Illinois Republican Representative Joe Walsh takes it hard to President Obama. Mr. Walsh says that Obama is lying and he wonders if the president even has any clue about how the country works.
Walsh asks, “Have you no shame sir?” …
It’s about time someone in Washington talks straight about this budget mess.
Joe Walsh represents the current 8th District.
From the Chicago Tea Party…
TEACON 2011: Midwest Tea Party Convention in the Chicago Area
Is the Tea Party Movement united and ready to influence the 2012 election? The Chicago Tea Party is very proud to be hosting an event to help educate, engage and energize tea party members from across the Midwest to prepare for 2012. We are hosting a two-day Midwest Tea Party Convention, TEACON 2011, September 30 – October 1, 2011 in Schaumburg, IL. This will be the largest tea party event in the country this fall. TEACON will feature great speakers, valuable training and interactive breakout sessions for tea party activists, conservatives, libertarians and Americans who want to make a difference in 2012.
You can learn more about the event and purchase your tickets for TEACON 2011 at www.teaconmidwest.com. The fun begins Friday night.
Andrew Breitbart, author of Righteous Indignation and publisher of BigGovernment, BigJournalism, BigPeace, BigHollywood and Breitbart.com, will take a break from saving the world to be part of our kickoff reception on Friday night. You’ll have a chance to meet Andrew during the reception in addition to hearing him speak. Conservative comedian and Fox News Contributor Steven Crowder will provide the entertainment for the evening.
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Midwest Tea Party Convention: Beck, Breitbart and You”
-By Warner Todd Huston
I am happy to say that Rep. Joe Walsh (R, IL) has been doing a great job of taking it to the president and the Democrats since he went to Washington. Here is yet another media visit by Rep. Walsh…
You can help support Joe at: http://walsh.house.gov/
From the Institute for Truth in Accounting…
Only four U.S. states have sufficient assets to pay their debt and obligations related to pension and retirees’ healthcare
Today, the Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA) announces completion of a significant, comprehensive study of all 50 states’ assets and liabilities, including pension and retirement healthcare obligations. The study determined that six states had a per taxpayer burden over $20,000: Connecticut ($41,200), Illinois ($26,800), Hawaii ($25,000), Kentucky ($23,800), Massachusetts ($20,100) and New Jersey ($34,600). The Taxpayer Burden represents the funds that will be needed to pay the commitments the state has already accumulated divided by the state’s taxpayers.
“If governors and legislatures had truly balanced each state’s budget, no taxpayer’s financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, Founder and CEO of the Institute. She continued, “A state budget is not balanced if past costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.”
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Truth in Accounting’s Fifty State Study Uncovers the True Financial Condition of the States”
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, IL)…
We’re at a crossroads in America. The Obama economy continues to underperform: 9.1% national unemployment, 14 trillion in debt, and a potential double-dip recession on the horizon. Even with all of America’s assets, endless potential, and the unrelenting American spirit, this Administration has led our country astray with one failed policy after another.
Americans are tired of the Obama Administration’s continual underperformance and seemingly never-met expectations: an $800-billion failed “stimulus” and the promise that summer 2010 would be “recovery summer.” Yet, even in the face of proven failure and a weak economy, the Democrats that run Washington continue to cheerlead for their failed policies.
Just weeks ago, Democrat National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz actually told NBC’s Meet the Press that Democrats have “turned this economy around.”
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Roskam: The Dems Are Out of Touch”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Once again St. Sabina, the “Catholic” Church on Chicago’s South Side, makes the news for race-baiting and down talking our U.S. Constitution. This time it is Chicago’s new Police Superintendent, Garry McCarthy, who appeared at the church and indulged his inner Father Pfleger with a rant on how the US is filled with racists and how the U.S. Constitution was written to kill minorities.
After the race-baiting “Father” Michael Pfleger left the stage, Chicago’s new top cop took his turn at stirring the race hatred instilled deep in the parishioners by years of Pfleger’s demagoguery. Superintendent McCarthy didn’t disappoint the crowd eager for more race-baiting, for sure.
“So here’s what I want to tell you…,” McCathy said warming to his theme. “Slavery. Segregation. Black codes. Jim Crow. What, what did they all have in common? Anybody getting’ scared? Government sponsored racism.”
Then he really got into the weeds…
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Chicago’s New Top Cop: A Race Baiter That Stands Against the U.S. Constitution”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Representative Adam Kinzinger made what is in my opinion a principled vote on the pair of resolutions concerning the authorization and funding of Obama’s mission in Libya today. His principles however ran counter to the Republican’s conventional wisdom on this and he was one of only eight Republicans to do so in one case.
The first resolution that came to a vote was H.J.Res.68 – Authorizing the limited use of the United States Armed Forces in support of the NATO mission in Libya. It was introduced by extremist, left-wing Democrat Alcee Hastings (D, Florida). The resolution was meant to give cover to President Obama’s military involvement and hoped to give Obama up to a year of extra time to stay in Libya without further authorization.
Kinzinger voted with the Democrats on this, but I feel he did so in keeping with his support of the mission as opposed to his desire to aid Democrats. He supports this mission and that is that. Whether you agree with the effort or not, I think Kinzinger stayed true to his ideals and did not use this vote to play politics with the issue. (Kinzinger voted “yea” along with eight other Republicans: Dent; Dreier; S.King; P.King; McCotter; Rivera; Rogers of Michigan)
**BELOW, see video of Kinzinger’s floor speeches and a transcript of his comments**
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Rep. Kinzinger Defies GOP Opposition to Democrats War Resolution”
From the Office of Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R, IL)…
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, spoke out on the floor of the House in support of H.R. 2021, the Jobs and Energy Permitting Act of 2011. This bipartisan legislation would ease the permitting process in order to increase domestic energy production opportunities, reduce our addiction on foreign oil and create American jobs.
“The American people are beginning to understand that this Administration and its agencies are having real consequences and real impacts on the unemployment rate, on the joblessness and on the price we are paying on a barrel of oil and a gallon of gasoline,” said Kinzinger. “Every dollar that a gallon of gasoline increases, it is a regressive tax on Americans. Meanwhile, we sit around and argue while bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. have their way.”
Development in two of Alaska’s Arctic seas (the Beaufort and Chukchi), which contain up to 27.9 billion barrels of oil and 122 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, could deliver up to 1 million barrels of oil per day of domestic energy.
Congressman Kinzinger represents the Eleventh Congressional District which is home to three nuclear power plants, hydropower plants, ethanol and biodiesel plants, and an oil refinery. The district embodies the all-of-the-above approach to energy that Kinzinger stands for. Nuclear energy production alone employs more than 2,500 people through the Illinois Valley.
-By Warner Todd Huston
Congressman Peter Roskam, House GOP Deputy Majority Whip, got on record the fact that as things stand right now Medicare is dead by 2024. No ifs, ands, or buts, unless a major overhaul of the system is undertaken, Medicare is done in a little more than a decade.
Before congress two officials testified that based on our current path in 2024 there would be “actual” cuts to Medicare at 17%. They also confirmed that Medicare would end itself by 2024 unless actions are taken to save the program.
Democrats have tried to claim that it is Republican cost cutting that dooms Medicare, but this is simply untrue. Bt the very rules under which it now works, it seems that Medicare is already headed for doomsday.
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Dems Plan Proves Medicare Dead by 2024″
-By Warner Todd Huston
As the Daley years wound down, Chicago’s public schools teachers were handed an automatic 4 percent raise across the board that was supposed to take effect next year. However, that largess from the taxpayers has just been rescinded by a unanimous vote of the Chicago Public Schools board.
Citing the $712 million budget deficit, the CPS announced that the automatic, meritless raise was simply unjustifiable.
In a statement, schools chief Jean-Claude Brizard said, “I have the utmost respect and admiration for teachers and all that they do for our children. But today’s board action was taken in response to the massive financial crisis facing our system. My team is now tasked with developing a balanced budget and presenting it to the Board and the public in August and our promise remains to minimize any impacts on the classroom and our kids.”
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Chicago Teachers Losing Their Raises”
From the office of Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R, ILL)…
From the Bloomington Pantagraph
Kinzinger strikes blow for curbing defense
Adam Kinzinger was able to combine his insight as a military pilot with his relatively new role as a congressman to gain House approval of a proposal that would save taxpayers about $100 million over the next seven years.
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Bloomington Pantagraph Editorial: Kinzinger Strikes Blow for Curbing Defense”
Chicagoans flocked to North Avenue Beach last Monday for Memorial Day, only to have their holiday fun spoiled when Chicago police closed the beach. For the first time in Chicago’s history, North Avenue Beach, where residents go to cool off, was closed due to excessive heat according to Police Superintendent Tom McCarthy. McCarthy was backed up by newly elected Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who claimed there was a surge in calls due to heat exhaustion, and the reason for the closing was to give ambulances and paramedics easier access to treat those in need.
Fox Chicago News lightly covered reasons for the beach closing other than heat, which were missing from other local news outlets, CBS and ABC. Fox reported an unusually high presence of Chicago street gangs…
Read the rest at RebelPundit.com.
from the office of Congressman Peter Roskam (R, IL)…
House Republicans sent a clear to message to the White House last week: Washington must stop spending money it doesn’t have.
House Republicans were unified against increasing the country’s borrowing limit without meaningful spending cuts and reforms, and 82 Democrats joined Republicans in voting against it. This White House has added $3.5 trillion in debt over just two years, so Americans simply don’t support giving them a blank check to keep on spending.
The continued borrow-and-spend madness hasn’t helped create jobs either. Just this past Friday, the national unemployment rate rose to 9.1%, a full 27 months after the “stimulus” passed.
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Roskam on Job Creation”
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, ILL)…
Roskam: “The White House has to realize… simply hope for a change is not an economic policy.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip, spoke at the House Republican Leadership press conference following the release of the May Jobs Report, which showed the unemployment rate rose to 9.1% after only 54,000 jobs were created last month:
Roskam Remarks:
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Roskam to White House: ‘Simply Hope For a Change is Not an Economic Policy’”
From the office of Cook County Commissioner Timothy O. Schneider…
Fishing Fun
Cook County Commissioner Timothy O. Schneider’s Fishing Derby
Sunday June 12, 2011 from 9am – Noon at Busse Woods Grove 25
Celebrate a summer day fishing at Busse Woods, a Cook County forest preserve, with some of your friends and family. Bring your fishing gear and fish for fantastic prizes! No fishing license needed during Illinois Free Fishing days!
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Cook County Commissioner Summer Fun Update”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Apparently, when anyone dares question an Illinois Democrat he gets violent… even if he’s a state senator and he’s right on the floor of the senate itself.
51st District Senator Kyle McCarter (R- Lebanon) objected during the debate today about the ComEd utility legislation the Democrats were pushing. His fellow Senator, the 36th District’s Senator Mike Jacobs (D, Moline), was pushing a vote on the bill without telling everyone present that his father, former senator Denny Jacobs, was a lobbyist for ComEd, the company that would benefit most from the bill.
Sen. McCarter rose to his feet and calmly alerted the house to the fact that not only was Senator Jacobs’ father a lobbyist for ComEd but that the Democrat Party was the largest recipient of ComEd’s campaign cash.
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Ill. Democrat Assaults Fellow Senator On Floor of Senate!”
-By Warner Todd Huston
With the latest three votes, the Illinois GOP has shown itself to be little else but Democrat lite and has shown that even planks in its own platform are meaningless when it comes to voting time.
The last Illinois Republican Party platform was produced and approved in 2008 (See .pdf here) and there hasn’t been another one since.
Lets start our scolding with the recent vote to wildly expand gambling in Illinois, a bill that 21 Republicans voted for, shall we?
SB744 passed this weekend with a 65-60 vote in the Illinois House. 21 Republicans voted “yea” on this despite what their own party platform say. That platform says…
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Illinois GOP Betray Own Platform”
-By Doug Ibendahl
Are you upset about Illinois redistricting? Yeah me too.
But frankly I’m a lot less upset with the Democrats for doing the same thing Republicans would have done had we been in charge. We would have drawn maps favorable to our side too. We’ve done it before. Republicans shouldn’t kid themselves.
I’m a lot more disgusted with the awful GOP management that got us here. The new maps are the natural end result of all the rigged party conventions, endless lying to the rank-and-file, selfish misuse of the party franchise, and general unprofessionalism.
So much destruction has been done over the years by the likes of Tom Cross, Skip Saviano, Pat Brady, Randy Pollard, Andy McKenna, Judy Baar Topinka, Bob Kjellander, etc., etc., trying to prevent Republicans from voting – there was finally no party around to win the races necessary to give the GOP a seat at the map drawing table this year.
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Tom Cross Runs out of Lies on SB35″
-By Warner Todd Huston
Over the weekend Thomas Roeser passed from us. For decades, Roeser was one of Chicago’s most visible and versatile conservatives. Roeser was 82.
Roeser had a long career in politics once serving in the Nixon administration as an assistant commerce secretary. He left that position over a disagreement over his advocacy of the program meant to help minority owned small businesses.
From this point he came back to Chicago as the quintessential Republican reformer that he remained to his last days.
Roeser was a key member of the City Club of Chicago and was a long time talk radio host of WLS AM as well as a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Additionally, Roeser was the publisher of the Chicago Daily Observer.
Tom Roeser was also a stalwart defender of the Catholic faith.
The Chicago Daily Observer has a round up of memorial articles.
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RIP Chicago Conservative Icon, Tom Roeser”
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, ILL)…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Roskam-Lipinski Amendment, recognizing the value of a Korean War National Museum in Chicago, Illinois. The amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act was co-sponsored by Rep. Peter Roskam (IL-06), Chief Deputy Whip, and Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL-03).
“A Korean War National Museum in Chicago will be a testament to those brave Americans who fought to preserve freedom and halt the advance of Communism,” said Congressman Roskam. “Almost six million Americans – including my father – fought in this war that has unfortunately taken on the moniker of ‘the forgotten war.’ A National Museum dedicated to the Korean War in the Midwest will ensure future generations remember the sacrifice and valor of all the Americans who fought and died honorably in Korea sixty years ago. I will continue to work to bring this museum to Chicago.”
The Korean War National Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a museum in Chicago that honors the millions of Americans who fought against Communism in Korea. In November 2010, Roskam traveled to Korea to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the end of the Korean War. He was joined by his mother, Martha, and father Swede, a Korean War veteran. They attended President Obama’s speech to troops at Yongsan Garrison and ceremonies at the Demilitarized Zone while in Korea.
The National Defense Authorization Act passed the House today, 322-96.
Today the Institute for Truth in Accounting and the Comeback America Initiative released Bridgeport, Connecticut’s “Financial State of the City.” After an intensive review of the city’s 2010 audited financial report and actuarial reports, the Institute determined that, like many cities, Bridgeport is in a precarious financial position, because it is $1.4 billion short of the funds necessary to pay the city’s commitments as they come due. Each household’s* share of this financial burden equals $27,100.
The Charter of the City of Bridgeport mandates a balanced budget. “If Bridgeport’s past Mayor and City Council had truly balanced the city’s budget, no financial burden would exist,” said Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of the Institute for Truth in Accounting (IFTA). She continued, “A city budget is not balanced if current costs, including those for employees’ retirement benefits, are pushed into the future.”
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True Bridgeport, Conn. Financial Burden is $1.4 Billion”
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, ILL)…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement after House Republicans unveiled a plan for America’s job creators that was built on the Pledge to America governing document.
“It’s no secret that the trillions in stimulus spending and a massive increase in government red tape has destroyed jobs and hurt our economic recovery. More of the same is a recipe for the same results. That’s why House Republicans have designed a plan that will remove barriers to job creation, empowering and helping families, small businesses, and entrepreneurs struggling to create jobs and spur our recovery. The threat of unsustainable government debt, increased regulations written by unelected bureaucrats, and energy policies designed to increase gas prices has cost us jobs and forced families and businesses to pull back from participating in the economy. The House Republican plan will help change that by returning confidence and certainty to job creators across the country.”
This new video from the House Energy Action Team, a group of House Republicans dedicated to pushing the Administration to adopt commonsense energy policies, does a fine job to elucidate some of the problems we face in our energy sector.
More on the House Energy Action Team (HEAT): The Goal is to present a clear message of viable energy policy alternatives that are clearly communicated to the American public. H.E.A.T. will clearly demonstrate that House Republicans are on the side of the consuming public and business community who are increasingly harmed by the high energy prices.
In short: H.E.A.T. will convey that robust domestic energy production creates thousands of good jobs and enhances our national security.
Republican Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R, Calif.) and Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam (R, Ill) are co-chairs of H.E.A.T.
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, ILL)…
Roskam: “As our strongest ally and only democratic friend in a deeply troubled region, America must stand with our friend Israel and reject any moves that diminish our special relationship.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement after Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to a Joint Meeting of Congress today:
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Roskam Applauds Netanyahu Speech”
-By Warner Todd Huston
In just one more example of the thousands of examples of political graft in Illinois, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that being a board member of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board is one giant no-show, do-nothing pay off to friends, family, and allies of Illinois’ Democrats. Members make up to $100,000 a year to do practically nothing on this useless board and we, the people, are paying through the nose for it all.
Members of this board have a grueling yearly schedule, indeed. They meet once a month. Well, “meet” is relative as rules allow them to just phone it in… literally… as members constantly “attend” the meetings by listening in over the phone. So, yes, they are paid up to $100,000 a year to make a phone call once a month.
Even so, maybe you’d think that their actual duties are time consuming aside from that big once a month meeting? Not according to the Post-Dispatch. You see, the board also has full time, paid staffers that assemble all the reports and then make the recommendations for the board members to vote on. When the members “meet” they usually just rubber stamp the work of the paid staffers.
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Political Corruption: An Illinois Specialty”
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, 6th District)…
As I watched the President’s Middle East speech last week, I was pleased to see him affirm America’s support for human rights in the Arab world in light of the Arab Spring.
However, his comments on prerequisites that Israel must offer for peace were downright troubling – and sided squarely against Israel on future peace negotiations. America has always enjoyed a special relationship with Israel, and we simply can’t afford to let this Administration change that.
As the President prepared his speech, Majority Leader Eric Cantor and I penned an op-ed in Politico calling for the halting of U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority, now that Hamas is an official partner of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas is a terrorist organization responsible for the death of both Americans and Israelis, and committed to Israel’s destruction.
We need to stand with Israel and stand up to terror.
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We Need to Stand with Israel”
From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, 6th District)…
Recognized for Supporting Economic Growth and Job Creation
BLOOMINGDALE, IL — Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06), Chief Deputy Whip, was awarded the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Enterprise Award last week. Roskam received the award for his votes last Congress to create jobs and ensure a more positive environment for economic growth, on Wednesday, May 18th, at Zeigler Motors in Downers Grove.
“The Chamber is honored to recognize Congressman Roskam for helping create an environment in which businesses can grow and create jobs,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “He has shown great conviction by standing on the side of business, at a time when it matters most. Today we honor him.”
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Roskam Receives U.S. Chamber’s Spirit of Enterprise Award”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Father Michael Pfleger, one of the most hateful and divisive priests on the American Catholic scene, has been temporarily given back his position as pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church on Chicago’s South Side by Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George.
In a new statement posted on the website of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Father Pfleger apologizes for threats to leave the Church that he made in a radio interview last month saying he feared that his comments were hurting the Church — something he claimed he didn’t intend.
With public apology in hand, Cardinal George has reinstated this hatemonger to his former role as pastor of St. Sabina Church in order to allow him to help find a new pastor and help with that transition. Apparently he has until December to make the arrangements.
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Racebaiter Chicago Priest Reinstated By Spineless Cardinal”
From the Palatine Tea Party…
(Palatine, Illinois) – The Village of Schaumburg clearly indicates in their employee handbook, which we obtained via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, how employee sick time balances can be paid out.
Click here, to view the Village of Schaumburg Employee handbook. Review section 8-4 of the Employee handbook (Sick Time Reimbursement Plan).
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Introducing Schaumburg’s Sick Time Reimbursement Plan”