Brandon Johnson has received well-earned criticism for his job as mayor.
He was called the “worst mayor in America” by a major news publication. Unfortunately for the people of Chicago, because of his repeat bad decisions, he has earned that title. Readers to this newspaper know that Chicagoans have been asking for Johnson’s resignation for months; one reader even asked about a recall.
The reality is that Johnson is unqualified and incompetent. Consider the failure of his Bring Chicago Home initiative, the end to ShotSpotter, his appointment of the Rev. Mitchell Johnson to the Board of Education, his proposal of a $300 million property tax hike and a $300 million high-interest loan for Chicago Public Schools, and the callous, petty firing of CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. Martinez has demonstrated better leadership and sound financial judgment than Johnson. Maybe he should be mayor.
Johnson must go. It is time for Chicago’s newspaper editorial boards to call for a resignation that the citizens and business community demand.
We can’t afford a fool and a stooge for the Chicago Teachers Union to remain in office.
— Judith Arkes Chicago
Not mayor of all Chicago
I really didn’t think I could feel worse about the performance of Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration over the past year, but after reading the year in review of editorials about Johnson, I do (“A look back at Mayor Brandon Johnson’s year through Tribune editorials,” Dec. 27).
At every turn, our mayor has proved he is not merely inept at his job (consider ShotSpotter, the migrant crisis and the gimmicks used to close the 2025 budget gap), but also, he has a cozy relationship with the Chicago Teachers Union, and he assembled a new Board of Education solely for the purpose of ousting Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez just weeks before a new board, half of its members elected by Chicago voters, would be seated. These two things demonstrate he is acting solely to benefit the CTU.
Johnson can shout from the mountains that he is the mayor for all of Chicago and is an a honest broker, but the facts prove otherwise.
— Dean Gerber, Chicago
Respect for firefighters
Because of the Chicago Teachers Union’s ability to strike and throw thousands of families into chaos, it’s easy to understand why the union dominates the news when it comes to contract negotiations.
But another union, the Chicago Fire Fighters Local 2, is now 3 1/2 years into negotiations with very little progress to show for it. Our firefighters and emergency service professionals deserve the same respect that the CTU demands at the negotiating table with the Brandon Johnson administration.
— John McClorey, retired Chicago firefighter, Chicago
Efficiency in government
In response to the editorial offering New Year’s resolutions for the governor and the mayor (“We have some New Year’s resolutions for JB Pritzker, Brandon Johnson and crew. And a few for ourselves.,” Jan. 2), how about the city and state introduce a Department of Government Efficiency and get feedback from the few remaining business leaders who still call Illinois home?
Start with the useless state flag replacement commission. Just a few bucks, but every dollar counts.
— Robert L. Johnson, Chicago
Jimmy Carter’s presidency
Reflecting on the recent passing of Jimmy Carter, I had the honor of meeting the former president after he spoke to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. President Carter was gracious, empathetic and humble interacting with an awestruck history teacher. I reminisced about my career teaching 20th century U.S. history.
In my teaching, I frequently referenced presidents from Theodore Roosevelt through Bill Clinton and their impact shaping events in America and globally. Moreover, I reiterated to my students that it was imperative to wait a minimum of 10 to 20 years before objectively evaluating a president’s time in office.
Carter is an appreciable example. When Carter lost to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election in a landslide — Reagan received 489 electoral votes to Carter’s 49 — pundits and the electorate dismissed Carter’s presidency as a failure. But was it truly?
In retrospect, Carter’s accomplishments from 1977 to 1981 were astounding. The Camp David Accords, signed in 1978, brought peace between Israel and longtime adversary Egypt that endures more than 45 years later. Furthermore, Carter created the Department of Energy to address the ongoing energy crisis and signed the National Energy Act (1978) that facilitated increased petroleum production while promoting renewable energy resources.
Additionally, Carter spoke of the importance of energy conservation, asking Americans to turn down their thermostats. Carter also appointed an unprecedented number of minorities and women to federal positions, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who later became a Supreme Court justice.
Post-presidency, Carter established himself as a proactive and great humanitarian. Carter helped Habitat for Humanity build almost 4,500 homes for low-income families. The Carter Center promotes the advancement of democracy and human rights abroad and has worked to eradicate diseases such as the Guinea worm in Africa. Carter’s achievements and personal character during and after his presidency are a template for current and future presidents to follow.
The United States and the world lost an inspirational role model for integrity, honor, humility and respect. May his passing inspire all people to embrace the virtues of this remarkable individual.
— Lawrence E. Bonk, Roselle
Debate over H-1B visas
The Republican Party is confronting a schism between those who support H-1B visas (visas for skilled workers used most often to fill technology positions) and MAGA supporters who feel these positions should be filled by U.S. citizens.
Those supporting H-1B are tech billionaires such as Elon Musk and others in Silicon Valley who have long relied on programmers from outside the country to supplement their workforce. They claim training in the United States is inadequate to fill these positions — hence, the need to bring in immigrants.
On the other side of the fence are MAGA supporters headed by Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist and a strong Donald Trump supporter. She believes that Musk and others have abandoned MAGA immigration principles as a result of their support of H-1B visas. The president-elect is leaning toward the Musk contingent.
There is a way Musk could help resolve this issue, although the results would not be immediate. This would be to establish tech training schools like Per Scholas, which includes a Chicago branch. Per Scholas provides tuition-free training specifically for the tech sector. Musk and his peers could have a direct say in the curriculum so attendees would receive the training they need to fill the tech positions. Attendees could be guaranteed positions in the tech sector upon graduation.
Such schools would reduce the dependency on H-1B visas while, at the same time, providing training and employment for U.S. citizens in areas requiring technological skills.
There’s no question that Musk and his colleagues have enough money to make this happen. The result would be a win-win situation.
— Marjorie E. Bloss, Chicago
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
