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Who Would You Trust: The IRS or the U. S. Congress?

Written by Arthur Donart, Ph.D. Monday, 20 May 2013 18:26
After more than 50 years of filing my Federal income tax and having been audited a number of times, I still have far more faith in the IRS to do the right thing, than I do our present Congress. Several years ago I got a letter from our friendly IRS stating I owed more taxes and had to pay a penalty. I wrote back that I agreed with their findings that I owed more in taxes, but that I thought the pe
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NRA and Republican Senators Side with North Korea, Iran, and Syria

Written by Arthur Donart, Ph.D. Saturday, 13 April 2013 14:27
For years the United States and a majority of United Nations member countries have been trying to come up with a treaty to regulate the $70 billion dollar a year trade in armaments. This number includes jet fighters, tanks, artillery, rocket launchers, etc., and also includes small arms. Their goal was to keep these weapons out of the hands of Somali pirates, Al-Qaida, FARC, Lord's Resistance Army
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It's Time to End the Korean War!

Written by Arthur Donart, Ph.D. Sunday, 07 April 2013 17:22
It may seem preposterous, but the Korean War--also known as a United Nations "police action"--never ended in a peace agreement. Technically, it is a war that has not yet ended. An armistice was signed arranging a cease fire, that did not officially take effect until January 31, 1955, even though there was little in the way of hostilities the previous eighteen months. That did not mean the war was
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If Corporations Are Persons, Why?

Written by Arthur Donart, Ph.D. Friday, 22 March 2013 15:03
What would you think of a person that tells you they would like to move to your community, because you have good schools, good roads, great libraries and parks, excellent police and fire departments, and a lot of nice, hard-working people--but they don’t want to pay their fair share of taxes to support all these amenities? Personally, I’d tell them to go somewhere else. You might be able to guess
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Do Republicans Really Want to Preserve Medicare and Bring Down Costs?

Written by Arthur Donart, Ph.D. Monday, 11 March 2013 16:59
Time Magazine ran a spectacular article by Steven Brill, titled "Why Medical Bills Are Killing Us," in its March 4, 2013, edition. In fact, that was the only article in the magazine. It is an excellent piece of research journalism, as well as a service to the Nation. If you haven't read it, do yourself a favor and read it. It deals with real pocketbook issues and real people, one of which just mig
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The Bright Sides of Extreme Maturity

Written by Will Durst Saturday, 09 March 2013 17:09
Some fancy-dancy, public-policy think-tank just released a brand-new study that speculates the legion of aging baby boomers will permanently redefine retirement. Mainly because so few of us will be able to afford to retire. "Uh, lady, you want lids on these?" Fast-food break rooms equipped with CPR paddles. A forest of tennis ball-footed walkers leaning against the brooms and mops by the back door
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More articles:

  • The Dudes Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks (09/03)
    The Dudes Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks
    In Reykjavik, Iceland, there is the Icelandic Phallological Museum, which boasts the world's largest collection of penises. For around $20 you can gawk at the members of many different species--some human--most in jars. Some more jarring than others. In Lima, Peru, the Museo de Larco has an enormous collection of pre-Columbian pottery. One section is devoted solely to 'erotic pottery,' some pre-da
  • Should the Catholic Church Re-think Marriage? (03/03)
    Should the Catholic Church Re-think Marriage?
    As an ordained Roman Catholic Deacon, I have never preached from the pulpit anything contrary to Church teaching, nor have I ever spoken a word I did not firmly believe to be true. That doesn't mean that I believe everything the Church teaches; it just means that where I disagree, I keep my mouth shut, at least as long as I am speaking from the pulpit. The pulpit belongs to the Church; not to me.
  • Sequester Stupidity, Please! (24/02)
    Sequester Stupidity, Please!
    The idea that the Federal Government should slash spending by 10% in every budget account would be so terrible as to force lawmakers to a compromise on spending is more than just ludicrous. It is insane! It is especially insane when you consider that this is precisely what the so-called Tea Party people want. It is, however, not what the majority of Americans want, if you consider a recent Pew pol

Letters to the Editor

Letter from Hospice of the Rock River Valley

Written by Editor Monday, 02 July 2012 14:01
Dear Editor, Hospice of the Rock River Valley, a United Way agency, would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who organized, helped at, participated in, and donated to the Schreiner Golf Outing on [Saturday,] June 9, 2012. For the second year, HRRV was chosen as the recipient of the proceeds raised from this golf outing and received a check for $3,800.Everyone on the golf course that day was am

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Letter from Hospice of the Rock River Valley

Written by Stephanie Vavra Tuesday, 26 June 2012 17:53
Dear Editor:Hospice of the Rock River Valley thanks everyone who participated in the 10th annual Hospice of the Rock River Valley (HRRV) Golf Outing on Friday, June 22, 2012. Thank you to the many sponsors who contributed to the HRRV golf outing: The Cornerstone Agencies, Sandrock/Mickley Insurance; CGH Medical Center; Astec Mobile Screens; Wahl Clipper; Sterling Multi-Products; Wipfli CPA's and C

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Letter from Jesse White

Written by Editor Monday, 25 June 2012 16:10
Dear Editor:This Fourth of July, Americans of differing ethnic backgrounds, political persuasions, and geographic locations will celebrate the 236th birthday of the United States of America. Many will fly the American flag in patriotic tribute. The American Flag unites us as a Nation; it brings out a multitude of meanings and emotions to Americans nationwide. The American Flag means to me a tapest

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"Mike Jacobs FAILS 'Truth Test'"

Written by Editor Thursday, 15 March 2012 20:24
In a statement released [Thursday, March 15, 2012,] Mike Boland, Democratic candidate for the State Senate in Illinois' 36th District, countered his opponent's accusations. Said Boland, "Jacobs is running a negative campaign of personal attacks and outright lies, funded by over $200,000 from utilities and big corporate political action committees."Boland refuted the personal attacks point-by-point

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Letter to the Editor: Karen Voss

Written by Editor Tuesday, 06 December 2011 16:30
Dear Editor: Over twenty years ago, a group of community members joined forces to create the first Festival of Trees benefiting hospice services in the Sauk Valley area. Now, years later the Festival of Trees continues as a tradition encompassing the entire Sauk Valley area. We are blessed to live and work in generous communities where the idea of investing in our resources is a priority for all.

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Letter from Vicki Wright

Written by Editor Tuesday, 25 October 2011 16:56
Dear Editor:What did we see today? And more importantly, what did our children see today?Kids today spend upwards of 10 hours a day engaged in recreational media, and with the advent of laptops, smart phones, tablet computers, and online learning, there is a growing, urgent need to examine what they think about what they see. And that’s exactly what Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois has partnered w

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More articles:

  • Letter from Roger Kallenbach (24/10)
    Letter from Roger Kallenbach
    Dear Editor:The Letter to the Editor titled 'Administration Plan Threatens Military Benefits' dated September 27, 2011, has many true facts included in it. I'm not opposed to bringing this new concept out in public for discussion as it should be. It has some merit and is attractive to people who serve less than 20 plus years. They will all have a 401k plan to take with them on their discharge date
  • Administration Plan Threatens Military Benefits (27/09)
    Administration Plan Threatens Military Benefits
    'Now, as today's wars end, as our troops come home, we're reminded once more of our responsibilities to all who have served. The bond between our forces and our citizens must be a sacred trust. And for me and my administration, upholding that trust is not just a matter of policy, it is not about politics; it is a moral obligation.…As a nation, we're facing some tough choices as we put our fiscal
  • Letter to the Editor by Kathy Janicek (22/08)
    Letter to the Editor by Kathy Janicek
    Dear Editor:I was one of the 500 very fortunate individuals present at the [Saturday,] August 13, [2011,] benefit concert for the Odell Public Library. It was an outstanding evening in all respects, and it has inspired me to write this letter. The concert was not only a successful fundraiser for a wonderful cause. It was also a testament to the outstanding support that music and all of the Fine Ar

 

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