Separation of Church and State?

Rape has another meaning per Oxford Dictionary-to-spoil or destroy a place, namely the religious zealots who want control of our government/our country and our people by their own rules and laws ONLY. Speaking as a woman, what a woman can and cannot do with her own body voted on by men. Speak UP women and vote these legislators out. Speak up all Americans for the good of all people.

Churches who encourage degrading our brave military at cemetery sites should NOT be called houses of worship.

Julie Kilpatrick
Hanover, IL

One-Hour Reflection And Dedication To Liberty And America

On Labor Day, Sept. 3rd 2012, 7-8pm Elect A New Congress is asking all Americans to turn off as much electricity as they can and light a candle to shine the Light of Liberty, and quietly consider and commit ourselves to working to create a better America on election day, November 6th, 2012.

It is a small step, but collectively it can show us how we Americans, by each ones individual action, can make a massive impact when we act as one. Our objective is to electrify enough American households to create a rolling electrical “white out”, as registered electrical power demand noticeably drops, and show the power of our collective action.

We want to make that needle bounce and drop.

“If we can do that, it will be a clear signal to all. Then we can move forward, building on the notice we have served going into November, alerting all 162,000,000 registered American voters to vote for and elect a new Congress dedicated to serving the people and restoring our rule over our government, thereby restoring an America based in Liberty, with its natural abundance for all”, said founder of Elect A New Congress, author, William W. Fawell.

The website, www.electanewcongress.com, features the Petition demanding Congress recover all of its constitutional duties and return their debate and action, back to the Public Forum. This simple mechanism in the U.S. Constitution is the only way the people can rule over the government, and defines Liberty.

The Petition, in lieu of the transparency the Public Forum establishes in government, serves as the litmus test America needs to demand of any and all candidates for Congress. To be included on the site will be a compilation of every congressional district in all 50 states of the Union, listing every candidate and whether they support the Petition, or not. Those candidates who do, deserve our vote. Those who do not, do not deserve our vote.

“So prepare if you will to turn off the TV set, your A/C if you can, cut back the lights and light a candle. If you’re with family or friends, you can share a meal by candlelight, but make sure to share your commitment, and let our minds rest upon the future of America, our homes, our friends, our family, and our future”, Fawell continued.

“And let us resolve to do whatever it takes to bring awareness to everyone around us, that if we can act as one, just this one time, we will have the power to change America for the better, and to even change the world.”

Editor’s Note: You can also sign a petition to ask our Representatives to take back their jobs and have a transparent government at the following website.

Bill Fawell
Elect a New Congress

http://electanewcongress.com

Cheri Bustos: Obama in a dress?

Cheri Bustos touts herself as a typical Midwestern gal with family values. You know, one of us. In reality her radical views are more in line with the far-left views of Barack Obama.

Ms. Bustos claims to be a practicing Catholic. However, she is a vocal supporter of abortion on demand, partial-birth abortion, homosexual marriage and the rest of the radical homosexual agenda; which is in defiance of her own church’s doctrine. Her radical political agenda seems to take precedent over the church. Ms. Bustos supports higher taxes on small business (me) to force her social agenda on the rest of us. Once again, her views are in lock step with Obama’s radical leftist agenda.

While Ms. Bustos is not shy about criticizing Representative Schilling on job creation, she fails to mention that Rep. Schilling has voted for at least 30 job creating bills in the House, all of which have been killed by her party (Democrat) in the Senate. If she is truly interested in putting Americans back to work, she would ask her Godfather, Sen. Durbin to tell Sen. Harry Reid to allow these 30 jobs creating bills to come to the floor for a vote.

But it appears as if she is more interesting in political posturing, than taking a stand for job creation.

Michael Messinger
Milan, IL

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

In many ways it was a day of history in the making. It’s the first time since 1905 that we in the Illinois House of Representatives expelled a member, namely Derrick Smith, with a vote of 100 to 6 for allegedly taking a bribe.

The big issue for being called to Springfield was to deal with the pension issue. The only way to describe that would be “laughable”. We accomplished nothing and Speaker Madigan again showed political brilliance.

Here is what happened – Our state’s five pension systems face a cumulative $83 billion deficit: 1. Teacher Retirement System $43.8 billion, 2. Service Employees $20.4 billion, 3. State Universities’ Retirement System $17.2 billion, 4. Judges $1.3 billion, 5. General Assembly $200 million.

It was decided by the powers that be – Speaker Madigan, Governor Quinn, and President Cullerton – that we’d deal with General Assembly (GARS) only. That is less than .3 percent of the problem. So much for comprehensive reform! Okay, I get it; it’s a start in the right direction. Deal with our own system first, even though the state currently spends $12 million a day on pensions and if this passes we’ll still spend $12 million per day.

Go there with me – Speaker Madigan is “in the chair”. Amendment 3 to SB3168 is to eliminate the General Assembly Retirement System completely starting with new legislators after June of 2013 and it eliminates all other language of the bill. The bill is on second reading which is a constitutional requirement to get to third reading, where then and only then, can the bill be voted on for final action. If passed, it goes to the Senate and the process is repeated. If the Senate passes it, it goes to the Governor. What’s this? Senators are coming into the Chamber, they have adjourned. Wait a minute – if the Senate has gone home, why will we go to third reading and pass it out of the House? The Speaker is challenged by my good friend Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst). The response “ah, President Cullerton is available by phone”. Something is starting to smell. The Speaker announces there will be a recorded vote. In ten years I’ve seldom if ever seen a recorded vote on second reading of an amendment to a bill. It is simply a procedure to roll the amendment to third reading where the entire bill is thoroughly debated and a recorded vote is then taken. I’m starting to get the picture. This bill will never go to third reading. Here is the best part. An amendment needs only a simple majority of the members present to pass. The Speaker gets the recorded vote of 54 yes, 53 no and it is not along party lines. I smile and bet to myself, he will not roll the amendment to third reading for a final vote of the entire bill. The Speaker adjourns the House to the call of the chair.

What did we accomplish? There is a political trophy in a recorded vote to use for or against members. You just have to marvel at politics, we all should be outraged.

September 5, 2012 I will be at the Mayor’s Office in East Dubuque from 10:00 A.M. until noon and in Hanover at the Village Hall from 1:30 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. to visit.

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at or e-mail us at You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.