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Conservatives - Cook County - Elections - GOP - Illinois - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Rauschenberger Back in the Hunt?

September 29, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Steve Rasuchenberg of the Elgin area might be considering another run for the Illinois State Senate according to RFFM.org.

RFFM.org has learned former state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger is considering another run for the state Senate for the seat currently held by Michael Noland (D-Elgin). When Rauschenberger launched an unsuccessful bid for Lt. Governor and vacated the seat, Noland won the general election in 2006 in a close election when he defeated Streamwood Mayor Billie Roth.

Rauschenberger would most likely receive the nod from Republican voters in the 22nd state Senate District GOP primary if he decides to throw his hat in the ring.

Many believe if Rauschenberger wins the GOP primary, his high name recognition and past record as a fiscal and social conservative would help him win in the 2010 general election, when many experts predict incumbent Democrats may succumb to a Republican landslide.

Rauschenberger is currently President of the United Republican Fund. An official announcement regarding his intentions are expected soon.

Rauschenberger was one of the famed “Fab Five” consisting of five of the most conservative Senators in the state legislature.The “Fab Five” referred to Dave Syverson, Rauschenberger, Patrick O’Malley, Chris Lauzen, and Peter Fitzgerald all elected to the State Senate in 1992.

Rauschenberger made his mark in matters financial in the state budget. He served on the Appropriations Committee and the Environment and Energy Committee.

(Cross posted at RedCounty.com)
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Rauschenberger Back in the Hunt?”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Elections - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Joe Walsh Launches Exploratory Committee for IL CD-8

September 29, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Looks like Joe Walsh of Lake Zurich is looking to get into the race against Melissa Bean in the Il. 8th Congressional District. I just received this from his campaign:

BARRINGTON, IL – Long-time free market activist Joe Walsh has launched an exploratory committee to determine whether he should become a candidate for the Republican nomination for the 8th District Congressional seat currently held by Democrat Melissa Bean.

According to Walsh, “Voters are incredibly angry and frustrated by Melissa Bean’s performance over the past couple of years. She voted for the failed stimulus package and Cap and Trade legislation and has voiced support for the Public Option in healthcare. Now, when her constituents want their voices heard the most, she ignores their wishes by refusing to hold open town hall meetings in the district.

“The stakes are too high in this election. We need to a put a check on the one-party rule in Washington that is bankrupting our country. It is absolutely essential that we return more Republicans to Congress as a counter-balance to this out-of-control majority. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that any of the announced GOP candidates in the 8th district race has what it takes to defeat Melissa Bean. If voters continue to tell me that it will take a different kind of candidate to win this race, I’ll run.”

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Joe Walsh Launches Exploratory Committee for IL CD-8″

Budget - Chicago - Conservatives - Cook County - Economy/Finances - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Steve Rauschenberger Hosts 2 Town Halls

September 25, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Steve Rauschenberger*, former GOP State Senator from the Elgin area and current leader of the United Republican Fund, has announced that he’ll be hosting two town hall styled meetings on the predicament in which Illinois finds itself.

Information can be found at steverauschenberger.com/, but ther you’ll find Mr. Rauschenberger’s address on the subject:

Illinois is heading down a bad road. Despite record-breaking budget deficits and political sleaze that has resulted in two arrested Governors, the politicians in Springfield seem set on maintaining business as usual.

It’s time for ordinary people to stand up. It’s time for us to say enough is enough. Before politicians in Springfield even think about raising taxes, they must pass thorough and meaningful spending and ethics reforms.

Join Steve Rauschenberger, former State Senator and past president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, for a Townhall meeting about the challenges facing Illinois and what ordinary people can do to make state government work for them again.

There are two town halls planned.
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Steve Rauschenberger Hosts 2 Town Halls”

Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Website: Chicagoans For the Olympics… to Stay Outta Chicago

September 24, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

NBC5 TV found a rather amusing new website devoted to Chicago’s bid for the Olympics. Oh, the new site backs a bid to get the Olympics, alright. It backs Rio de Janeiro’s bid instead of Chicago’s. And I, for one, am 100% on this website’s side!

The main page of ChicagoansForRio.com reads “Chicagoans for Rio 2016” and goes on to cheer for Rio to get the games.

It would be exciting to host the Olympics here in Chicago. But you know what would be even better? Rio de Janeiro. Just let Rio host the 2016 Olympics. We don’t mind. Honest.

The site features all sorts of stats to prove that Chicago has too much crime and also has a video of residents telling watchers that they do not want the Olympics here. One fellow explains why he doesn’t want the games: “A lot of crowds, a lot of traffic, they’re going to build the facilities in parks so the people won’t be able to use the parks, and the city won’t be any better off than it was before.”
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Website: Chicagoans For the Olympics… to Stay Outta Chicago”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Illinois - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

GOP Head Steele Withdrawing Kirk Support?

September 24, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Tom Roeser recently wrote that National GOP Party Chairman Michael Steele is stepping back from his Kirk-only support now that Patrick Hughes’ campaign for U.S. Senate has started to make inroads into Kirk’s Illinois support base.

This is interesting news, if it turns out to be true. One of the things that has riled me, for one, is that the national party has swooped in to pick our candidate for us here in Illinois. I am all for the national party supporting our Illinois candidate for Senate but it would be a tad better if the party waited until we the actual voters of Illinois had the opportunity to chose our own candidate first.
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GOP Head Steele Withdrawing Kirk Support?”

Cook County - Elections - Illinois - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Dave Winters Drops Out of Lt. Governor Race

September 21, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Rockford TV reports the abrupt drop out of Republican Dave Winters in the race for Lt. Gov. This is the second drop out of the state wide race as Matt Murphy dropped his bid for Gov and will likely take up the race for Lt. Gov. instead as Andy McKenna’s running mate.

Dave Winters Drops Out of Lt. Governor Race

-By Whitney Martin

It’s a career move that has some local opponents not so happy tonight. Representative Dave winters withdrew his name from the race for lieutenant governor.

After spending three months campaigning for Lt.Governor of Illinois.. State Representative, Dave winters is dropping out of the race and instead will run for re –election

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Dave Winters Drops Out of Lt. Governor Race”

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

8th District Debate Dawson vs. Rodrigues

September 19, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

**UPDATE**– Event to be rescheduled!! No New Date Announced**

Two of the three announced candidates running for the GOP nomination for the 8th District Congressional seat now held by Democrat Melissa Bean will face off in a debate on Friday, October 2.

Starting at 6PM John Dawson and Maria Rodrigues will debate the issues at the Elk Grove Village VFW Hall at 400 E. Devon Ave.

Prior to the debate, GOP gubernatorial candidate Adam Andrezjewski is scheduled to address the crowd.

Three GOP candidates have announced for this seat.

School Board member John Dawson’s campaign website

Greg Jacobs’ FaceBook Page

Long Grove Mayor Maria Rodriguez’ Website.

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8th District Debate Dawson vs. Rodrigues”

Barack Obama - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Europe - Freedom - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Military - President - Republicans - Security/Safety - Terrorism - Warner Todd Huston

Kirk Lambastes Obama Over Missile Shield Policy Change

September 18, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Mark Kirk may not be on the right side of economics, abortion, the homosexual lobby, and a host of other issues, but he is 100% right on his position that President Obama is wrong with his decision to reverse course on the European missile shield.

On Thursday morning, after Obama’s announcement of the missile shield policy change Kirk came out swinging against the president saying that “History is not kind to leaders who sacrifice our Polish allies.” Kirk went on:

Illinois Republican Representative Mark Kirk called the president’s decision a blow to Poland and an encouragement to Iran.

“Iran, a state sponsor of terrorists, now makes the longest-range missile of the terrorist world,” said Mark Kirk. “The administration’s decision is particularly ironic because Poland just announced it would be sending more troops to serve alongside Americans in Afghanistan. America is going to let Poland down, sending a message of weakness to our Polish allies and the people building Iran’s new missile arsenal.”

Kirk is right on with this. Obama has bent over backwards to appease our enemies in Russia and has opened the door for the proto-Soviet Putin to begin to bully surrounding democratic states without fear of a weak Obama crossing him. Obama has abandoned our Eastern European allies with this horrible decision.

Sadly, it appears that every time a Democrat becomes president, no ally can be sure of American support afterward. Democrats simply can be trusted with neither our foreign policy nor our security.
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Kirk Lambastes Obama Over Missile Shield Policy Change”

Budget - Business - Capitalism - Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Elections - Energy - GOP - House of Representatives - Liberals - Republicans - Society/Culture - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Kirk Suddenly a “No” on Cap and Tax?

September 16, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Rep. Mark Kirk (R, IL) has been getting hammered by conservatives and moderate Republicans alike for his “yes” vote on the Cap and Trade bill. But at a recent appearance Kirk suddenly said he now intends to vote against the disastrous bill.

The Obama administration admits that the Cap and Trade legislation will cost every American family and additional $1,761 a year and likely that is on the low side. Conservatives have slammed Kirk for supporting this economy killing carbon emissions capping legislation.

On the 5th at a suburban rally, Kirk announced his switcheroo amidst many loud boos and catcalls. “About cap and trade: I voted for it because it was in the narrow interests of my congressional district. But as your representative, representing the entire state of Illinois, I will vote ‘No’ on that bill coming up.”

Well, this sure seems like an opportunistic flip flop, doesn’t it? Now that he’s running for Senate he’s found that his cap and tax “yes” vote is proving to be an impediment to his campaign and suddenly he finds his principles again?

I guess Kirk should be congratulated for finally coming to his senses and actually representing his constituents’ desires, but the fact that he thought he could make a dash for the cash (he voted cap and tax because of donations by enviro-nazi groups) without bothering with principle or representing his constituents in the first place marks him as an opportunist of the worst sort.

Kirk’s reversal is at the three minute, ten second mark in the video:


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Kirk Suddenly a “No” on Cap and Tax?”

Barack Obama - Censorship - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Health - House of Representatives - Illinois - Liberals - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Ill. Dem Refuses to Vote On Joe Wilson Admonishment

September 16, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, this is an interesting turn of events. Representative Bill Foster (14th District, D, Batavia) decided not to vote “yes” to admonish Joe Wilson in the House of Representatives this week.

Instead of taking a stand to admonish or not to admonish, he decided to cast a “present” vote. Foster said he didn’t vote to admonish Wilson — like most of his fellow Democrats did — because it detracts from serious business. “Congress has better things to do at this time,” Foster said.

The rest of the Illinois Democrats voted “yes” to admonish Rep. Joe Wilson (R, SC) for yelling “you lie” during the president’s healthcare speech in an apparent violation of House conduct rules.
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Ill. Dem Refuses to Vote On Joe Wilson Admonishment”

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

Biggert, Shimkus Endorse State Legislator in Race to Succeed Kirk

September 15, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

RollCall is reporting that there has been some endorsements in the race to replace Mark Kirk in the House…

Illinois GOP Reps. Judy Biggert and John Shimkus announced this week that they are supporting state Rep. Beth Coulson in the competitive GOP primary and race to succeed Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). Kirk is vacating his Democratic-leaning suburban Chicago seat to run for Senate in 2010.

Here is the list of those running for Kirk’s Seat:

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Biggert, Shimkus Endorse State Legislator in Race to Succeed Kirk”

Children - Congress - Conservatives - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Elections - Gays - GOP - Liberals - Republicans - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Mark Kirk Aiding Pro-Homosexual Lobby?

September 14, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Laurie Higgins recently found another disturbing vote cast by Representative and Senate Candidate Mark Kirk (R, IL) revealing again his penchant of voting left of center all too often. This time he’s co-sponsoring a bill that will aid the homosexual lobby gain more influence in our schools.

Higgins reveals that Kirk is looking to vote “yes” on H.R. 2262, The Safe Schools Improvement Act — a so-called anti-bullying act. What could be wrong with being anti-bullying?
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Mark Kirk Aiding Pro-Homosexual Lobby?”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Illinois - Liberals - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Cook County Democrats Choose 2010 Slate

September 12, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

What’s the enemy up to? Glad you asked…

The Cook County Democratic Party machine met on Friday and chose its slate of candidates for the 2010 elections.

Federal and State Offices

U.S. Senate (seat held by Roland Burris currently): Alexi Giannoulious
Governor: Pat Quin (incumbent)
Attny General: Lisa Madigan (incumbent)
Sec. of State: Jesse White (incumbent)
Comptroller: State Rep. David Miller
State Treasurer: Robin Kelly

County Offices

Assessor: Joseph Berrios
County Clerk: David Orr
Sheriff: Tom Dart
Treasurer: Maria Pappas
Met. Water Reclamation District: Michael Alvarez, Barbara McGowan and Mariyana Spyroplous

The party also endorsed a series of judges but did not endorse any candidate for Lt. Governor or president of the Cook County Board because party rules for candidate presentation and percentage of vote were not satisfied.
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Cook County Democrats Choose 2010 Slate”

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

Maria Rodriguez Announces for 8th District

September 11, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Second term Long Grove Mayor Maria Rodriguez, 50, has announced her bid for the GOP nomination for the 10th District Congressional seat.

Rodriguez told reporters that Congress was “out of touch” as she launched her bid for Congress at an appearance in front of Abernathy’s Department Store in downtown Mundelein.

Rodriguez’ theme was economic recovery as she attempts to unseat Melissa Bean (D). Rodriguez also plans to participate in an upcoming healthcare townhall meeting in cooperation with Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr. and State Sen. Dan Duffy of Lake Barrington at an as yet undetermined location.

“I want to start listening right now,” Rodriguez said.

It isn’t complete yet but here is Maria Rodriguez’ Website.

For a .pdf download of Rodriguez’ palm card flyer Click Here.

The Long Grove Mayor joins two other GOP applicants for the office.

School Board member John Dawson’s campaign website

Greg Jacobs’ FaceBook Page
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Maria Rodriguez Announces for 8th District”

Chicago - Cook County - Elections - Illinois - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Another One For 14th District? Come on, guys, This is Getting Ridiculous

September 10, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The GenevaSun is reporting that longtime state pol Randy Hultgren is going to run for Denny Hastert’s old 14th District Congressional seat.

Hultgren is currently the State Rep for the 48th District and also served as the state rep for the 95th District.

If Hultgren makes it official he will join four other Republican candidates for the office. I sure hope that the party can get this field winnowed down because we risk spreading ourselves too thin leaving the Democrats able to overpower the GOP if we have more than one candidate all the way to the election.

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Another One For 14th District? Come on, guys, This is Getting Ridiculous”

Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Illinois - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois 5th District Candidate David Ratowitz Announces

September 10, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

A first time Republican candidate has announced for the Illinois 5th District seat. David Ratowitz is a lawyer and businessman originally from Hazel Crest. Ratowitz was a ROTC member and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a Captain of Field Artillery in 1997.

Ratowitz was a resident of New Orleans during the trials of Hurricane Katrina and after his business and home were wiped out by that event built a successful construction company.

In 2007 he relocated back to the Chicago land area and started a law firm in Chicago.

David’s Campaign Website
David’s FaceBook page

David has been politically active in the Chicago area for a number of years, advancing the principles of limited government and individual liberty at every opportunity. He is a member and serves on committees of the Chicago GOP, Chicago Young Republicans and the Republican Jewish Coalition. David is also a leader in the Campaign for Liberty, formerly serving as the organization’s Region 5 Coordinator.

It looks like the FaceBook and Twitter buttons on the website are not yet set up, so check back if you’d like to follow this candidate on those social media services.

Currently the recently elected Mike Quigley (D- Chicago) is the incumbent in this seat. This was Rahm Emanuel’s old seat covering parts of the North Side and west into Schiller Park, Franklin Park, Melrose Park and Northlake.
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Illinois 5th District Candidate David Ratowitz Announces”

Congress - Conservatives - Cook County - Elections - GOP - House of Representatives - Illinois - Republicans - State Government - Taxes - Tea Party - Warner Todd Huston

Responsible Taxation: Jeff Danklefsen Seeks Haster’s Old 14th Dist. Seat

September 8, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Political newcomer Jeff Danklefsen has announced his intention to seek the GOP nomination for the 14th District Congressional seat, the one once held by Speaker of the House Denny Hastert.

Mr. Danklefsen is a twelve-year resident of Geneva and seems to have been driven to run for Congress by his involvement in the Kane County Tea Party movement. He has no “political resume,” but says he’s ready to lead.

I do not have a political resume, but I understand the challenges families face with increasing tax burdens and the uncertainty of the job market. I am asking for the opportunity to represent the 14th District taxpayers in Washington D.C. I will stand up for responsible taxation, a balanced budget, and job growth.

The central message on Danklefsen’s website is that of the fiscal irresponsibility of Speaker Pelosi and her Democrat comrades including current 14th District Congressman Bill Foster.

Danklefsen joins several other GOP hopefuls seeking the nomination.

  • Ethan Hastert, son of former Speaker Dennis Hastert (FaceBook page)
  • Iraq Reconstruction Worker Mark Vargas of Elgin (FaceBook page)
  • Former Aurora councilman and businessman Bill Cross — not yet announced

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Responsible Taxation: Jeff Danklefsen Seeks Haster’s Old 14th Dist. Seat”

Congress - Conservatives - Elections - Illinois - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Conservative Summit, Full Report

September 4, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

As mentioned in the earlier post, I was invited to cover the Illinois Conservative Summit sponsored by the United Republican Fund of Illinois.

The URF is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and is Illinois’ oldest, independent, conservative GOP organization. The URF’s charge is to advance conservative policies and principles by supporting candidates that will advance limited government, individual rights, free enterprise, and traditional values.

Today’s forum is a Q and A session with six Republican candidates for governor where a set of four fixed questions and one candidate specific question was asked each candidate. Each candidate got 20 minutes for the whole session and were warned that they’d be cut off if they tried to filibuster. At the end a 9-question “lightening round” where the candidates were to offer short answers was given each candidate. I have to say that only one candidate came close to going over and even he had basically answered all the questions etc. so all the candidates were kind enough to stay within the 20 minutes time span (Only Kirk Dillard went on long enough during his opening statements that he wasn’t able to answer all the “lightening round” questions). The candidates were presented in alphabetical order.

**Straw Poll Results at the end of this report**

Among those in the Audience were several GOP notables some of whom were:
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Illinois Conservative Summit, Full Report”

Campaign Finance - Chicago - Congress - Elections - GOP - Republicans - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

John McCain in Town to Stump for Kirk — Are We Grateful?

August 31, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Former GOP candidate for president and highest profile Republican Senator, John McCain (R, AZ), appeared in town this weekend to stump for Mark Kirk’s Senatorial campaign.

McCain appeared side-by-side with Representative Kirk in Glenview on Sunday.

Now, I suppose that if you want to make a wild guess, you can feel sanguine that the national party has decided who it is going to endorse in this upcoming GOP primary here in the Land of Lincoln. This, of course, is a boon for Mark Kirk, but not very good for the Illinois GOP that should have been given more space to feel out its own candidates for its own representation in the fight to fill Senator Roland Burris’ ill-gotten seat.

There is a plethora of candidates coming forward to face the Democrats in 2010. Kirk is not the only one. But, if the bigwigs in Washington have their way, it seems that the others aren’t even going to be given a chance to make a dent before the national folks stampede for Kirk.
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John McCain in Town to Stump for Kirk — Are We Grateful?”

Anti-Americanism - Budget - Business - Capitalism - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Freedom - Illinois - Journalism - Liberals - Media Bias - Socialism - Society/Culture - State Government - Taxes - Warner Todd Huston

King Daley Apologizes for his Meter Mess

August 28, 2009 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Tuesday, Mayor “King” Daley apologized for the mess he and his buddies made of the sale of Chicago’s parking meters to a private company.

As the Chicago Sun-Times reports:

“I’ll be the first to admit that we totally screwed up the way it was implemented. I want us to do better — and we will,” Daley plans to tell the crowd at the South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. Shore Dr., according to a copy of his speech obtained by the Sun-Times.

No issue in recent memory — not even the Hired Truck scandal or Daley’s notorious midnight destruction of Meigs Field — has resonated more with voters than the 75-year, $1.15 billion parking meter lease tied to a steep schedule of rate hikes.

An apology is pretty meaningless when Daley is already walking around with the cash merrily jingling in his pocket and no real changes are being offered. After all, even as he was to “apologize” Daley planned to go on to say that the whole episode was still the best of ideas.

So, it’s really just more empty words from Mayor Daley.
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King Daley Apologizes for his Meter Mess”

Business - Democrats/Leftists - History - Illinois - Liberals - Patriotism - Society/Culture - State Government - Warner Todd Huston

City of Chicago Fireworks Show: No Patriotic Songs Needed

July 6, 2009 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

So when you think Independence Day fireworks audio productions do you think of John Mellencamp, Kid Rock, and Neil Diamond as the musical accompaniment? Apparently the City of Chicago did. Either that, or the City of Chicago didn’t care enough about the patriotism inherent in an Independence Day fireworks show to make sure that the radio station they farmed the job out to bothered to include any patriotic songs in the program.

Not only were there no patriotic songs in the program (unless you think “R O C K in the USA” is a patriotic song?) but someone forgot to tell the obviously clueless radio station that the William Tell Overture is supposed to serve as the finale of the show, not as the tune that is supposed to start off the display!

The City of Chicago is becoming well known for raping its citizens, but it is also now widely known for doing its level best to ignore the Constitution of the USA with its unconstitutional gun banning laws, its practice of high taxation for little return, its internal, mobbed-up corruption, its high murder rate and now even a casual disregard for patriotism.

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City of Chicago Fireworks Show: No Patriotic Songs Needed”