Republicans face tough Medicare reform task after 2010 and 2012 debates
A political diary traces how voter fears over Social Security and Medicare shaped elections from 1994 to 2012. It argues that polls show broad reluctance to cut Medicare, while Republicans must balance deficit reform with growth. The piece cites surveys, party messaging, and calls for honest budget debate led by GOP leaders.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Florida
Lawton Chiles
Jeb Bush
Chiles
Bush
Bill Clinton
Dick Gephardt
Nancy Pelosi
CBS News
Washington Post
ABC News
Pew Research
Post/ABC
House
Paul Ryan
Obama
George Washington University
Dust rules critique sparks Golden Pen Award winner
The Southern Illinoisan editors defended dust standards while reader Joan Grammer of Carbondale earned the Golden Pen Award for a fiery March letter. Grammer, a Montana native now in Carbondale, voiced strong opposition to tougher EPA dust limits, citing farm dust from gravel roads and personal farming connections.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Environmental Protection Agency
Joan Grammer
Carbondale
Grammer
Gary
METRO
Montana
EPA
North Dakota
Illinois
Great Falls
Dick Grammer
U.S. Air Force Base
Harrisburg
Becky Grammer
New Hampshire
Richard “Scott” Grammer
U.S. Army
Pan- American Imports & Pawn
South Illinois Avenue
Southern Illinois
First National Bank
Old National Bank
Pearl Grammer
Alaska
Canada
Hell
U.S
Voting results on dust limit plan draw local letters
Joan Grammer led with a dubious dust limit plan receiving 70 votes cast online and by mail. Gary K. Shepherd of Carbondale tallied 35 votes, and Arvid Noreen of Herrin earned 12 votes in the same ballot.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joan Grammer
Gary K. Shepherd
Carbondale
Arvid Noreen
Herrin
Winning Letter Disses EPA Over Dust Rules
A reader criticizes the EPA as an ineffective overbearing agency. The writer imagines dismantling it and likens it to an invasive foreign plant and to harmful carp, urging constituents to oppose its recommendations. The letter closes with a pointed appeal to divine aid.
No government funds for private groups letter to editor
A reader calls for cutting government funding to private groups not part of government. They name Planned Parenthood, faith based groups, NEA, foundations, and ACLU as examples. They argue funds incur overhead and reduce benefits to opinions with which donors disagree, urging a lasting economic legacy for present and future generations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Planned Parenthood
National Endowment For the Arts
American Civil Liberties Union
Letters to the Editor Policy at The Southern Illinoisan
The Southern Illinoisan outlines submission rules for letters to the editor. Letters must be signed with a phone number for verification, not published, and are edited by editors. Source contact details include local and Williamson County numbers and general submission channels.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gary Metro
Southern Illinoisan
Gary
Metro
Thesouthern.com
Officials Contact Sheet for Illinois Congressional Delegation
Contact details for U S Senator Mark Kirk and U S Representatives Durbin Costello Shimkus plus state senators Forby and Luechtefeld and state representatives Phelps Bost Bradley Re provide phone numbers and webmail domains for each office to reach lawmakers and staff in Illinois.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Monacharen
Creators Syndicate
Thesouthern
Charen’s
Mona Charen
Steve Jahnke
the Southern
China
Mexico
God
Murphysboro
de Soto
Williamson County
Voice of the Reader
The
P.O. Box
Mark Kirk
Kirk
Senate
Durbin
Jerry Costello
Costello
John Shimkus
House.gov
Shimkus
Gary Forby
Forby
Intrnet
David Luechtefeld
Sendavel
Midwest
Brandon Phelps
Repphelps
Gmail
Mike Bost
Mike
Bost
Hotmail
John Bradley
Dan Re
Repreitz
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