agree there are approximately 48 million Americans without health insurance. One-third can afford the insurance, but don't think they need it. Another one-third will have health coverage within a year. Much of the final one-third is composed of individuals who do little to help themselves (the same is true for those classified as poor), and we should do little for them until they help themselves (high school completion, job training, work ethic, healthy lifestyle). More …
Appreciated story on reaction to election
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Congratulations to The News-Gazette on the wonderful article "Witnessing the birth of a new hope" on the front page of the Nov. 9 paper. Feature writers Melissa Merli and Rebecca Mabry did an excellent job reporting the thoughts of local African-American citizens, who reflect the national sentiment for positive change and progress for all Americans. The pictures, by several able News-Gazette photographers, add "more than a thousand words" to the story. Even the layout of the article, from headline to placement of the photos, was excellent. I would not be surprised if this article wins a national award.
I applaud the editor of the paper for the wise decision to place this historic article of both local and national interest on the front page where it deserves to be. More …
Voter ID rules need to be clarified
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tom Kacich wrote Nov. 9 that voter turnout in all 10 student precincts was lower in this presidential election than in 2004. Perhaps that's because this time, so many registered voters were turned away from the polls in those precincts.
The law requires anyone who registered to vote using motor-voter to vote in person the first time, providing proof of address and identity at that time. If one was registered to vote by a deputy county clerk, or has voted at least once before, ID is not required. More …
Emil Jones should go to U.S. Senate
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
This is in regards to your Nov. 10 editorial, "In Blagojevich we trust to make Senate appointment."
Let me show you another way of looking at the situation. In college (I graduated from Illinois State over 25 years ago), one of my professors suggested that when you have an incompetent employee (in this case, Emil Jones) instead of demoting the employee, you should promote them (that would be Gov. Blagojevich appointing Jones to the U.S. Senate). More …
Negative labels should be abandoned
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Growing up in Champaign-Urbana there was always the stigma of certain schools being "ghetto."
Through the passing of time the definition of the word ghetto has changed dramatically. Its original use was to name areas where Jews were forced to live during the World War II period. More …
Seeking a witness to auto accident
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I was involved in an automobile accident at the corner of Randolph Street and Bradley Avenue in Champaign on Nov. 5 at approximately 12:20 p.m.
If anyone witnessed the accident, I would appreciate it if they would call me at 390-4168. More …