Editorials for 18 June 2025

Be adults

Usually, the Sycamore City Council is pretty calm. Last week’s meeting did not degenerate into a shouting match, but it was on the horizon.

Be clear about this. The Sycamore City Council members often interrupt each other. Watch the videos to see this. The sole exception is Clay Harris, who often goes for months without saying anything at a meeting.

Most of the time, the Council rolls right through these interruptions and gets back to the matter at hand. Watch the videos if you need proof.

Not sure what burr got under Fred Eister’s saddle at the June meeting, but he needs to get over it. Why? Later in the meeting, he did exactly what he accused Ms. Yawn of doing.

Ms. Yawn apologized. Didn’t hear an apology from Mr. Eister. For that matter, the other Council members didn’t worry about interrupting each other later in the meeting either.

In a courtroom, a judge would not tolerate this. Offenders would be overnight guests in the Sheriff’s Iron Bar hotel. Not saying Council members (Commissioners, Board of Education or anyone else who sits on a governing board) who interrupts each other need to be arrested. We are saying they need to show good behavior and wait their turn. Be adults.

 

Who to believe

As Washington continues to debate the contents and merits of the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” pundits on all sides are praising and criticizing this bill.

The praise comes from the people who say this will cut taxes on low and middle income people.

The criticism comes from the people who say the bill will increase the deficit and government spending,
Who do you believe?

A close reading of the bill, as it stands right now, shows it does increase the US deficit, or debt. Who is responsible for this federal debt? Every person in the United States.

Who created this debt? Congress.

Why did Congress create the debt? Because the members of Congress want to get re-elected and they cannot get re-elected by cutting federal government programs.

When other countries stop loaning money to the US, what will happen? Government programs absolutely will shut down. Government employees will not work for free. Handouts will stop. With no money, things will simply stop.

What about printing more money? That does not work. We saw that under previous administrations. When more money is printed, each dollar is worth less. It costs more to buy anything.

Government spending has to be reigned in. It is time to start cutting what government does.