My experience in politics seems to be a cause for concern. Let me point out that we just elected a president who was roundly criticized for a similar lack of experience. President Obama’s election was in large part due to the public’s distrust of career and inner-circle politicians.
Now we are in a bind economically. This incredibly large problem was created by two factors: career politicians and big business. Career politicians encouraged financial institutions to make risky investments and these politicians turned the other way when it came time to foster responsible oversight of these huge banking houses. Now we are trying to borrow our way out of debt.
Here in North Riverside the people are burdened by the fear that traditional institutions are failing them. Our banks need bailouts, our manufacturers seek government assistance and our elected officials don’t seem to have rational answers.
I am of the opinion that they don’t have rational answers, because the line between governing and self-interest is virtually non-existent. It seems absurd to keep electing men and women who have their own self-interests at heart and not the interests of the people they represent. They think they are smarter than us. It seems they are because we keep electing the same people to do the same bad job, and that is our fault.
I have experience in budget planning, tax preparation and employee relations. Successful businessmen also know how to negotiate the best deal for their business and the people they are ultimately responsible to, the consumers.
The end consumers in North Riverside seem to be getting the short end of the stick. My opponent has experience in following Mayor Scheck’s lead. In fact, he seems to be the kind of guy we keep electing to do the same bad job.
His experience has resulted in patronage jobs for his family. During the time he sat on the village board the citizens in North Riverside have experience a diminishing of their public services. For example, senior citizens in the village can no longer depend upon free taxi service. Routine garbage pick-up costs more, and now we pay for all vehicle stickers.
With the great number of businesses that are present in town, paying both property and sales taxes, one wonders why we never see any tax credits and why all these fees keep increasing and services are decreasing.
It is due to experienced politicians. For example, some village employee wages have increased 17 to 34 percent over the last few years. My opponent has directly benefited as a result of his wife getting pay increases. Nothing has been given back to the residents or small businesses that are the tax foundation of this village.
The Landmark endorsed my opponent because of his experience? While I shouldn’t be surprised, I am. The media outlets in the country deserve some of the blame for the condition of the country as they continue to endorse people who seek elective office for purely self-interest.
If my opponent is truly interested in serving the village, if elected, will his wife resign her high-salary position in the police department as he may face a conflict of interest over her employment? I think not.
In conclusion, the country is no more than the sum of its parts. The national problem is an amalgam of problems on a local level. Let’s start to solve our larger problems by changing elected officials in our small towns, suburbs and rural areas. Vote for me, H. Bob Demopoulos.
H. Bob Demopoulos is a candidate for mayor of North Riverside.