Poppycock Politicians

 State Representative, Sue Scherer returned my telephone call late this past Tuesday evening; she is obviously attentive to her constituents. My purpose for calling the Representative was to express my disdain for Illinois House Resolution #895, which creates a committee to have hearings about the administrative 'workings' of the IHSA. The Illinois High School Association oversees the myriad of competition by-laws, tournaments, play-offs, officiating, coaching education, and eligibility factors in high school sports. Some of our elected officials believe that the IHSA is NOT transparent enough...stop and put your mind around THAT!!!


It is my belief that elected politicians do three things very well: (1) Hold fund raisers (2) vote against term limits but for raises and (3) play to various special interests groups. When I spoke with my Representative, I went directly to the point. First, my Democratic Party is 'acting' like Republicans; spending valuable time on 'Mickey Mouse' issues while 'Rome burns.'

 I quickly explained to her that I spent 39-years on the IHSA membership roll serving in several advisory capacities and as the national liaison for coaching education; all without financial compensation, I add. As I spoke with my Representative, I went beyond suggesting but 'cut' directly to the chase: if the State elected officials did their jobs half as good as the IHSA administration, the State of Illinois would be funding education, overseeing nursing homes better and financially supporting mental health facilities instead of closing them. Our State pensions would be secured and the State would pay its bills in a timely manner. If our elected officials held 'committee watch-dog hearings' on their OWN people perhaps our Governors would not end up in prison so frequently.


I find myself agreeing with Republican Representative, Bill Mitchell (Forsyth), "I looked at this as the state doesn't do very much very well, and why do some people want to take over the IHSA."


Where was the 'oversight committee' when the casino gambling monies did not fund education as the politicians told voters it would accomplish? Where was the lawmakers' committee to 'watch' and make sure that the monies taken from teachers' retirement fund for other projects was NEVER paid back???


My Grandpa E.V. Bennett said it best; "Most folks would be well served if they'd tend to their own knitting." Mind your own business and don't worry about my work!