House of Representatives

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Budget - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Freedom - House of Representatives - Liberals - Nancy Salvato - President - Senate - Taxes

‘Excuse Me…Can You Help Me Out with Some Change?’

December 26, 2009 by

-By Nancy Salvato

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” – Lao Tzu

Every evening on my way to Union Station, the same set of street hustlers are hanging about, soliciting for a handout. Some line the sidewalk, perched on the foldable camping chairs one would expect to see toted by soccer moms en route to children’s’ organized sporting events, not associated with placards that read homeless or jobless. Others play instruments; one man strategically situated on the bridge playing plastic buckets for drums, another accompanies himself with some kind of Karaoke machine. There is also a Saxophone player on occasion and I have sometimes thought to myself that they should all get together and form a band. One fellow simply whines, using the same line every time I pass him, “Please, can you help me buy a meal at McDonalds, please?” Once in awhile, if I have stayed for dinner in the city and need to take a cab to the station, there are hustlers that magically appear to open the passenger door upon my arrival, expecting a tip for their efforts.

The cynical side of me rationalizes away their plight by thinking if these people can spend this much time figuring out ways to relieve me of my spare change, why not just apply for a legitimate job providing some type of service? Is it that they can clear more money working on the streets? Would earning a paycheck cause them to lose their welfare or unemployment? Do they not want to work for someone? What drives this practice? Most don’t appear incompetent. And they are out there regularly, as if they were putting in regular hours on the job. While I can walk past these people, without feeling compelled to give them a contribution, I find it particularly unsettling, when hustlers are accompanied by their children, who must watch their parents, beg for money.
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‘Excuse Me…Can You Help Me Out with Some Change?’”

Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Campaign Finance - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - House of Representatives - Liberals - President - Senate - Socialism - Society/Culture - Taxes - The Heritage Foundation - Warner Todd Huston

The Debt Limit Made Simple

December 23, 2009 by

The Heritage Foundation brings us “The Debt Limit Made Simple. This video takes you to the United Estates–a gated community in sunny Florida–to help you understand the impact of Congress decision to annually raise our nations debt limit without addressing the out-of-control spending that keeps us buried in debt.

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - House of Representatives - Liberals - President - Republicans - Socialism - Society/Culture - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Surprise: Obama Springs to Action With Federal Cash for Alabama

December 23, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Tropical Storm Ida happened well over a month ago, almost two now. But regardless, the great father in Washington has generously opened up the federal purse to help those struggling folks that lost so much to that storm. The devastation was so bad that USA Today said of the storm, “Tropical Storm Ida slogged ashore in the area in November with heavy rains but left relatively little damage.”

Huh? Wait a minute? If the storm wasn’t so bad, why is the Obama Administration suddenly, almost two months later, making a show of sending federal disaster money to Alabama?

Oh, wait. Maybe this is why…

Rep. Griffith of Alabama leaves Democrats for Republicans

Freshman Rep. Parker Griffith (D-Ala.) switched his affiliation to the Republican Party on Tuesday, saying he could “no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country.”

Hmmm. Maybe Obama is trying to bribe the left over Democrats of Alabama with federal “disaster” cash in order to make sure no more of them jump into Representative Griffith’s boat?

What else could explain this quixotic largess but bribery?
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Surprise: Obama Springs to Action With Federal Cash for Alabama”

Campaign Finance - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - Health - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Senate - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

The Lobbying Army in Congress for Healthcare

December 21, 2009 by

The Chicago Tribune has an excellent resource reporting the number of lobbyists that are involved in the healthcare debate as it winds through Congress.

For instance, did you know that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D, Nev.) has 13 of his former staff members now working as lobbyists for the healthcare industry? Our own Senator, Dick Durbin (D, Ill.) who is also the Majority Whip, has 8 of his former staffers lobbying for the healthcare industry and GOP Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has seen 5 of his staffers quit to lobby for healthcare.

The webpage is interactive and you can search by lawmaker and committee. You can also search by client and download all the data.

It is some very interesting info that you should check out.

The information was assembled by the Trib staff and the Medill News Service of the Northwestern University School of Journalism.

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - House of Representatives - Liberals - Socialism - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Thomas Brewton

Closing the Barn Door

December 19, 2009 by

-By Thomas E. Brewton

Procrustean regulation of banks and other financial institutions, passed by the House and pending in the Senate, will not prevent the next credit debacle and economic recession.

The House of Representatives has just passed a bill, primarily the brain child of Congressman Barney Frank, that expands the scope and detailed depth of financial markets’ regulation.

For public consumption, Congressman Frank’s legislation aims to prevent future financial meltdowns. This it will fail to do. It will, however, continue the long standing animosity between Democrat/Socialists and Wall Street and the business community.

Accepting the Democrat/Socialist Party’s nomination for the presidency in 1936, Franklin Roosevelt railed against the “economic royalists” who were allegedly seeking a “new industrial dictatorship.” Privately, he opined that businessmen as a class were stupid, that newspapers were just as bad. During the election campaign of 1936, in an address at Madison Square Garden, he fulminated against the magnates of “organized money.” To uprorious applause, he threatened: “I should like to have it said of my second Administration that in it these forces met their master.”
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Closing the Barn Door”

Ann "Babe" Huggett - Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Freedom - House of Representatives - Immigration/Immigrants - Liberals - Republicans - Socialism - Society/Culture - Taxes - The Law - Welfare

Obama Administration Sets The Stage For Bogus Asylum Seekers To Take America By Storm

December 18, 2009 by

-By Ann “Babe” Huggett

It’s such a little AP notice; hardly more than a blip on the news ticker but, as of January 4, 2010, Immigration and Customs Enforcement will no longer detain asylum seekers to the US if they can prove a credible fear of persecution in their home countries. ICE Director, John Morton, under the orders of the Obama Administration, said that if asylum seekers can meet certain conditions then they can temporarily enter the US.

At time of entry, the asylum seeker must be able to prove their identities, not be a danger to America, not be a flight risk and must fear for their lives or physical safety if they return home. As it stands now, any asylum seeker without documentation is deported immediately while many of the documented are detained until processed.

As with any so-called “improvement” by socialist dominated regimes in once free Western countries, it is always important to go beyond what looks good on their paper to see what such programs look like in practice in other nations. In spite of President Obama’s best efforts to totally alienate them, one need not look any further than our still closest ally, Great Britain.
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Obama Administration Sets The Stage For Bogus Asylum Seekers To Take America By Storm”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - California - Capitalism - Communism - Congress - Conservatives - Constitution - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Education - Elections - Free Trade - Freedom - GOP - House of Representatives - Immigration/Immigrants - Liberals - Republicans - Socialism - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston - Western Civilization

Rep. Brian Billbray: Rep. Gutierrez is Creating the Next Wave of Illegal Immigration

December 16, 2009 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Representative Luis Gutierrez (D, IL) will introduce another stab at “comprehensive immigration reform” this month and it’s been given another one of those Orwellian names that you know means the opposite of what it says in the title. Gutierrez is calling this mess the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009, or the CIR ASAP — in other words Comprehensive Immigration Reform ASAP.

The simple fact of the matter is that, regardless of the name, this legislation will do nothing whatever to help our security or our prosperity. In fact it will damage both.

In his press release touting this bill, Gutierrez said the following:

“We have waited patiently for a workable solution to our immigration crisis to be taken up by this Congress and our President,” said Rep. Gutierrez. “The time for waiting is over. This bill will be presented before Congress recesses for the holidays so that there is no excuse for inaction in the New Year. It is the product of months of collaboration with civil rights advocates, labor organizations, and members of Congress. It is an answer to too many years of pain —mothers separated from their children, workers exploited and undermined security at the border— all caused at the hands of a broken immigration system. This bill says ‘enough,’ and presents a solution to our broken system that we as a nation of immigrants can be proud of.”

This morning I spoke to Representative Brian Billbray in that nation’s capitol and found him chagrined by the whole thing. Billbray is the Chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus and is from California’s 50th District which is situated in the San Diego County area.
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Rep. Brian Billbray: Rep. Gutierrez is Creating the Next Wave of Illegal Immigration”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Cook County Board - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Tony Peraica Endorses 5th District Challenger David Ratowitz

December 15, 2009 by

From the Ratowitz campaign:

“His grassroots campaign is firing on all cylinders, aiming well beyond the February Primary to retake Illinois’ 5th Congressional District for Republicans in November.”

CHICAGO – December 15, 2009 – U.S. House candidate David Ratowitz (IL-5) has received the official endorsement of renowned conservative activist Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica in his run for the Republican nomination in the February 2 Primary Election. Peraica has released the following remarks:

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Tony Peraica Endorses 5th District Challenger David Ratowitz”

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Free Trade - Freedom - House of Representatives - Liberals - President - Republicans - Senate - Taxes - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

A Message to Senators Landrieu and Reid form the Louisiana Tea Partiers

December 14, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

This past Saturday, hundreds of people gathered in the pouring rain in New Orleans, Louisiana, to tell Senator Harry Reid (D, Nev.) and Senator Mary Landrieu (D, Loius.). As you may know, Senator Reid was supposed to attend a fundraiser in New Orleans, but canceled his plans to attend when he started taking heat for “asking Republicans for the weekend off.” [The Hill Blog also covered this]

Once again we see Harry Reid’s hypocrisy. but the tea party folks won’t let him forget it! News is Reid is having trouble with his Nevada reelection bid, too. Wouldn’t it be grand if another Senate Majority Leader was Daschled!


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A Message to Senators Landrieu and Reid form the Louisiana Tea Partiers”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Communism - Congress - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Education - Elections - Family - Free Trade - Freedom - GOP - Health - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Socialism - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

TAPROOT: Christmas Candidate Forum

December 14, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Tonight I attended the TAPROOT Christmas event and listened to 15 Republican state-wide and DuPage County candidates all of whom came to address those gathered at the Hilton in Lisle to hear them speak. From Gubernatorial candidates, Senate candidates, judges and local county folks to… is it right to say Lt. Gubernatorial candidates? If so, it sounds odd… anyway, it was a whirlwind session of candidates and a good time was had by all.

If it could be said that there was a theme of the day then it had to be jobs and the economy. Every candidate had something to say about the subject that weighs so heavily on all of us.

15 candidates is a lot of folks to hear from and each got about 5 or 10 minutes to lay out their case and then a few minutes for questions. We were pleased to hear from two candidates for governor and there were quite a lot of candidates for Lt. Governor, as well, three in all. Three Senate candidates appeared, two Comptroller candidates, one Sec. of State candidate, one Congressional candidate, two judges and a DuPage County commission candidate.

Appearing in order were:

I know, phew!
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TAPROOT: Christmas Candidate Forum”

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Budget - California - Capitalism - Communism - Congress - Conservatives - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Education - Founders - Frank Salvato - Free Trade - Freedom - History - House of Representatives - Liberals - President - Religion - Socialism - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - The Law

American Liberty v. Obama’s Social Engineering

December 13, 2009 by

-By Frank Salvato

After the General Election of 2008 I made a conscious effort to give President Obama a chance. I wanted to give him an opportunity to be true to his word; to prove that he was committed to governing from the center. I also wanted to demonstrate that I was not of the same ilk as the Bush-hating, “he stole the election,” fact-ignoring Progressive malcontents that served to divide the country over the eight years of the Bush Administration. But now, a year after the election, and as we approach a full year of the Obama Administration, it has become abundantly clear that Mr. Obama has abandoned almost all of his campaign promises (but for his commitments to the SEIU) and is governing from the far Left. He has instituted a campaign of social engineering that can only be described as a direct threat to liberty.

Liberty
Liberty is defined as, “freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.” It was the single most motivating factor in the American Revolution and war for independence. Our Founders and Framers risked their lives to free the people of what would become our nation from the elitist tyranny of King George and his court, a tyranny that choked liberty – personal and societal – dead.

In addition to the limitations placed on religious freedom and freedom of speech, taxation was excessive and exploitative and it was imposed without representation. Many of the colonists believed the denial of direct representation in the British Parliament was an illegal denial of their rights, as colonists were considered Englishmen subject to the king’s rule. Thus the credo, “no taxation without representation,” served as the rallying cry for Patriots in each of the thirteen colonies as they coalesced into a movement toward American independence.

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American Liberty v. Obama’s Social Engineering”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Communism - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Health - House of Representatives - Jobs - Liberals - SEIU - Senate - Socialism - Society/Culture - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Unions Again In DC Arguing Against ‘Cadillac Plan’ Tax

December 12, 2009 by

By Warner Todd Huston

The Associated Press reports the words of Lily Eskelsen, vice president of the National Education Association, who went to Washington D.C. to protest the so-called Cadillac healthcare plan tax currently in the Senate’s healthcare bill. “We should tax the millionaires, not teachers and bus drivers,” she told reporters.

This has been the constant refrain from Big Unions since Senator Max Baucus (D, Montana) included the taxing plan into his Senate version of Obamacare earlier this year. This 40 percent tax plan would kick in for any employee whose healthcare plan reaches $8,500 per year for individuals or $23,000 for families.

Of course, there is a fatal flaw in the Democrat’s assumptions of what this tax will do. As the AP reports, “The tax would raise some $150 billion over 10 years to help pay for the Democrats’ nearly $1 trillion health care bill.”
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Unions Again In DC Arguing Against ‘Cadillac Plan’ Tax”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

5th District: David Ratowitz Victorious in Nominating Petition Challenge

December 9, 2009 by

One petition bid challenge is down, at least. Now let’s hope that Phil Collins and Steve Rauschenberger find their challenges removed.

“All objections against District 5 congressional candidate’s signatures withdrawn at 11th hour”

CHICAGO – December 9, 2009 – Minutes before the Illinois State Board of Elections was set to formally dismiss the case, objectors to 5th Congressional District candidate David Ratowitz’s nominating petitions withdrew their challenge.

An official records review on December 3 overwhelmingly upheld the validity of Ratowitz’s petition signatures, finding that some of the objectors’ claims were based on technicalities overruled by the Illinois Supreme Court more than 30 years ago.
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5th District: David Ratowitz Victorious in Nominating Petition Challenge”

Barack Obama - Children - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Family - House of Representatives - Liberals - State Government - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

The Teacher’s Union That Stole Christmas

December 9, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Weekly Standard has an excellent new article in its latest issue that reports on the discouraging story of the Washington D.C. teachers union that is rushing headlong toward destroying the successful and popular federally-funded D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP).

The program has helped many disadvantaged D.C. are kids get a better and safer education than they would have gotten in the violence plagued public schools system. But Democratic lawmakers in Congress have continually announced their lack of support for the voucher plan despite the inner city kids that have benefited from it all.
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The Teacher’s Union That Stole Christmas”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Dold for Congress Holiday Gift Drive for the Troops

December 9, 2009 by

From the Dold campaign…

With Hanukkah coming up later this week and Christmas just around the corner, I would like to ask for your help in supporting our troops who are stationed overseas during the holiday season.

Dold for Congress has partnered with Any Soldier, Inc., a nationwide non-profit organization that sends supplies and packages to troops who are in need of basic items. We’re asking members of the 10th District community to help us make the holidays brighter for these young American servicemen who give so much to keep us free. We have selected three soldiers from Illinois—one stationed in Afghanistan and two in Iraq—who have provided Any Soldier, Inc. with a wish list of items they need during the holiday season.

Please drop off any of the items listed below at Dold for Congress Headquarters, 511 Lincoln Ave. in Winnetka, anytime between Tuesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 17, 2009. On Dec. 18, we’ll send out the holiday packages to the troops.
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Dold for Congress Holiday Gift Drive for the Troops”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

2nd District Hayes: Harry Reid Needs a History Lesson

December 9, 2009 by

From the Hayes campaign:

CHICAGO – December 8, 2009: The following statement was released today by Rev. Isaac C. Hayes, the GOP nominee for Congress in IL-2, and opponent of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) in response to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) comparing opponents of heath care reform to opponents of the emancipation of slaves:

“Harry Reid’s rush to use race in the health care debate is exactly why we should not rush this bill” said Hayes. “History reveals that it was Mr. Reid’s Party that opposed the emancipation of slaves and the Republican Party that was the vanguard of freedom. A brief review of history will record the Republican President Abraham Lincoln abolishing slavery and the Republican Caucus voting in a larger percentage for Civil Rights legislation than their Democratic counterparts. It is quite evident Mr. Reid has not read a history book or the bill he wants to force through.”

www.isaac4honesty.com

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

14th District: Jeff Danklefsen Drops Bid, Now Down to Two

December 8, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

And now the 14th District is down to a two man race. First time candidate Jeff Danklefsen has dropped his bid and is now endorsing Randy Hultgren.

Danklefsen just sent out an email with information on his bid:

After Mark’s announcement this morning to drop from the 14th Congressional race it is best to end my candidacy and remove my name from the ballot and ask Mark to remove his as well to provide voters a clear choice between two candidates. Sen. Randy Hultgren has the resources to run an effective campaign and I do not wish to be a spoiler.

Hultgren gives Republican Party voters a solid choice over the return to the problems that brought us Barack Obama and Bill Foster. He has the voting record and integrity our district desperately needs.

Jeff Danklefsen

This leaves two candidates:
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14th District: Jeff Danklefsen Drops Bid, Now Down to Two”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Republicans - Senate - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

11th U.S. Congressional and U.S. Senate Candidate Forum “Tea Party Style”

December 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

One of our local Tea Party groups is sponsoring a candidate’s forum On Dec. 9th. I find it a bit telling that these folks invited the local Democrats to participate in the forum and they all declined, yet all the republicans accepted the invitation. So, uh, what are the Dems afraid of?

Here is the press release for the event:

Sponsored by Joliet Tea Party & Homer/Lockport Tea Party
Wednesday – Dec 9th 6:00 – 9:00 pm
The Holiday Inn (Louis Joliet Ballroom) 411 S. Larkin, Joliet IL.

The Joliet Tea Party & Homer/Lockport Tea Party are joining forces once again and holding a “Tea Party” Forum for the 11th US Congressional and US Senate Candidates. Tea Partiers have asked the candidates to “hear their voices” and they have responded. Congressional and Senate Candidates are coming to our area for a Town Hall /Forum to answer some important questions and meet the people. The event is free, with live music, tea party slide show, Candidate Forum, Meet & Greet the Candidates, Streaming Video Live on the Internet, Cash Bar, and Fellow Patriots.
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11th U.S. Congressional and U.S. Senate Candidate Forum “Tea Party Style””

Budget - Chicago - Cook County - Economy/Finances - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

14th District: Jeff Danklefsen Endorsed by NTUI

December 7, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Denklefsen campaign is reporting that Tax Accountability, the political action arm of National Taxpayers United of Illinois, is endorsing Jeff Danklefsen in his effort to take the GOP nomination for the 14th District Congressional seat.

In making the endorsement, president Jim Tobin cited Jeff’s “exceptional desire to fight taxes and support economic growth.”

Founded in 1976, NTUI is the largest taxpayer protection organization in Illinois with more than 30,000 members and supporters. For more information, see www.ntui.org.

For more information of Jeff Danklefsen, see his campaign website.

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Purcell Says no to 14th District Run

December 5, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Looks like Jim Purcell, a solid conservative, has decided not to run for the 14th District seat after all. That still leaves four Republicans in the race.

Still in:

Here is the Purcell press release:
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Purcell Says no to 14th District Run”

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Capitalism - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Constitution - Economy/Finances - Frank Salvato - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - President - Society/Culture - Taxes

Is the Constitution Just a Grand Suggestion?

December 4, 2009 by

-By Frank Salvato

Listening to the John & Cisco morning radio program here on Chicago’s WIND AM 560 this morning, I was suddenly stopped dead in my tracks. One of the hosts, John Howell, asked Chicago Tribune editorialists Clarence Page about a contentious issue; whether candidates for the office of President of the United States of America should have to present proof of citizenship before being allowed to vie for the office. Mr. Page’s answer was not only a slight to the Constitution; it placed him firmly in the camp of the constitutionally illiterate.

When asked if vetting candidates for national office, specifically the presidency, wasn’t something that all Americans could agree upon, Mr. Page replied:

“You can never please some people, as you can see. I know Liberals who believe John McCain should be challenged because he wasn’t born in the US, because he was born in the Panama Canal Zone and…ah…they will point to different constitutional loopholes…ah…that they say would disqualify him. I remember George Romney, Mitt’s Dad…ah…went through the same thing…ah…back in the 60s. As far as I’m concerned, why can’t Madeleine Albright be a good president even though she wasn’t born a citizen? Or the governor of Michigan right now? This is the kind of thing…folks are kind of groping for any reason to disqualify a president or presidential candidate that they don’t like and…ah…I just find it to be a specious debate…I think we’ve got more important issues to worry about…maybe that’s just me (laughter).”

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Is the Constitution Just a Grand Suggestion?”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

5th District Race: David Ratowitz Signs AFP’s “No Climate Tax” Pledge

December 3, 2009 by

Several Illinois candidates have been signing no-tax pledges of late and 5th District candidate David Ratowitz is the latest. This from the campaign…

“Cap and Trade is a disaster that will sacrifice jobs and increase energy costs.”

CHICAGO – December 3, 2009 – U.S. House candidate David Ratowitz (IL-5) this week signed Americans for Prosperity’s “No Climate Tax Pledge, vowing to “oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.” He is one of only nine Illinois state or federal candidates to sign the pledge to date.
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5th District Race: David Ratowitz Signs AFP’s “No Climate Tax” Pledge”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Americans for Prosperity: U.S. House Candidate Joe Walsh Signs No Climate Tax Pledge

December 2, 2009 by

8th District Congressional candidate Joe Walsh has signed the AFP no tax pledge…

CHICAGO-The Illinois chapter of the free-market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP-IL) today applauded U.S. House candidate Joe Walsh (8th District) for signing the group’s “No Climate Tax Pledge.” By doing so, Walsh joins over 285 lawmakers and candidates on the federal, state and local levels pledging to “oppose legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.”

“The one thing elected officials should all be able to agree on is that global warming shouldn’t be used as an excuse to hike taxes on citizens and businesses,” said AFP-IL State Director Joe Calomino. “We encourage all of Illinois’ elected officials and candidates for elected office to sign.”
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Americans for Prosperity: U.S. House Candidate Joe Walsh Signs No Climate Tax Pledge”

Afghanistan - Barack Obama - Chicago - Congress - Cook County - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Military - Republicans - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - State Government - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston

2nd District Isaac Hayes: Obama’s 30,000 Boost a Step in the Right Direction

December 2, 2009 by

From the Isaac Hayes campaign:
 

CHICAGO – December 1, 2009: The following statement was released today by Rev. Isaac C. Hayes, the GOP nominee for Congress in IL-2, and opponent of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) regarding President Obama’s announcement to send 30,000 more soldiers to Afghanistan:
 

“President Obama’s decision to send 30,000 additional troops into the theatre of Afghanistan is a good step in the right direction” said Hayes. “His decision to not cut-and-run despite opposition to the buildup by members of his own party is commendable. However, I am disappointed that he has chosen not to deploy the minimum number of troops requested by General McCrystal of 40,000. As Congress debates funding for the troop buildup, it is important that the Republican Party work to ensure our soldiers have the best chance of success by heeding the firsthand assessment of Gen. McCrystal.”


For more information, go to:http://www.isaac4honesty.com.

Afghanistan - Barack Obama - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Islam - Islamofascism - Liberals - Military - President - Republicans - Security/Safety - State Government - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston

8th District: Joe Walsh Pans Obama’s Afghanistan Policy Speech

December 2, 2009 by

From the Joe Walsh campaign:

8th District GOP Congressional Candidate Supports More Troops

Lake Zurich, IL – Joe Walsh, Republican candidate for the GOP nomination for the 8th District Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Melissa Bean has issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s speech on Afghanistan policy tonight:

According to Mr. Walsh:
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8th District: Joe Walsh Pans Obama’s Afghanistan Policy Speech”

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Communism - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - House of Representatives - Liberals - Nancy Salvato - President - Senate - State Government - Taxes

The Turkey That Is Obamanomics

December 2, 2009 by

-By Nancy Salvato

Thanksgiving day progressed in somewhat the usual manner, sleeping in; savoring our coffee; reading the news; putzing around on the computer; and at least one of us (me) working out in anticipation of moderating the inevitable consequences of splurging on an inordinate amount of really good food. Soon, though, we found the afternoon getting away from us and realized we needed to pick up the pace. Our newly allotted time-frame no longer permitted enough time for us to take our dogs, Reilly and Coulter, for a long walk. With the promise that we’d take them to the forest preserve with us the following day, we grabbed the dishes we’d prepared earlier, leaving the pups to their own devices, soon to arrive at our destination.

After exchanging hugs and kisses, we got down to the business of setting out the food and carving the turkey. Sitting around the dinner table, we gave thanks for our family, friends, the meal before us and voiced our hope that the soldiers spending this Thanksgiving away from their loved ones would be kept safe in the months to come. Then, in what seemed like an inordinately short amount of time – in contrast to the time it took to plan and prepare the meal – we toasted to each other and plowed through the turkey, stuffing and other fixings, eventually chasing it all down with dessert. Now we were ready to play games.
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The Turkey That Is Obamanomics”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Free Trade - Freedom - House of Representatives - Jobs - Liberals - Senate - Socialism - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Unions a Danger to Good Government

December 1, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

What happens when a private sector union gets far too many benefits to the point where the business for which its membership works goes under or whose existence is threatened? Punishment. Unions either take a reduction of benefits or pay — or both — and cuts in time or jobs in order to right the ship and keep the business afloat occur. Just like punishment comes to businesses that make bad business decisions, private employee unions also realize punishment for overreach. At the risk of losing the whole enterprise both for unions and owners, the market serves to correct excess.

Unfortunately, there is no such corrective for union overreach for government employees. These unions rarely face any punishment for excess. And therein lies the reason that unions are antithetical to good government.

Of course, we’ve discussed this theme many times here at the blog over the past few years. But to buttress the discussion I’d like to relate some statistics. The Heritage Foundation’s James Sherk recently took a look at the most current reports from labor and found that 12.4% of the American work force is made up of union members. But he notes that, while union membership has fallen to 7.3% of private sector jobs, it has risen to a never before seen 37.6% unionization of government employees — and this number is growing. Government workers now make up 51% of all unionized workers in the USA.
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Unions a Danger to Good Government”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

10th District: Bob Dold Supports Bank Bailouts

November 28, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Of the Republicans running for the 10th District seat, Bob Dold is one of four, the others being Beth Coulson (the party favorite), Bill Cadigan (endorsed by former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger), and Dick Green.

Dold recently participated in a short phone conversation with Jeff Berkowitz of the Public Affairs Show the upshot of which seems to show that Dold supports the Bush/Obama bank bailouts.

Dold told Berkowitz that he thinks government needs the “ability to make sure that we’re stabilizing the banks.” Now, a conservative would far more likely say that no bank or business is “too big to fail” and that the only way to truly stabilize the banking system is to let banks that make bad choices suffer the consequences of their choices, not buoy them up and give them free money from the taxpayers so that they are insulated from those bad choices.
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10th District: Bob Dold Supports Bank Bailouts”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Campaign Finance - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Freedom - House of Representatives - Liberals - Society/Culture - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Unions, Energy Industry Tops in Political Contributions

November 25, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

According to FollowTheMoney.org unions were some of the most generous with donations to political candidates and causes during the 2007-2008 donation cycle, the last cycle full reporting is known for. A close second place goes to the energy industry with Indian interests coming in third.

Out of the top 50 highest amounts given to political efforts unions donated $223,533,678 to political causes showing that, while unions make up less than 20 percent of the American work force, they account for some of the largest in political donations.

Unfortunately, many of those top donors are public employees unions meaning that our tax dollars are caught in a revolving door with tax money going to public employees who then turn around and donate some of that tax money right back to politicians and their campaign funds in order for those politicians to themselves turn right back around and pass laws that give public employees unions more money!
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Unions, Energy Industry Tops in Political Contributions”

Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Communism - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Free Trade - Freedom - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - President - Socialism - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Stimulus Stimulated Much of Nothing in Illinois

November 25, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Tribune has an interesting story that shows that Obama’s $787 billion stimulus really didn’t do much by way of creating any new jobs in Illinois. Though Obama is counting “jobs saved” as some sort of success story, the fact is few jobs have been created and nothing will be sustainable after the stimulus money runs out.

Jobs “saved” apparently means that stimulus money went to keep a job that might otherwise have been lost. But the problem with calling it a job saved is that once the stimulus runs out that same job will still be on the chopping block.

Then there is the other thing to realize: none of these “jobs” are real, useful, and economically real jobs. They are but government handouts given to people with government jobs. The fact is not a single one of these faux jobs “created” by the Obama stimulus is in the private sector. They are all in government and government does not create wealth, it does not grow an economy. All government does is take tax money from one pocket and shift it to another pocket. None of these “jobs” are worthy of being called new jobs.
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Stimulus Stimulated Much of Nothing in Illinois”