We the People and the Water Company

Few things annoy me more than folks who are decidedly un-political. As far I'm concerned, lazy Americans who shrug off their civic responsibility to be informed enough to form an opinion and exercise their right to vote should lose their citizenship status.

I go ballistic When I hear someone say, "Why bother voting? Politicians are all a bunch of crooks." If they are all a bunch of crooks, all the more reason to get off your lard butt and vote in some new blood. How does someone get so cynical? How does an adult come to feel that their right to vote - which people DIED for - should be abandoned at the curb with yesterday's trash? This is America! We ARE the government! Didn't these people have to take a civic course in high school?

There are crooks in government, no doubt. Nixon to George Ryan, there is power in politics and hence it will always be attractive to the corrupt and evil among us. There is power in politics and hence it will always be attractive to the best, brightest, and idealistic among us - those who want to make a difference for the better. We have a duty to sort out between the two types and elect and dismiss accordingly.

The worst thing government can do is not heed the will of voters. Even if government is right and has better information and knows more than the average voter, it is wrong to go against the will of the People. Voters are not children to be sheltered from their own mistakes. Politicians are charged with exercising the voters' will, not their own. When elected officials go against the will of the people - even when they are sure it is in the people's best interest - they breed a population of more disgusted, distrustful, and disheartened would-be voters. What is the point of voting if no one is going to abide the final tally? This is how banana republics are built.

A lot of new information has surfaced regarding the water company. It looks like a buy out might be profitable. Moreover, Illinois American will be asking for a rate hike after promising it wouldn't do so for three more years. Maybe Illinois American is gouging consumers. Or, maybe Illinois American Water Company LIKES the idea of a $220 million buyout. It is too late to have another referendum on the possible purchase.

The Peoria City budget is very tight. We need new revenue. Desperate for it in fact. That said, it would be better to raise taxes later than have voters distrust our new City Council for all time.

When in doubt, listen to your constituents.