R.J. Young, in his Jan. 14 letter, “Tax vote showed lack of courage,” misuses the word “courage.” Allowing Illinois to continue delaying payment to doctors, hospitals, social service agencies and even the University of Illinois would not have required courage. Pretending that the state’s budget problem could be solved without additional revenue would not have required courage. And it would not have required courage to continue to blame public employees for the state’s problem, when the real problem has been the refusal to fund the state’s contributions to their pensions.
When I was young, I read President John F. Kennedy’s book, “Profiles in Courage.” It teaches us that courage means doing what is right even when it is unpopular. After decades of political cowardice, our General Assembly has finally shown real political courage. Whether you agree with them or not, they deserve our respect.
Matt Flamm
Palatine
