Our leaders could learn from airline pilots
Letters to the Editor January 11, 2013 7:00PM
Ald. James Cappleman (46th) | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times file photo
Updated: February 14, 2013 6:28AM
Lessons from airlines
Top leaders in our country could take lessons from commercial airline pilots. All effective leaders — pilots, politicians and parents — have as their primary goal the safety and feelings of security of their charges.
Airline passengers trust their lives to strangers, about whom they know nothing, and whom they didn’t choose. In spite of that absence of knowledge and credentials, passengers, including even airplane-phobic ones, trust and fly frequently.
Our national and local leaders have much to learn so that we citizens could feel safe, assured and hopeful.
I’m all for happier, more realistically comfortable flying. How about you?
Leon J. Hoffman, Lake View
Regarding Aldermen James Cappleman and Danny Solis’ recent revision of the city ordinance about feeding pigeons: the saying “think globally, act locally” does not mean that we should not recognize our priorities.
Population explosion, world hunger, trillions wasted on wars, looming environmental disasters, the future of Social Security, health care, lack of jobs, lack of disease and toxins-free food, our general safety, are just a few of the challenges facing us and the next generation.
If there’s any extra time, energy, funds to be spared, it should be used for addressing the above issues, not for persecuting pigeons. The aldermen, and we collectively, should set our priorities straight.
Ava Barcelona, Action Volunteers for Animals, Uptown
Our Legislature caused the pension problem by its legislative action over the last 20 years with no rebuke. If they really want to solve the problem they will have to lead by example. The General Assembly Retirement System, Judges Retirement System, big business (close the loopholes), and taxpayers must all be part of the solution. Because we all benefit from the services provided.
Joel Blustein,
Glenview
