Letters: GOP candidates need lesson in etiquette

Is the Republican Party bereft of political etiquette when the candidates turn on each other at every stop? In these shout-me-down debates, it seems the least competent rise to the top with resumes reflecting little seniority in Washington. Leading in most polls is Donald Trump who has answers for every political issue — but has never served in either local state roles or Washington politics. His expertise lies in filing bankruptcies on four separate occasions to the tune of millions of dollars!

Is that his goal for the United States once in office — call our creditors and ask for forgiveness? Redo it by giving up equity in America as he did numerous times with his own properties? America does not need more national debt but proven leadership. Where are the skills beyond vitriolic accusations, belittlement and, yes, vanity?

Vincent Kamin, Loop

Save this facility

Palos Hospital is planning an expansion that will result in the demolition of its fitness center in Orland Park. The center has unique facilities for handicapped people such as a constant depth pool. It allows people with disabilities like MS or arthritis to exercise in ways they can’t possibly do outside the pool. The members have been told to go to other health clubs, but there are none in the area with the same type of specialized facilities as Palos Health & Fitness Center. We are asking community support to keep this facility open!

Terrence J. Stoeff, Mokena

Read the Bible

The state of Illinois has yet to restore funding for the health and human services for our most vulnerable people, and 700 have lost their jobs too. Please read and share the story of Lazarus, the beggar, in the Bible.

Angelo Sturino, Park Ridge

Ban plan

I oppose the proposal to require gun liability insurance, along with all regulations that add to the complexity and add to the cost of owning firearms. The net result of such legislation weighs disproportionately on those with lower incomes or with fixed budgets. The result will not make people safer. Those who want to be criminals will always have guns regardless of legislation.

Tom Byrne, Glenview

Reassign Pfleger

I hope Archbishop Blase Cupich will consider assigning Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina to a quiet suburban parish during his proposed restructuring of parishes and priests as reported. Father Pfleger needs to spend more time at the pulpit and less time at protests. Is he a priest or a politician?

Daniel M. Filipek, Mount Prospect

Bring on the audits

What is Ald. Edward Burke afraid of? Anyone handling finances of any organization should have been audited every year. If Burke has nothing to hide, he should be grateful for this opportunity to prove it.

Shirley Sax, Morton Grove

Short memories

I find it ironic that Republicans who supported Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld invading Iraq under the pretense of WMDs, created ISIS by installing a Shiite regime after proconsul Bremmer dismantled their army and allowed North Korean to become a nuclear state now want to intervene again in the Middle East!

Instead of persuading the Europeans and Arabs states to defend themselves from ISIS and affiliated terrorist groups, Republicans want to bomb and/or invade Syria, Lybia, Iraq and Yemen. Don’t the Republicans have any memory about the deaths, injuries and billions of dollars we already wasted the last time they were in charge of foreign policy?

Republican presidential candidates don’t think about the costs. They try to be more hawkish than their competitors with no regard for the consequences. All they care about is getting elected and satisfying the political donors.

Tom Minnerick, Elgin

Great president

As the president returns to Illinois to address the General Assembly, I would hope the citizens of Illinois would take the time to ponder the qualities that he possesses that set him apart from his predecessors.

In Barack Obama, the president of the United States, we find the best of what this country has to offer. In this relatively young man, we see the qualities that would make any parent proud. Throughout both his private and public life, he has displayed traits that most Americans have always admired in their fellow citizens. He has been elected to office twice because a majority of citizens recognized the importance of the above traits in our leaders.

Unfortunately, many of our leaders have not possessed these qualities. They have been primarily elected based on their party affiliation or ideology.

I think president Obama will in time be revered for not only being our first black president but a president who possessed great skill and competence.

Ned L. McCray, Tinley Park