Letters

Term limits: worst thing for legislature, Congress

Editor: Term limitations would be the worst thing that could happen to the Illinois legislature as well as the national Congress. What we need today above all is experience.

A great deal of our present problems started when the various legislative bodies did away with the seniority system. Experience whether in private enterprise or government is the best teacher. A surgeon becomes more proficient with experience. A lawyer becomes a better lawyer with experience. A farmer a bigger and better producer by experience. Take for example Lee Iaccoca. Chrysler extended his contract because they needed a proven leader.

In addition to term limitations, I hear from my lay friends, "Why, he or she has a conflict of interest."

Having been a lobbyist for the insurance industry most of my adult life I remember when Sen. Russell Arrington was the president pro tempore of the Illinois Senate and Bernard Epton was House chairman of the Illinois Insurance Committee. Often in explaining their vote they would have to declare they might have a conflict of interest. Senator Arrington was general counsel of the Combined Insurance Co., and Rep. Epton's major clients were insurance companies. Who would know more about insurance than they.

If George Washington were alive today, he would probably be unable to serve on the Military Affairs Committee or the Agriculture Committee or Thomas Jefferson on the Judiciary Committee or the Agriculture Committee or John Adams on the Judiciary Committee because Washington was a soldier and a farmer, Jefferson a lawyer and a farmer and Adams because he was a lawyer.

Isn't it better to have experienced heads on the various commitees? We have gone too far afield from the original concept of government. I hope Illinois never has term limitations. We need experience in government.

William H. Perkins Jr.
North Riverside

Hofeld says 'thanks'

To the people of Illinois: You were a wonderful inspiration to me as I campaigned around the state during the recent Democratic senatorial primary. Everywhere I went I could see the economic hurt on your faces, yet you bore it with such great dignity. As my wife and kids campaigned with me across the state, we discussed the many unsung heroes in Illinois. I don't believe I've ever met a more decent people. I want you to know how much I admire your spirit and how important it is to me that your needs be addressed.

Governing Illinois: Of the People, by the People, and for the People Illinois Issues' textbook for junior high and high schools. To order, see card inserted in magazine.

It is important now that we go forward as a Democratic team. Carol Moseley Braun is our Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, and she has my total support.

In the meantime, I'm a private citizen back to trying personal injury cases. But let me tell you — I will never forget your kindness.

Al Hofeld
Chicago

Readers: Your comments on articles and columns are welcome. Please keep letters brief (250 words); we reserve the right to excerpt them so as many as space allows can be published. Send your letters to:

Caroline Gherardini, Editor
Illinois Issues
Sangamon State University
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9243.

Correction: Our apologies to Kenneth Boyle and Norbert Goetten for getting their careers mixed up in "Names" in the May magazine. Boyle, who retired last December as director of the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, served as a state representative (D-Carlinville) from 1971-77, representing the 53rd District (later the 49th). He was also Macoupin County state's attorney from 1977-80 and instrumental in the 1977 creation of the State's Attorneys Appellate Service Commission, which later became the appellate prosecutor's office. Goetten was Greene County state's attorney from 1972 until he succeeded Boyle in the appellate prosecutor's office. Eds.