Comment on these letters by clicking here

Capitol Fax

Rich Miller's commentary on State Government

Everybody at the Illinois Statehouse always says they're for a major, multibillion-dollar public works construction plan. The problem has been that they could never agree on how to spend the money and how to pay for the massive beast.

House Speaker Michael Madigan has taken the blame for the failure of the "capital plan" during the past couple of years, and rightly so. He used every trick in the book to block it.

Then again, if Madigan hadn't killed Rod Blagojevich's extremely loosely written capital bills, Blagojevich would've probably tried to steal every last dime. To say that there were billions of dollars in almost completely undefined spending would not be an exaggeration.

With Blagojevich gone, everybody now wants to know where Madigan is on capital. And, as usual, nobody really knows what he's thinking. But lots of folks believe the tea leaves look ominous. Things just aren't going well.

The governor hasn't yet started really working legislators on behalf of his tax hike proposals. Madigan has said that passing a budget and closing the $11-12 billion deficit is his first priority, and Quinn won't back away from his income tax increase. Most legislators have never taken a truly tough vote, and hiking the income tax rate by 50 percent certainly qualifies as truly tough. The longer the tax hike is up in the air, the longer the capital plan could be delayed.

House Republican Leader Tom Cross has refused to support any tax or fee hikes to fund the capital bill. Instead he's pushing a plan derided by Madigan to vastly expand gaming during the worst gaming recession since time began.

Leader Cross and Speaker Madigan have been feuding all year, and Cross has upped the ante lately by publicly embarrassing Madigan almost every day on the House floor with one loudly debated motion after another to move hot-button but obviously dead bills out of committees. The Republicans always lose the procedural votes and then they immediately blast negative robocalls into targeted Democratic districts deriding politically vulnerable Democratic incumbents for voting against Mom and Apple Pie.

Things are getting awful testy in that chamber.

Using the recent past as a guide, Madigan might be expected to just jam through a no-tax doomsday budget, forget a capital plan altogether and adjourn. That's essentially what he did last year.

If Madigan did that again this year the result would likely be catastrophic. But perhaps a catastrophe might have to occur to wake everybody up to how serious this situation really is. Voters might be more open to a tax hike if they saw their state and local governments collapse.

There is another historical model, however: The "old" Mike Madigan. Back in 1983, the state's economic situation seemed hopeless, the state deficit was out of control and Republican Gov. Jim Thompson was begging for tax hikes. Madigan eventually relented and passed a temporary income tax hike and a one cent sales tax increase.

Nobody can really take the chance that "Old Madigan" will return, even if his daughter Lisa Madigan is leading Pat Quinn in all the polls. A recent Public Policy Polling survey of likely Democratic primary voters had Attorney General Madigan leading Gov. Quinn 45-29. A March poll of just Chicago Democrats had Madigan ahead of Quinn by a similar margin.

So, in a desperate bid to stop the unthinkable, a large group of unions and construction industry groups have plunked down a million dollars to run a TV ad during the month of May. The ad, which will air all over the state, lays out the case for a capital plan and urges people to call their legislators.

They wouldn't bother spending that kind of money if they thought the capital plan was a sure thing and had complete confidence in Madigan. And, yes, it is more than a little ironic that unions have to help ante up a million dollars in advertising to pressure a Democratic legislative leader to enact a major public works bill during the worst economic contraction since the 1930s. To say that Madigan has too much power would be the greatest understatement of the century.

The ad itself isn't exactly stunning, but that's probably not the point. Showing Madigan, Cross and everyone else that they're willing to spend serious cash to back up their words is what will get the attention. Money always talks.

Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and thecapitolfaxblog.com.

Biased Presentation

In the April 29, 2009 edition of The Prairie Advocate you printed a column written by Matthew Alschuler regarding a meeting held April 18 in Freeport. During this three hour meeting three speakers presented facts and figures pointing out the different methods for "sustainable farming over industrial farming," I had the opportunity to attend these presentations.

Throughout the speaker's lectures the theme was large farmers, either livestock or grain, are bad and hurting family farmers. We who live in rural communities have seen the change that has taken place over the last 50 years.

I was disappointed that at no time during the three hour session were there any ideas or information as to enable the "family farm" to remain a viable part of the community. Their definition for the family farm was each farm having a few chickens, hogs, milk cows and sheep. Having spent my life on a dairy farm that built a new barn to house 13 cows, I have seen the change. Many of these changes have occurred in response to the American consumer who wants a reasonably priced consistent supply of wholesale products, such as milk, pork, eggs and cereal products the year around. Economics have also been a large player in the change of farms and the rural community.

The meeting pointed out the bad part of these recent community changes but offered no solution. I was disappointed there was no mention of pending legislation, HB 3990, in the Illinois General Assembly that is currently under discussion and is being received favorably by the members of the Assembly. This pending law is designed to "create, strengthen, and expand local farm and food economics throughout Illinois. This legislation was drafted after a year's study by an advisory committee formed last year by the Illinois General Assembly. It is called the "Local Food, Farms and Jobs Act" and it would become law after final passage by our elected officials and signed by Governor Patrick Quinn. When signed it would establish a 35 member Local Food, Farms and Jobs Council appointed by the Governor. Among their many duties would include working with state agencies to purchase local farm and food products, secure necessary resources and equipment for the development of these products. This council probably would be established as a not-for-profit corporation and would not be a State Agency. It's goal is to encourage entities funded by state dollars to spend 10 percent of their funds for local farm and food products.

I am glad my state officials, Representative Jim Sacia and Senator Tim Bivins are both co-sponsors of this legislation and with it's passage it will benefit farmers, both large and small. This in turn helps support rural communities. This was not the discussion at the meeting held in Freeport April 18.

I. Ron Lawfer

Stockton, Illinois

Vote 'No' on HR 1913

Fourteen Illinois Congressmen recently voted YES on H.R. 1913, the federal hate crimes bill, with Congressman Mark Kirk and Judy Biggert as co-sponsors. This insidious bill will allow the federal government to declare a harsher punishment on crimes "motivated by prejudice" against a list of protected characteristics which include changeable behaviors such as "sexual orientation" and "gender identity." In other words, it will punish 2 identical crimes differently if one victim is a homosexual or cross dresser, essentially creating a new department within our federal government-thought enforcement.

H.R. 1913 now goes to the U.S. Senate. President Obama is expected to sign it into law. All crimes should be punished to the full extent of the law. But this bill elevates a class of citizens to extra protection based on his/her sexual preferences and wardrobe. This is a violation of the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, which secures the commitment that "all men are created equal."

In Pennsylvania in 2004, 11 Christians were arrested because of the content of their verbal message. They were charged with a felony under the state's hate crime law, for sharing God's love and forgiveness through Jesus to a group of homosexuals at a gay-pride event. One arrested was a 74 year old grandmother. If this bill becomes law, Christians and other people of faith will be silenced on the subject of homosexuality and gender confusion, or face fines and prison sentences. Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), a former judge, claims that no matter what proponents of the bill are saying now, no one can predict how it will be interpreted by future courts.

Thank you, Congressmen Roskam, Johnson, Manzullo, Schock and Shimkus for your NO votes. For those who still want to be able to speak what we believe-call Senators Durbin and Burris today and tell them to vote NO. Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121.

Kathy Valente

Lansing, IL

A Big Mayberry 'Thank You'

I am deeply humbled and thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. Mayberry Day at Express Lane was a huge success! A special note of appreciation goes out to Jeannine, manager of Express Lane for her creativity and organization of the event. Pastor Kate, the United Methodist Church, and all of you bakers, WOW! Outstanding job on the bake sale!

I appreciated the help from the "Mayberry characters," the members of the Lions Club, VFW, American Legion, Troop 61, and the Lanark Community Club. Of course, a huge thanks goes out to all of you that gave generously at the gas pump! I hope I did not forget anyone, if I did, I sincerely apologize.

Together as a community, we raised $1200.00. These funds will go forth to the Veterans Memorial in the Lanark Cemetery to purchase the needed landscaping materials to finish the memorial project.

Most sincerely,

Jake Thomas

Eagle Scout Candidate

Troop 61

Lanark, Illinois

Global Warming? Prove It

Man-made global warming proponents are very good at citing lots of names, and suggesting that any non-believer has some dastardly motive for denying the "Truth". I believe the truth should be established via the scientific method.

The first clue that science has been tossed aside is reflected in statements of the "reality" or "certainty" of global warming. Scientists don't refer to anything as a certainty - the makeup of the atom is a theory, electricity is a theory, even gravity is a theory. These theories are all commonly accepted because of the preponderance of repeatable experiments which confirm them.

Not only has no experiment been proposed to demonstrate the mythical properties ascribed to "greenhouse gasses", no theory has even been advanced. Standard theories of thermodynamics or radiation don't seem to apply, as none of the "greenhouse gasses" has thermal coefficients or spectral absorbtion which differentiates them from "good" gasses.

One theory for naturally caused global warming has been postulated by the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA), but they're still researching this, so it can't yet be accepted.

The bottom line is this; The True Believers of man-made global warming must develop a theory to explain the mechanism by which some gasses are a problem, but not others. Once this theory is developed, the Believers must then devise a repeatable experiment to validate the theory. Anything less is merely "junk science".

Given the technology available to researchers today, it's long past time to "put up or shut up". After all, we're just talking about warming up a few grams of readily available gasses. Not nearly as tough as Einstein proving the warping of Space-Timewith no more than a train, a telescope, and a solar eclipse. For the record, the "scientific consensus" (Nobel laureates and all) at the time absolutely, positively, certainly, and with no doubts, knew Einstein was wrong.

Terry Smith

Lanark, IL

Science or Religion?

Response to Global Warming

If one were to follow the simple logic often used today: that because a person is wrong about one thing, they are wrong about everything and potentially a villian. Therefore, no one can believe anything Al Gore says because he said he invented the Internet. Or, because Barack Obama said he had visited 57 states means that, at a minimum, our President knows very little about the country he is leading. There's more: Dan Quayle is a total idiot because he spells potato the old fashioned way, potatoe. Also, now that Exxon/Mobil agrees that there is global warming, they are a benefactor of mankind, not the soulless corporation of the past. Does this line of thinking mean that because Hitler was good to the SS, that he was a benefactor of humanity? This is the way our media portrays the world with only fragments of partial truths, not including important connections, but agendas with a twist. If you read the propaganda the PA receives daily from governmental and other agencies, you would understand this reasoning.

At least the Hudson Foundation is transparent about their funding. The Pew Charitable Trusts have zero, I repeat, zero transparancy. as to the origin of their support. To discover an agenda, follow the money and their is absolutely no money to follow with many foundations or institutes., the Pew Charitable Trusts being one, that are so often given the status of "authority." The Union for Concerned Scientists will not reveal their funding as well.

Everyone, foundation, corporation and person has an agenda, even the Union for Concerned Scientist and whoever funds them.

Since Al Gore won a Nobel Prize over a woman who saved Jews during the Holocaust, I have little respect for the Nobel accolade. Also, the Kyoto agreement was not signed by the U.S. or many other scientists for good reason.

It is necessary to be a good steward of our resources as some ancient societies' sudden demise can attest to. Simply put, the incomplete statistics do not imply that global warming, if indeed it is warming, is due to humanity or is unusual in the Earth's history. The core drillings in the Arctic have shown that CO² levels have fluctuated over the course of history, most of it without human intervention. There is no way of knowing what temperatures were before the advent of accurate thermometers 150 years ago or so. From 1940 to 1980, there was global cooling. In the 70's, it was the impending Ice Age that was the threat. Many young people don't remember that and aren't taught it.

From what I have read, water vapor is what holds the heat in and there is no way of knowing which came first, the heat or the vapor.

It is arrogant to think that mankind has that much influence in this vast universal ecosystem that so little is known about. When you consider that all of humanity could have a home in the state of Texas and that planet Earth is only a speck in the vast Milky-Way galaxy, which is only a speck in the Universe, how can anyone think that humanity has much if any control over Mother Earth?

Anthropogenic (originating from human activity) global warming, "Save the Earth" campaigns could well be a means used to further control people through terror and taxes. Some in our government are getting ready to ram "green" cap and trade taxes down our throats that will seriously affect all Americans' lives. On April 24, Al Gore testified to the House Energy and Commerce Committee on cap-and-trade hearings. He stated, "every penny that I have made I have put right into a nonprofit, the Alliance for Climate Protection, to spread awareness of why we have to take on this challenge." This is patently a lie and you need to read articles on Investors Business Daily¹ and on Bloomberg.com² to find out exactly what Al invests his money in. Al's investing is not an altruistic endeavor to benefit mankind.The list is far too long to include it here.

Investor's Business Daily editorial¹ put it so well:

Global Warming: At the cap-and-trade hearings, it was revealed that not everyone will suffer from this growth-killing energy tax. A congresswoman wanted to know why sea levels aren't rising but Gore's bank account is.

Considering that plants need CO² to produce oxygen, which we all agree is good for humanity, wouldn't it be prudent to encourage growing trees and other ground cover to help digest the less than 1% carbon dioxide in our atmosphere?

Roy W. Spencer Ph.D. also aptly addresses this issue in a paper, "Manmade Global Warming: Science or Religion?" ³

Following is the summation of the article.

Manmade Global Warming: Pending Catastrophe, or Unfounded Fear?

I hope I have convinced you that there are still large uncertainties associated with the theory that mankind's greenhouse gas emissions have a substantial effect on climate. Recent pronouncements that "all scientists agree" and "the debate is over" have no basis in fact; they have instead become urban legends which are endlessly repeated by politicians and members of the media.

Ultimately, the climate modeler's claim that global warming is a serious threat is based upon his faith in our current understanding of what controls climate variability. The believer in a creator God is more likely to believe that the climate system is resilient. In contrast, the atheist is more likely to believe that ­ since the Earth and its inhabitants are just a cosmic accident ­ the climate system, biosphere, and humanity itself could be standing at the precipice of a great disaster.

Indeed, we are in a grand climate experiment. But unlike other 'hard science' disciplines, this experiment can not be tested in the laboratory. This puts global warming predictions outside the realm of testable science. Therefore, the reasons why so many climate scientists are so sure of their global warming predictions must be sought outside of the realm of 'evidence'. I believe that those reasons are more likely to be found in the scientists' worldviews, religious beliefs, political leanings, professional interactions with other scientists, career and financial interests, misunderstandings about basic economics and policy, and their search for significance as part of a movement that is trying to "Save the Earth".

Finally, it needs to be understood that science has nothing to say about what should be done about global warming, or any other environmental problem. It can only attempt to understand and describe how the natural world operates.

This is a "must read" article and explains the 'science' or lack of it in plain layman's terms.

There are so many reputable scientists who dispute the global warming threat that it would take pages to list them all and what they are saying of the situation.

Dr. Spencer is a climatologist with many years of experience. By the way, Dr. Spencer's research has been entirely supported by U.S. government agencies: NASA, NOAA, and DOE. He has never been asked by any oil company to perform any kind of service. Not even Exxon-Mobil. (from his website)

Visit Dr. Spencer's website. There is more to global warming information than The Union for Concerned Scientists or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The former, once again, does not disclose funding, the latter is funded by the United Nations. Draw your own conclusions from that.

If we continue to parrot what the media and people like Al Gore or James Hanson (NASA physicist funded by the Soros Open Society Institute ⁴) says without thought and don't begin to think for ourselves, we will be led like lambs to the slaughter, totally oblivious to how these cap-and-trade taxes will impact most of us. If we wish to be a free people, we must take responsibility for whom we elect, and hold them accountable to serve us and not themselves. This means taking the time to investigate what is happening in government and not taking the media's or politicians' word for it, especially not Al Gore's whose consistent self-serving reputation precedes him.

Lynn Kocal

PA Webmaster

1 http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=325899798635675

2 http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a7li9Nhmhvg0&refer=home

3 http://www.publicpolicy.umd.edu/Fetter/Presentations/2007-11-14-Spencer.pdf

4 http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=275526219598836

'Swine' Flu Misleading

Dear Friends,
Neighbors and Family,

No doubt you have all heard of the outbreak of the H1N1 virus that the media has been calling "Swine Flu". We feel compelled to provide you with the best information about this situation that we have available.

First and most importantly, pork and pork products are safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) influenza H1N1 "is not transmitted by food. You cannot get this flu from eating pork products." U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, has said that the virus should not be called "swine flu" because there is no evidence that any swine in the U.S. or anywhere in the world have been found infected or sick with the virus.

Secondly, modern pork production practices are designed to protect both animal and human health. Animals are housed in facilities that are designed to ensure health and safety of the herd. These practices keep animals, clean, safe and protect the animals from predators, disease and extreme weather.

Finally, the CDC has also said that is has found no evidence to indicate that any of the human illnesses resulted from contact with pigs.

If you would like additional information, check out the National Pork Board's website at www.pork.org and the National Pork Producers Council website at www.nppc.org.

We take seriously our role to be responsible members of our community, and to provide pork products for consumers around the world.

Thank you,

Chastity Welch

Manager,

Carroll County Farm Bureau

Looking For Angels

As a volunteer arts'n'crafts teacher at Rolling Hills Progress Center, I listen to the wish lists the teachers and staff are looking at in order to help the clients. The latest is a Nintendo Wii Fitness. The Wii will work on hand-eye coordination, muscular workout, skill ability, and a great way to improve their health.

The Wii is not that expensive, but beyond the means of the employees. The clients work hard supplying Wahl Clipper and other companies with dedicated work (8-hours a day). A little respite from the job would be greatly appreciated.

If you feel like being an angel, would you join me and contribute to this cause? If so, send contributions to Rolling Hills, Plant One, PO Box 85, Lanark, IL 61046, c/o Marilyn Parks.

Claire Holmberg,

Lake Carroll, IL

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

With only a few short weeks left to bring a sensible budget on-line, a great division remains on several crucial points: Will taxes be raised? Will services be cut? Will incentives be created to stimulate business development? How will the President's stimulus package affect Northwest Illinois? These are only a few of the questions the General Assembly is wrestling with. I personally remain optimistic that along with our budget, we will put together a sensible capital (jobs) bill.

I sometimes think we "threw the baby out with the bath water." Do you remember last summer when then-Governor Blagojevich had Glenn Poshard, retired U.S. Congressman and current President of Southern Illinois University, along with former Speaker of the U. S. House Dennis Hastert, put together a jobs and infrastructure bill that just might have worked but for the bad blood between Governor Blagojevich and Speaker Madigan? My point is: are parts of that plan still viable? Yes, I am working to get that answer.

On numerous occasions I have promised to be persistent in my efforts to open Thomson Prison. On April 28th, I personally delivered the following letter signed by eight area legislators to Governor Quinn's secretary:

Dear Governor Quinn,

We, the following legislators request an audience to discuss opening Thomson Prison to full capacity as soon as possible.

The Illinois Department of Corrections is at 129 percent capacity. Maximum Security is approaching 170 percent.

In Fiscal year 2009, the Department of Corrections is projected to pay $61 million in overtime compensation to corrections officers.

Thomson is operating with minimum security prisoners only. 1,600 new maximum security cells remain vacant at this new state of the art facility.

The Department of Corrections has fully trained guard staff prepared for Thomson.

We can bring Thomson fully operational for $40 million.

Thank you in advance, Governor, for an opportunity to see you regarding this most important matter.

Very Truly Yours,

Senator Mike Jacobs

Senator Tim Bivins

Senator Dan Rutherford

Representative Mike Boland

Representative Patrick Verschoore

Representative Jim Sacia

Representative Jerry Mitchell

Representative Bob Pritchard

Thus far, Governor Quinn has been very receptive to visiting with legislators with such important issues.

On another important issue, I have just received a letter from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency listing projects in the 89th district where drinking water upgrades are under consideration. I, of course, am advocating on behalf of the following projects:

· Dakota ­ a total of $1.925 million for multiple water system improvements, distribution system upgrade and improvements to wells #1 and #2

Scales Mound ­ $650,000 for a new water storage tank

Warren ­ $975,000 for water main and meter replacement

East Dubuque ­ $906,000 for well rehabilitation

Apple River ­ $1.150 million for new elevated storage

Stockton ­ $1.1 million for distribution system improvements

Rock City ­ $120,000 for a new well, chlorination, and paint for the main water storage tank

Hanover ­ $600,000 for a new water storage tank

Freeport ­ a total of $6.25 million for a new well, treatment and storage tank, along with WTP upgrades

Mt. Morris ­$65,000 for a new well

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at 815/232-0774 or e-mail us at jimsacia@aeroinc.net. You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.

world wide web prairie advocate