Senate Week In Review

October 20-24, 2008 - A view from the Illinois Senate Republican Press Office

SPRINGFIELD ­ Gov. Rod Blagojevich continues to draw criticism for his refusal to release $221 million in recently approved state funds that are needed to prevent closure of state historic sites and parks, as well as significant funding cuts for human services programs, according to State Sen. Tim Bivins (R-Dixon).

The Governor says he will not release the $221 million that was approved by lawmakers in September to keep the 24 parks and historic sites open, and prevent program cuts and layoffs at human services agencies.

Though the Governor claims he is waiting to release the revenue because of concerns about Illinois' flagging economy, the executive director of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has said that the state should collect at least $200 million in additional revenue this year to cover the costs. Bivins also noted that the funding restored by lawmakers in September is not affected by a fluctuating economy, and is sitting in the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Relief Fund waiting to be spent to keep the parks and historic sites open and to fund human service providers.

The Blagojevich Administration has also been subject to additional scrutiny lately, when Administration officials refused to make public facts about the Governor's state-subsidized health care program. In recent months, Gov. Blagojevich has expanded his taxpayer-funded FamilyCare program, despite its failure to receive legislative approval. Although Freedom of Information Act requests have been filed requesting that the Administration release FamilyCare specifics, the Blagojevich Administration has refused to divulge this information.

Bivins said that the Governor's staff refuses to release basic information, including the total number of program participants and the amount of tax revenue spent on the program.

These revelations come on the heels of a recent court ruling, which determined the Governor lacked authority to expand the program and banned state officials from spending money on the program. The Governor has appealed to the Supreme Court to allow him to continue with the program expansion, which has been rejected by state lawmakers on two occasions.

Anti-Palin Response to Anti-Biden Letter

Dear Editor Prairie Advocate;

To your reader who made the derogatory remarks in regards to Senator Joseph Bidden! Oh! I guess a wink and a wiggle from a gal propped up in $150.00,00 dollars worth of clothes , paid for by taxpayers money can seduce many a man, who is willing to be flirtatiously seduced into not thinking with his brain!

But Bill O'Reilly attacking Brittany Spears sister's out of wedlock pregnancy, while letting Sarah Palen's daughter, while in the exact "personal" situation, slide! And all "under the same breath, is the epitome of hypocrisy! (Time Magazine/ September 2008!) Wait a minute! Despite Barracks Obamma's remarks of the situation being "off limits"! I disagree!

Brittany Spear's Mother did not flaunt her unmarried pregnant daughter across a stage at the Republican National convention, for the world to see. (What has happened to the moral majority?) Where is Pat Robertson? Is Jerry Farewell spinning in his Grave? While Sarah Palen screamed at the top of her lungs, to her audiences " We believe in traditional marriage values!" What happened? Whose traditional values might she be referring to?

Could it be she is to busy "Watching Russia" from Alaska? But what of a woman who aspires to be president? One would think she is educated enough to teach her daughter the array of preventive pregnancy alternatives that are out there on the market? (I am not referring to abortion or pro-choice) It is easy for men, who lack the anatomy or mental feminine makeup to make such declarations when they lack the physical, environmental and physiological nuances, which are composed in making such decisions! But what of a woman who espouses education and that folksy "soccer mom mentality" with vice presidential aspirations! Tutor a daughter who is sexually promiscuous, Or at least keep it private! And as cliché' as it reads, "What kind of message are we trying to send here?" In a time when these young teen-age pregnancies are at astounding proportions! A sea of misfortune to thousands of young girls who must grovel for solutions to such a life changing predicament! Alone! Without the comforts of a Governors mansion with all the perks! And certainly it is all very personal! Why did Sarah Palen choose to bring her daughter's private "affair" (no pun intended) up to such public scrutiny? Is it an affair to be flaunted!

In closing I would like to quote Former President Harry Truman, in regards to radical myths being permeated in another part of our American history!

"McCarthyismit is the use of the big lie!"

We as Americans have endured eight years of monumental catastrophic turmoil, on every level! 9/11/ 01 was a horrendous devastation!

Yes! Saddam Hussein, we have been told was a tyrannical dictator! Who caused hundreds of thousands of deaths in that country! We have had a boisterous "decider" who disregarded tenured council from experienced men of wisdom and political savvy and détente! He chose to invade that country on the basis of another " big lie!" At a staggering cost! A lie which resulted in "millions" of deaths to innocent Iraqi people! This on top of the tyranny which they had already experienced at the hands one man and insane ambitions! And then there is the tragic death of thousands of wonderful loving young men and woman, from this country, who had their own lives cut short, because they were caught up in the "big lie!" Where are the weapons of mass destruction? Is there no accountability? It would appear that not only "Scooter" got to slide! To mention the least of this diabolical chasm that has become "the great rift" between the rich and poor of this country!

No, We have had enough of the three-ring circus, these last eight years have given us on "Capital Hill!" And we certainly don't need to be disappointed by another "Bimbo!"

In closing I would like to ask the reader a rhetorical question! If Bill and Hillary Clinton had paraded a seventeen-year-old pregnant, out of wedlock daughter across the stage at the democratic national convention, do you think it would fly? Would we to this juncture ever experience having yet heard the end of it? I think not! P.S. I am aware that Sarah Palens remarks on believing in "Traditional marriage values between a man and a woman" were made after being asked where she stood on "gay marriage!" The Holy Bible" with its mores, established that tradition, in the Old Testament! Though it made it quite plain! The verdict for an unmarried man and woman, engaging in sex outside of wedlock (fornication), was the same verdict set as that of two people of the same sex caught engaging in same sex!

They were to be taken outside of the city and stoned to death! There are some cultures that in our time are of that practice! But those of the Christian persuasion who believe and share the teachings of the New Testament with Christ's blood to cover sin on accepting the belief in the atoning sacrifice of His Blood!

Michael Leonardo O'Neal

Lanark, Il

Politicians Got It Wrong

I am taking this opportunity to discuss the current political situation in the United States. With the current financial crisis that the US is in, I feel that many Americans are taking their eye off of one of the most important issues facing our country, the War in Iraq.

In 2003, I was deployed with my Illinois Army National Guard Military Police Unit to Baghdad, Iraq. We were on the tail end of the invasion and then conducted combat operations in Baghdad for a little over a year.We were the first MP unit to enter Baghdad after the fall of Saddam Hussein.We beat Active duty MP units there by two weeks.

I was in one of those Army Guard Units that deployed with barely the shirts on our backs. We lacked basic equipment, sometimes water, ammunition, body armor for about five months, and armored Humvees for the entire year we were on combat patrols in downtown Baghdad.From day one, we were not supported adequately and the planning for the post invasion was a disaster. How we made it out of there I will never know.

The fact that one of your native sons was sent into Hell without the tools and the ammunition necessary for survival should make you angry no matter what your political party affiliation is. It has certainly changed my point of view.

Those Politicians from both parties that voted for the authorization to go to War with Iraq should be held accountable for their vote. It is very convenient that the main thrust of the mission in Iraq was to find Weapons of Mass Destruction, and then when that proved wrong, it switched to spreading Democracy.I was lied to and so were you.It almost got me killed. Our Politicians got it wrong.

I have heard arguments from others saying that, "Yes, the War in Iraq was a mistake, but its all water under the bridge".Unfortunately, I am that "water under the bridge".The US Soldiers and innocent Iraqis that I have seen killed are "water under the bridge".Their sacrifice and mine cannot and should not be dismissed like that for political gain by those in elected office.

Before you vote this November 4th, please look at the record of those from both parties you are voting for.If they voted for the War, then they deserve to lose their job. If these Politicians worked for a private company, and they made a mistake that cost that company $3,000,000,000,000 (which is what the War in Iraq is probably going to end up costing us) they would be fired immediately, even if it wasn't their fault.Our politicians should be held to even a higher standard.The lack of Term Limits in the US Congress makes Politicians vote to save their $170,000 a year careers instead of voting for what's right.Let's get rid of these career Politicians from both parties and get someone in office that works for us.

Sincerely,

Ryan Getz

Sergeant, US Army retired

Lostant, IL.

Obama, DNC in Contempt of Public

For a brief time last week, Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee were in contempt of court for refusing to produce a valid birth certificate proving that the Democratic candidate is in fact a U.S. citizen. Although a federal judge gave the defendants 30 days to produce such a simple document and although they failed to do so, the same judge quickly dismissed the lawsuit, claiming that the attorney who filed it had no legal standing.

To add another barrier to discovering the truth, the Governor of Hawaii got into the act over the weekend by placing the candidate's birth certificate under seal, to make sure no one in the press obtains access to the original document under any circumstancesuntil after the election!

So where does that leave the matter? In more doubt and suspicion than ever.

For one thing, it means that Obama and the DNC are no longer technically in contempt of court. However, it follows that they are now in contempt of all American voters, who have a right to know for certain before they vote whether or not Obama is legally eligible to be our president.

For another, it suggests, indeed it screams, that Obama and the DNC have good reason to keep the truth from the public. What else could that reason be except that the truth is too embarrassing to be revealed? Otherwise, why would they continue to refuse to settle the matter quickly and put all speculation and doubt to rest by simply showing us a copy of his birth certificate? What's the big deal? By stonewalling like this, Obama and the DNC have made it a colossal deal

One can understand why a federal judge, a Clinton appointee at that, would be reluctant to issue a ruling that would throw the entire election process into unprecedented turmoil. Where is there a judge today with enough courage to do such a thing? It would be political suicide. Better just to find a way out and let someone else take the heat.

What is impossible to understand is why the candidate himself would refuse to put all suspicion beyond the pale and make the certificate public. What is he hiding?

Apparently a lot. When you add this latest refusal to all that have gone before ­ his refusal to produce any documents supporting any of his claims ­ you have to wonder. Look at the list: Occidental College records not released. Columbia College records not released. Columbia Thesis paper "not available." Harvard College records not released. Selective Service Registration not released. Medical records not released. llinois State Senate schedule "not available." Law practice client list not released. Harvard Law Review articles published ­ none. University of Chicago scholarly articles ­ none. Baptismal record not released or "not available." Illinois State Senate records "not available."

Talk about a stealth candidate! Why would any American vote for someone they know nothing about?

Richard O'Conner

Pearl City, IL

Do You Trust Barack Obama?

He doesn't trust you! Not with your Second Amendment rights we are guaranteed by our own

Constitution or your own right to self defense.

Obama voted to pass laws and supported proposals that would:

- Ban semi-automatic firearms.

- Ban handgun ownership.

- Ban just about all standard hunting ammo as armor piercing.

- Open up the firearm industry to frivolous lawsuits.

- Raise the excise tax 500% on guns and ammo.

- Uphold local gun bans in places like Washington DC and Chicago.

- Return the Clinton gun ban.

- Impose national gun registration and licensing.

- Ban lead ammunition.

- Require mandatory micro stamping of ammunition. (Which would make ammo unaffordable.)

- Shut down all gun stores within five miles of all schools and parks nationwide.

THAT'S OBAMA'S CHANGE!

FOR A DOCUMENTED LOOK GO TO www.nraila.org/obama

Bob Jacobs

Savanna, IL.

Differences

The differences between Democrats and Republicans boil down to the issue of where they focus their trust.

Democrats trust people. They support government entitlement programs such as living wages, social security and healthcare. Democrats believe that while there are people who will take advantage of the "system," it is necessary to help the people who really are trying to succeed but need help. They believe people are generally a moral bunch that can be trusted to make moral decisions on their own. Democrats believe corporations cannot be trusted to regulate themselves and it's the government's responsibility to provide regulation.

Republicans trust the "free market" system. They support government policies that benefit large corporations and seek less corporate regulation. Republicans believe that corporate benefits will trickle down to the hardworking people. They believe people should be responsible for their income, no matter what crisis people face. Republicans believe people cannot be trusted and that if government offers aid, people will always take advantage of the "system". Because of this distrust of people, they also believe government should be actively involved in promoting morals and making moral decisions for us.

In light of our current "free market" crisis, which philosophy of trust do you think we should follow?

Jill Fredericks

Chadwick, Il

Asleep at the Wheel

Foreign car manufacturers zoom-zoom-zoomed right by the U. S. manufacturers these last eight years with their gamble on hybrid technology that not only paid big dividends for Toyota and others, they caught the big three sleeping in the oily bed of denial, and left them in the dust with their expensive gas guzzlers, factory closings and lost jobs. We find ourselves behind the eight ball today because of failed leadership and the inability of our Congress and our President to prepare U. S. manufacturing for the future.

Some of the tragedies and economic consequences we have endured seem to have taken us by surprise. However, responsible government officials and corporate officers should have seen it coming. Shipping our manufacturing jobs overseas, a fossil fuel energy crisis, an unpopular and unjustified war, soaring health care costs, and declining economic development are all problems that could have been avoided.

Our current Congressman in the 16th District was unable to deal with these challenges because of complacency and the lack of experience and expertise to confront them. Most of those in Congress do not have the experience and expertise to solve our energy problems, create and keep jobs on U. S. soil, or reduce and stabilize our health care costs. Why? Because we send the same old people back to Congress with the same old, failed policies, relying instead on lobbyists to influence policy decisions.

This election year we have the perfect opportunity to send a man to Washington who finally has the experience, courage and technical knowledge to attack our greatest problems head-on, with real solutions that are good for the economy and the environment. Bob Abboud is a nuclear engineer with more than 30 years in the energy production and trading business. He has developed a plan to achieve American energy independence and reduce the price of gasoline to $2 a gallon within 24 months of implementation.

Mr. Abboud is also a small business owner, and understands the strategic importance of manufacturing and the strength of working families. His energy and economic plans will revitalize the American auto-industry and bring new technology manufacturers and businesses to the 16th District. Bob will help restore Rockford-Freeport as manufacturing hubs by giving tax breaks to companies that keep jobs on U. S. soil, not overseas. He will also ensure that the Federal Government spends locally the majority of the $2.77 trillion allocated for goods and services, most of which is currently sent overseas.

Bob believes that giving federal contracts, especially defense contracts, to companies that move their operations overseas is a national and economic security mistake. Unlike our current Congressman, Bob will fight to ensure that United States tax dollars are spent in America first. Join me. Vote for Bob Abboud for U.S. Congress this November 4th. We can trust him to deliver the results we need and have been waiting for.

Richard Montgomery

Warren IL

Disaster Relief Needs Your Donations

Our three-county region has done well in responding to the disaster relief requests from American Red Cross. We were asked to raise $20,000 by national headquarters. Hundreds of you have responded to the Northwest Illinois Chapter's pleas on behalf of the national relief effort and have responded with $7,200 to date. Donations, however, have tapered off.

This hurricane season, more than 20,000 Red Cross volunteers have been on the ground providing cots and blankets, hot meals, and hope. Eleven volunteers deployed from our chapter alone. More than 900 evacuation centers were opened in 17 states ­ sheltering nearly 60,000 people at the peak ­ and more than 80,000 people were provided with health and mental health services. And while the storms have passed, and the media has moved on, the Red Cross is still there helping.

But an operation of this size requires an incredible amount of behind-the-scenes planning and logistics and there still isn't enough money to pay all the bills despite the concern and generosity you have shown.

In addition to the string of storms, the Red Cross has responded to a record number of tornadoes, the worst flooding in the Midwest in 15 years and an active wildfire season. And before the year is out, we likely will have responded to more than 70,000 disasters in communities nationwide ­ most of them home fires.

At the same time that we are responding to a record number of disasters, the entire country has been hit by an "economic storm" that makes fundraising all the more challenging. As a result, the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund is depleted, putting our ability to help disaster victims in jeopardy. We have cut expenses wherever possible and redoubled our fundraising efforts. While we partner with federal, state and local governments, as well as faith-based and community organizations, the American Red Cross is the only nonprofit that can mount a mass care operation on a scale of this size.

In the interim, we are borrowing money to cover our costs and fast approaching our borrowing limit. We need your help now more than ever. Please support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

This region and the rest of America is responding generously, but we still need to raise more to be prepared for the rest of this year, and next.

We can monitor our local giving if you make a donation through your local chapter. You can also contribute by visiting www.RedCross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Please give and be generous.

Thank you.

Diana Roemer

Executive Director

American Red Cross

Northwest Illinois Chapter

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