Friday letters: Aldermen put own interests first

The City Council has heard from lobbyists and representatives from the beverage industry, hotels and restaurants, all expressing disapproval of a new tax on sugary drinks. There is already a tax on soft drinks sold in stores. During the last four years, fines and fees have generated the largest revenue gain for the City of Chicago in its history. The burden of these fees, taxes and fines has been born by the individual taxpayer. Our aldermen forget whose interests they are supposed to represent. Just this last week, millions of dollars were diverted to the aldermen to insure the plans of the mayor. Several years ago, the former mayor did the same thing by increasing the expense accounts of the aldermen. They are more concerned with continuing in office than in serving the interests of those they allegedly represent.

John Culloton, Norwood Park

Thank unions for Labor Day

I am writing this letter to remind Mr. Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Committee, why he had a day off on Labor Day. It was because of the unions that he had a three-day weekend. The holiday is not called “The National Right to Work Day.” It’s called Labor Day for working men and women who would not have the day off if not for unions.

Unions should be praised for the work they do, not vilified.

Don Sakosky, Dunning

Time out for the Donald

Donald Trump is the 8-year-old schoolyard bully of this election cycle. American media need to give him a timeout until he is ready to behave like an adult.

Michael Hart, West Ridge