Something extraordinary happened yesterday. The Democrat controlled State Senate led by Democrat John Cullerton discussed our state fiscal crisis. What was extraordinary about it is that they met in secret and locked out the press, the cameras and the public. You read that right, they dealt with state business (and likely their massive tax increase plans) in a backroom.
Despite our Constitution requiring the Senate to meet in the open and the intent of the Open Meetings Act to require it, they discussed the mess they caused and how they’ll take more of our money behind closed doors. They have no shame.
Democrat called it a “joint caucus” meeting, so he says it’s ok. I could put on a black cape and run circles under the rotunda and call myself Batman, that doesn’t make it true. But Democrats like Cullerton get away with word games because they have *complete* power in the legislature. So does Mike Madigan, and that is the problem.
How do you deal with a problem like Mike Madigan?
In 2012, I plan to throw him a very pleasant retirement party. Here’s how.
With some of the top minds in Illinois, we wrote the Put-Back Amendment to end the radical consolidation of power in Springfield. It enacts term limits of 8 years, legislative leaders are limited to 4 years. All legalization must be made public for 7 days before a final vote. 25 legislators can force an up or down vote on any bill. No longer is it necessary to kiss Mike Madigan’s ring to get good law considered. It ends gerrymandering by requiring maps be drawn on objective criteria with anyone(not just corrupt insiders) being able to participate in the map-drawing process. And it returns to 3-member districts with cumulative voting that we had before 1980.
What will it cost to have Mike Madigan’s retirement party? Just 1 sheet of 15 signatures. If we want to end the culture of corruption and “secret” meetings in Springfield, it costs each of you one petition with 15 signatures in the next 7 days (Feb 26th).
If we get 500,000 signatures total by April, we will get this on the
ballot. If the voters say yes, it becomes law. Mike Madigan cannot stop
this.
Learn more about the Put-Back Amendment and download petitions at
http://www.putbackamendment.com.
Join the facebook page at:
http://www.6acebook.com/putback
Together we can take back our state from the corrupt Chicago political machine, but its up to us. Can I count on you to get just 1 petition sheet filled and sent back?
If so, I look forward to seeing you at Mike Madigan’s retirement party in 2012!
Sincerely,
John Bambenek
Precinct Committeeman
Champaign County
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JohnBambenek
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bambenek
P.S. The timing of this amendment is critical. If we don’t get this on the ballot, Mike Madigan will control the redistricting process and I don’t need to tell you how destructive that would be for our party and how legislators like Rep. Aaron Schock could be forced into retirement. Act now, just 1 sheet is all it takes.