Letter to the Editor: Public Officials Suffer From Entitlement Syndrome

We have read and heard about many things that go on in Kendall County that you normally only read, or hear about happening in Cook County. 

These type things are called entitlements. What is an entitlement? Well it first off is a self-serving sort of “rite of passage” that many officials feel that they are entitled to have.  

You see once elected, the “I am really important” syndrome kicks in. Then comes the entitlement syndrome. Not all elected officials do this, but I would have to say that over the years watching and reading politics it seems the ones who think they deserve, outnumber the ones who don’t.

So what are some of these entitlements?  

When they are conducting business, or my favorite seminars. You must have extravagant meals including alcohol, and fine food, and don’t forget the escargot. Or per diems for multiple meetings that are unnecessary, or could be handled as one.

Issuing municpal vehicles to management is one of my favorites.  What happens when they respond on a Sunday afternoon after having a few beers and get into an accident injuring or killing a civilian? Who’s liable? The taxpayers. How about an official that uses a public building as his own personal storage space for his rock star sized mobile home, electricity included of course.

And when you have entitlements you also get to bring friends of the program along with you. So when you get down to it being elected or non-elected in some cases, gives you an endless amount of entitlements that are courtesy of the taxpayers. I wonder how much of your tax bill pays for these entitlements. Can you lower taxes by taking away these entitlements? Yes, But who’s going to do it?

Pat Stiles, Montgomery