Democrat Paul Simon is the candidate best suited for the State Senate position with his realistic goals to help the people of Illinois.

is opponent Republican Lynn Martin is filled with ideas that are somewhat askew.

Along the lines of education, both candidates feel it needs improvement, and they’re right. Simon feels the way to better education is more funding. But Martin’s resonse is that money is not the answer for problems such as dropouts, drug abuse and under-achieving students in schools.

She’s right, money won’t solve these problems. These problems are too broad for money to be the miracle cure. However, educational programs are the first step to finding solutions. And in order to implement programs, money is needed – especially in the many Illinois public schools that barely have enough money for text books and teachers.

Martin also claims teachers in the cities are afraid to teach, which accounts for poor education and she suggested better teacher recruitment would help the problem. However, new recruits are going to be no less frightened than those already teaching in the city.

Simon would like to cut the defense budget to give more support to education and health care. Martin claims if it weren’t for the increase from $100 billion in 1980 to $300 billion today, we wouldn’t have a safe future to look forward to. Perhaps if more efforts were supported to decrease arms manufacturing world-wide, we would have a safer future as well.

Martin also wants to preserve our future by buying the most advanced weaponry available. What Martin, and many others, seem to forget is when a weapon is used to kill someone, he or she is dead. This is hardly a sentiment that will help in the Soviet negotiations.

Simon is for foreign aid. Martin on the other hand has said she feels she must tackle Illinois’ problems before taking on problems across the globe. But our world has a way of playing a game called, “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”

And with the federal government losing money, it needs to look elsewhere for additional cashflow. If it doesn’t, funding for all states will decrease even more.

Martin claims Simon is too much of a typical politician. Her negative campaigning has proven she is that of which she speaks. In this instance it is time to practice what she preaches.

The Republican also claims Simon has been in office too long and a change is needed. Government can always use a change, but not if that change is Martin.

The choice is clear. Martin’s issues are too narrow-minded to accept as best for Illinois and its special interests. Vote for Simon.