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Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: The Tribune Editorial Board is hypocritical in criticizing US Rep. Delia Ramirez
The Tribune Editorial Board sees no contradiction or hypocrisy, apparently, in its statement about words that matter. Its members decided to criticize U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, who represents Illinois' 3rd District, for her comment that she felt a strong affiliation with her family's native Guatemala by commenting, 'I'm a proud Guatemalan before I'm an American' ('Words matter when you're elected to represent America, congresswoman Ramirez,' Aug. 6). The editorial board writes: 'But Americans expect their leaders to confirm their belief in and allegiance to this country.' In these challenging and frustratingly difficult times, I often have to search to find pride in my own American birthright. Our authoritarian president continues his daily attacks on our democracy and has made astounding progress in deconstructing our government with the active assistance of Congress and the Supreme Court. Are there Tribune editorials about Donald Trump's authoritarianism that decry his words? Should I find myself in a discussion with any French, Canadian, British or other person born outside the U.S. about America's values, I would struggle to find the words to support our domestic agenda and the government's poor treatment of other nations with the administration's threats and bullying. What is the importance of words if editorial board members make their living through the use of words but don't see the overriding importance to speak out about the downfall of our democratic institutions? Does the Tribune Editorial Board honestly believe that words matter or is the editorial on Ramirez just clickbait?I am profoundly disappointed with the editorial on U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez's speech to the Panamerican Congress. A responsible editorial staff would have published the original Spanish transcript as well as her English remarks and given its audience a fuller context. Instead, the editorial board jumped on the right-wing narrative clearly designed to outrage people. There are competing translations that support the interpretation that she meant to say she identified as American first. Has the editorial board even bothered to consult with Spanish speakers? With so many Spanish speakers in Chicagoland, it is incredible that the editorial board could botch a simple assignment. How is this contributing to the civil discourse that is severely stressed under this current regime?The editorial on U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez takes out of context a statement in which Ramirez declares her pride in her ethnicity, twisting it to sound like she is unpatriotic. Does this editorial writer know of anyone of Irish or Mexican or Indian descent who is proud of their ethnic origin? I wonder if the Tribune writer spoke to Ramirez to ascertain what she said or look at her record as a U.S. representative. Her record is as patriotic as any and more courageous than most. She speaks truth to power, risking her political career.I can say that I'm a proud Italian before I'm an American since my father emigrated from Italy and I was born in America, but I would blemish the pride he exhibited as a U.S. citizen who assimilated in his adopted country. He had no formal education and always followed the direction offered by the local Democratic precinct captain who visited our home with instructions on pulling the lever at the polling machine to vote straight Democrat. Recently, Democratic U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois made a controversial comment in saying 'I'm a proud Guatemalan before I'm an American.' She was born in Chicago to immigrant parents and became a birthright citizen. I'm not attacking Ramirez, but her choice of words in the public domain casts doubt on her loyalty as a federal official taking an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Will she represent all Illinoisans?For the millionth time, the issue is not immigrants. The issue is unbridled immigration in which we don't know who is coming in. And then on top of that, our government now feels responsible to take care of these migrants when our federal, state and local governments are deeply in debt. , 'out of many, one,' is one our nation's mottos. Immigrants of the past assimilated to our American culture to become full Americans. Now we are ashamed of America and its culture, and we encourage our immigrants to be diverse. Not all assimilate. And that is a weakness. Our country is no longer united. There are very few things that we are united on. Congress is split down the middle. Our country is split down the middle. Our modern immigration policies encourage only more division, not on The Associated Press article 'Many Dems not happy with party' (in print Aug. 4), the Democratic Party is perceived as 'weak' and 'ineffective' at thwarting the growing power and influence of the current White House administration. Conversely, I would like to offer a different perspective and a blueprint for the Democratic Party. Protesting, holding rallies, conducting filibusters in the Senate or expressing unrelenting criticism of the current president is not a formula for sustained, future success. It further divides disillusioned Democratic voters while alienating moderates, independents and Republicans not enamored with the current administration. Instead, the Democratic Party needs to promote a political, economic and social platform that appeals to both its loyal core and disillusioned voters. The Democratic Party needs to focus on issues that unequivocally resonate with its base, such as a robust economy that prioritizes the middle class while providing aid and economic opportunities for the poor. Democrats need to reprioritize clean energy (solar and wind) while providing job training for coal miners and other workers whose jobs will eventually become obsolete. They need to focus on rebuilding and modernizing our nation's infrastructure and aggressively promote mass transportation to curtail traffic gridlock. They need to promote an objective and fair immigration policy that encourages immigrants to immigrate to America legally while humanely addressing immigrants in the country illegally. They need to promote a foreign policy that proactively reaches out to and works collaboratively with our allies in addressing unprovoked aggression. They need to embrace a trade policy based on laissez faire principles and eradicate punitive and erratically enacted tariffs. Most importantly, the Democratic Party needs to actively reach out to and listen to its constituents and disillusioned former supporters. The upcoming 2026 congressional elections are a golden opportunity for the Democratic Party to sway the current political climate toward an empathetic, kinder atmosphere. The American people are seeking solace and inspiration from its leaders, not pettiness and skullduggery. The time to act is now. The world is was with great interest and gratitude that I read Heidi Stevens' column 'President not owed quiet subservience' (Aug. 3). At a time when too many universities, law firms and politicians are rolling over and capitulating to this president's threats, it is a relief to see articles, such as Stevens', appearing in our local newspaper. But perhaps we are already witnessing a shift in attitude as President Donald Trump's actions become more and more dictatorial and erratic. Economists and others are voicing concerns over his blustering, threatening use of tariffs as a weapon in international affairs. A few Republican members of Congress have spoken out about his threats and denials regarding the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics employment report. Some law firms and universities are standing firm against intimidation. And, of course, there are the rallies and demonstrations where thousands of ordinary citizens are coming out in defense of democracy. I hope the 'quiet subservience' is actually coming to an end, because a Hungarian-style of government will not appeal to many Americans if it should come to pass.
Chicago Tribune
30-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: Why would Illinois want to be like Texas? Consider these statistics.
The editorial on Texas tax cuts would have us believe everything is bigger in Texas due to its low taxation. Yet, I can name a few basic benefits we should all expect to be afforded in a prosperous society, which are, in fact, very scarce in Texas. Want to live in a state where you're assured of basic quality health care? Don't move to Texas, which, unlike Illinois, refused the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion and, as a result, has the highest uninsured rate in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Want to live in a state that provides your children access to a quality education? Again, don't move to Texas, where, according to the Education Data Initiative, Texas invests one third less in their pupils than Illinois. ACT scores were five points higher in Illinois compared with Texas in 2024, according to the ACT. Want to live in a state that acknowledges the effects of climate change and does all it can to protect you from its pernicious effects? Moving to Texas will put you on a collision course with climate change's dangers, as evidenced by the millions of Texans left without power in the freezing winter during the deadly 2021 energy grid crisis due to a lack of regulatory oversight. Additionally, more than 130 lives may have been saved in the recent flash flood disaster in Texas had its leaders chosen to invest in siren networks and flood alert systems. While the Tribune Editorial Board would have you believe Texas' lower taxation leads to a windfall of savings for its residents, when accounting for the higher median incomes of Illinois residents and Illinois' superior social safety net, this claim turns out to be weak. A 2023 Council for Community and Economic Research report showed that while Texas's nominal cost of living was 7% to 10% lower than Illinois, the difference in effective purchasing power for the average family was only 2% to 3% lower. I know I am willing to pay 2% to 3% more to ensure my family benefits from better health care, stronger educational opportunities and improved disaster readiness to help us live longer and more fulfilling to the Tribune Editorial Board for continuing to promote the Republican Party line: tax cuts good and tax hikes bad ('Texas is talking tax cuts. Illinois? More hikes,' July 23) . It was one of the most tone-deaf editorials the board has done since it endorsed third-party candidate Gary Johnson over Hillary Clinton in 2016. I know we have short attention spans these days, but is the board really going to hold up as a role model the state where 138 people just died from floods because of a lack of infrastructure investment that could have been paid for with taxes? The state where 246 people died in 2021 when its power grid failed, also for lack of investment in infrastructure? The state that ranks second worst in the country for quality of life in 2025, according to CNBC? The CNBC article states that 'according to the United Health Foundation, Texas has the nation's lowest number of primary care doctors per capita, the second-lowest number of mental health providers, and it consistently has the highest rate of people without health insurance. The state has among America's strictest abortion bans, and crime is on the high side.' And regarding the abortion bans, was the editorial board aware of the following statistics? According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 'between 2021 and 2022, infant deaths in Texas rose from 1,985 to 2,240. … This corresponds to a 12.9 percent increase in infant deaths in Texas versus a 1.8 percent increase in infant deaths in the rest of the U.S. during the same period.' Public education, according to the World Population Review? Texas is 40th; Illinois is 17th. So go ahead, editorial board, continue to glorify tax cuts and encourage Illinois to become more like Texas, a state that chooses policies that kill people by default. Me? I will continue to cheer on our governor and other local and state officials who use the taxes they raise to give Illinois citizens a solid quality of Brandon Johnson has ruled out a property tax increase and instead is looking for 'progressive revenue.' The mayor once was a teacher, but he seems incapable of learning lessons from history. The facts are clear: High taxes drive people out of cities and states. Tens of thousands of residents left Illinois each year from 2019 to 2024, and high taxes were a major reason for many. Illinois only avoided losing population due to immigration, largely people from Venezuela. In the old Soviet Union, the system controlled where people could live and work. China has the system of household registration, severely limiting educational and job opportunities and access to services to residents who do not stay in their assigned permanent residency. Thankfully, in the United States, people are free to choose where to live. The mayor was cagey about what specifically 'progressive revenue' means. It is worth considering what taxes Chicagoans already pay. In addition to federal and state taxes, the sales tax in Chicago, a portion of which goes to the state, is 10.25%, among the highest of American cities. Property taxes are already higher than the national average. There are real estate taxes, utility and telecom taxes, amusement taxes, hotel taxes, restaurant taxes, alcohol taxes, a shopping bag tax and cannabis taxes. Businesses are struggling because of high taxes. Tax the wealthy? Fueling the exodus of wealthy taxpayers will further weaken the tax base. Wealthy corporations? Boeing, Caterpillar, Citadel, Tyson Foods and others have already left. A bailout from Springfield or Washington is a pipe dream. Borrow more money? The debt per taxpayer is already among the highest in the country. There is only one responsible option for Chicago: Cut expenses. Unfortunately, the mayor lacks the nerve to do Harvey grapples with mounting debt, it recently made the difficult — but fiscally responsible — decision to lay off 10% of its workforce. And what has Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker done to address the finances of Chicago and the state, respectively? Johnson has not addressed this city's bloated workforce. Instead, he told the city's contractors to reduce their charges and advocated for the Bring Chicago Home initiative, which would have raised the real estate transfer tax on the wealthy and corporations, spurred their departures and ultimately reduced the city's tax base. Likewise, Pritzker has not addressed this state's dismal pension and financial outlook. He has yet to address this state's number of governmental bodies — more than 8,500 — and attendant costs, which are more than even more populous states. Instead, our governor advocated for a graduated income tax scheme, which would have had the same effect as Bring Chicago Home, and now he simply baits President Donald Trump in national forums. Chicago needs to reduce municipal expenditures by examining and eliminating its bloated workforce, and it further needs to consider the need for 50 wards and aldermen and the attendant expenses. And Illinois needs to get its financial house in order by consolidating and/or eliminating some of its more than 8,500 governmental bodies. The elimination of bloated workforces and governmental bodies would be to the benefit of overburdened and overextended taxpayers and thus would be in the public interest.
Chicago Tribune
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: The public reaction to the couple caught by the Coldplay ‘kiss cam' is about values
I am writing in response to the editorial regarding the 'kiss cam' and internet reaction to the affair between the Astronomer CEO and his chief people officer ('At a Coldplay concert, a kiss cam catches a cuddle and ruins lives,' July 20). While I understand the Tribune Editorial Board's view that the outrage may seem overblown and misguided, I disagree with the suggestion that the public's reaction is unwarranted. The primary concern is the ethical implications. The roles of the CEO and human relations head inherently involve power dynamics and responsibility. Their relationship, when visible in such a public forum, raises questions about professional integrity and the potential for conflicts of interest. It is not just about the affair itself, but also the optics of leadership behavior that could undermine trust in the company's management. The board seems to be blaming the kiss cam and internet reaction and not the actions of the leaders of the company choosing to go to a large public event where they invited scrutiny from employees, stakeholders and the public. This doesn't just cross professional boundaries; it disrupts the image of leadership and corporate responsibility that any company should uphold. The Jumbotron is not the issue for 99.9% of the people who look forward to seeing their image at a large event like this one — most of us would be thrilled to be singled out and have Chris Martin make a comment about us at a concert. The backlash is not about sensationalism; it reflects growing public demands for ethical behavior from corporate leaders. There is increasing societal expectation that those in positions of power should act with transparency, integrity and professionalism. The public response should be seen not as an overreaction, but as a reflection of this shift toward holding leaders accountable for their actions. Leaders, especially in large organizations, must be aware of how their behavior impacts employee morale and the public's perception of their credibility. While personal relationships are private matters, the intersection of personal and professional lives in the workplace requires a higher standard of discretion. I urge the board to reconsider the broader implications. The public backlash reflects concerns over leadership ethics, corporate culture and the responsibilities of those in positions of power. It is a discussion worth having, not dismissing, as it speaks to the values we expect from our editorial about the couple at the Coldplay concert is nothing more than a classic example of 'blame the messenger.' Individuals are caught seemingly in an act of indiscretion, and yet it's social media's fault that their apparent humiliation is spread across the media landscape. As if paparazzi haven't existed since the term was coined in the late 1950s. And I note that major news organizations regularly request followers of their own social media platforms to send in pictures and videos. Clearly, the line the editorial board is trying to draw between acceptable and unacceptable social media use is murky at best. Maybe the board could share its guidelines on how it makes decisions as to what is acceptable and unacceptable to publish on social media to tighten up that line for the reader. I, for one, would find that an interesting The Coldplay concert's 'kiss cam' ruins lives? The Tribune Editorial Board message seems to be: 'Getting caught doing wrong needs to be stopped!' How about encouraging all of us to not do wrong? How about taking every opportunity to emphasize that good morals and high integrity, in all facets of life, are a goal every citizen should pursue? How about pointing out that cheating, stealing and lying — even when you — are terrible choices that will catch up with you eventually and will hurt others in the meantime? The problem is not 'getting caught.' The problem is choosing to do wrong. With all of the crime and malfeasance reported in the Tribune's pages each day, I would expect this fact to be obvious to the editorial board. Do better. Society needs you — and all of us — to be better.I lack sympathy for any of the parties involved. Surveillance cameras are everywhere, which everyone knows. If you don't want your bad, or good, behavior out there on the internet, engage in it in private. Oh, I also lack sympathy for anyone who films themselves engaging in sex. Perhaps if people would think, they would not get themselves into trouble. People are getting dumber and dumber, and if there are consequences, it is no one's fault except editorial lays the blame for ruined lives on the fact that two knowing adults engaged in an illicit affair and were caught. The 'kiss cam' did not ruin their lives; it made their lives more difficult and the affair more embarrassing, but did not ruin their lives. They ruined their lives; they freely chose to have an affair. They freely chose to go to a public event and flaunt their affair. Isn't it time that people take responsibility for their actions rather than blaming the 'media,' the 'internet,' or the 'kiss cam'? This isn't cruelty on the part of the American people. Cruelty is watching children being deported and doing nothing; cruelty is not having due process; cruelty is stripping thousands of their health care benefits. Laughing after watching two adults make a bad choice is not cruelty. They made the choice; they get to live with the consequences. I do feel sorry for their families as they did not have any choice in the matter.I find it ironic and duplicitous that an editorial runs on the first page of the Sunday Opinion section expressing how cruel America has become in the response to the Coldplay Jumbotron incident, and five pages later, the same story leads the news briefs and includes details that the editorial deemed an invasion of privacy. It would seem that in this case, the Tribune is part of the problem that the editorial calls out and not part of the solution. The Tribune is better than was not surprising to see the 'kiss cam' editorial Sunday morning. It's apparently one of the momentous issues of our time that the Tribune Editorial Board believes its readers need to become informed about. What would be surprising would be to see an editorial demanding that the Donald Trump administration stop enabling the Israeli genocide in Gaza that has been destroying life for Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians for the past 21 months. The Palestinian lives being obliterated by U.S. bombs given to Israel are the ruined lives worthy of a Tribune editorial.
Chicago Tribune
14-07-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Ald. Brian Hopkins: If Springfield won't act on dangerous hemp products, Chicago must
Last month, the Tribune Editorial Board rightly sounded the alarm on the flood of unregulated, intoxicating hemp products being sold in gas stations, smoke shops and convenience stores across Illinois. These products — many of which are chemically altered, highly potent and dangerously mislabeled — are being marketed and sold directly to children using cartoon packaging, candy flavors and zero safety guardrails. The packaging may mimic well-known snack brands and the products are readily accessible on store counters with no checks of identification and no guidance on safe use. This is not just a matter of regulatory oversight — it's a public health crisis in the making. And once again, the Illinois General Assembly has failed to do anything about it. Despite bipartisan proposals to bring order to this Wild West marketplace, Springfield ended its legislative session without passing even the most basic consumer protections, testing requirements or age restrictions. There was no movement on setting limits for THC potency, no requirement to test for contamination and no mandate to keep these products out of the hands of minors. This wasn't just a missed opportunity — it was a blatant dereliction of duty. And it's left cities such as Chicago to deal with the fallout. But there should be no confusion. This failure lies squarely with the legislature — not the governor. Gov. JB Pritzker has been vocal about the public health and consumer protection dangers these products pose and has advocated for strong, sensible regulation. Unfortunately, his leadership was not matched by action in the General Assembly. Even more troubling, the lack of support from some municipal leaders has undermined those efforts and sent mixed messages to lawmakers. These synthetic and intoxicating hemp-derived products have no place in our neighborhoods. We cannot allow an opaque, unregulated industry to profit off the endangerment of our children — especially under the false pretense that these products are 'natural' or 'safe.' In reality, many of these products are manufactured with chemicals that have not been studied for human consumption. Others are sold with misleading dosage information or fail to disclose all ingredients. Parents often don't realize what their kids are buying until it's too late — and sometimes not even then. Other states have taken decisive action. As of this writing, around 40 states have passed laws or implemented rules targeting intoxicating hemp products. Several of those states have restricted or banned synthetic THC altogether. Even Kentucky, a state hardly known for overregulation, regulated delta-8 THC entirely due to its impact on youth. At the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration has issued repeated warnings about the dangers of chemically modified cannabinoids, and Congress is actively debating updates to the 2018 Farm Bill to close the loopholes that allowed this problem to spiral out of control in the first place. So, while Springfield drops the ball yet again, Chicago must act. We cannot afford to wait any longer. As chair of the City Council's Public Safety Committee, I am calling on my colleagues and Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration to move forward with urgency. We must take steps to protect our residents now. This is not a call to ban — it's a call for commonsense regulation. Right now, any store can sell intoxicating hemp products with no questions asked, no oversight and no accountability. That has to change. If a business wants to sell products that contain THC within city limits, it should be required to obtain a state license, lab-test all products for potency and purity, follow strict childproof packaging standards, limit sales to adults over 21 and offer only products that are truly naturally derived from hemp — not synthesized with unknown or dangerous chemical compounds. When it comes to the health and safety of our residents, Chicago has never waited on Springfield. We led on tobacco restrictions. We took bold action on flavored vaping. We've implemented innovative public health measures time and again when state action fell short. Now we must do the same with intoxicating hemp products. Because protecting our children and our communities isn't optional — it's our responsibility.
Chicago Tribune
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: Road shutdown for NASCAR race makes life beyond difficult for nearby residents
My thanks to the Tribune Editorial Board for acknowledging the disruption NASCAR causes for the 50,000 residents of the Loop ('NASCAR should have a future in Chicago — if it's not held on Fourth of July weekend,' July 10). I live in Lake Shore East, and it is frustratingly difficult to get around while major roads are closed. I regularly travel on southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and during the days the southbound lanes are closed (from Randolph to McFetridge), I have to drive a circuitous route to 31st Street in order to get on the southbound drive. As many as 155,000 motorists travel the drive every day, and all of those cars are forced off onto arterial roads. This is a maddening and illogical disruption. What event could possibly justify closing a major highway for days on end? My beef is not with the people from NASCAR since they are simply doing what the city has allowed them to do. I have been in several community meetings with Julie Giese, the head of NASCAR Chicago, and she has consistently been responsive to input. My beef is with our mayor and my alderman who refuse to acknowledge how disruptive this event is for residents, workers, small business owners, visitors and travelers. Changing the date or demanding more money for the Park District is not going to change the basics — a street race does not belong in downtown Chicago. Beginning in May and throughout the summer, major downtown roads are continually closed. When the roads opened after the Suenos music festival, they began closing for NASCAR. Now that roads are open after NASCAR, they will begin closing for Lollapalooza. This is no way to run a downtown where 50,000-plus people Chicago has seen some tourism benefits from our three years of NASCAR street races, the burden created by weeks of street closures, many rerouted buses and some businesses being unable to operate exceeds those benefits. At least 18 bus routes experienced temporary changes due to NASCAR street closures, which has a disproportionate effect on heavily used South Side routes such as King Drive, Cottage Grove and Jeffery Jump. Passengers on those routes face significantly longer rides to and from downtown. All those extra buses on and near State Street create delays on streets where those buses are rerouted, affecting many additional bus routes. Lane restrictions and delays on DuSable Lake Shore Drive make it harder for people who need to travel along the lakefront. Detoured car traffic has a major impact on State Street and adjacent streets. Too many people have their transportation disrupted and face significant delays and added stress due to NASCAR street closures. People are deprived of being able to use Grant Park for weeks of prime summer weather. Crippling our downtown transportation network and access to the Museum Campus and Art Institute at peak tourist season makes no sense. Three years has been more than enough. No more NASCAR!Regarding last weekend's NASCAR event, no one has commented on the environmental impact from what took place. Air quality downtown, already contaminated, is further damaged by the exhaust from the racing cars. Furthermore, do hotels and restaurants prosper while the city's budgetary problems receive no help from this? Also, in my opinion, this isn't 'entertainment' like musical presentations held in Grant Walter Burnett has served the 27th Ward and the city of Chicago with distinction for about three decades. His leadership played a key role in the growth of the West Loop and in expanding affordable housing across the ward. If he steps into a new leadership role at the Chicago Housing Authority, it would mark the end of an era. No one questions Burnett's impact on this city. That's what makes the reported push to install a successor — rather than let the voters decide — all the more disappointing. As recently confirmed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, he is actively considering Burnett for the CHA post, which would create a vacancy in the 27th Ward. Chicagoans have seen how public trust can erode when political transitions are shaped by behind-the-scenes appointments instead of open elections. At a time when democracy feels fragile — nationally and locally — we should resist any appearance of political favoritism or nepotism, no matter who is involved. This isn't about any one family, community or individual. It's about making sure the public — not political insiders — decides who represents them. If either of Burnett's sons wishes to serve, they should absolutely be encouraged to run. But they should earn that seat the same way their father did: by winning the support of the voters, not by being installed to serve a mayor's political agenda before the people have a chance to speak. We saw that with the appointment process in the 35th Ward. Chicago has a chance to model democratic leadership — but that starts with letting the people of the 27th Ward choose their next alderman, not allowing City Hall to decide for them.I have lived in Chicago just a year, having moved here from another state. My review is that this city is both wonderful and horrible. I cannot watch the news anymore to hear who was been shot the night before — every day. About the causes, figure it out and correct it, or at least tell me about positive things making a difference. Hearing about another Chicago politician going to prison for corruption would bring smiles in the state where I lived while we would shake our heads On the wonderful side of this city, I love the diversity, I love the beauty, I love the people who are helpful and friendly, I read the Tribune every day and like the letters, and so much more. I love being here and want things to be better for June 29 editorial 'Why Chicago has a restaurant crisis' is a fantastic piece with great timing. I directly oversee the sourcing, purchasing, distribution and sale of more than 250 million pounds of perishable food service products annually for a food service/retail company serving a customer base of 95% independent operators. Every single day, just like our customers, cost impact is reviewed, and outcome scenarios are simulated. It should be expected that our elected officials have the diligence and capacity to do the same. These shallow policies and the sweeping support thereof further validate that the City Council is flooded with officials who have never set eyes on a balance sheet and believe that businesses are funded by magic.
