Illinois Review

Video: President Obama, Talking Crap

Obamacare and Obamaccounting

from the Institute for Policy Innovation

I predict that one of the most common phrases in the American vocabulary over the next few years will be, "I didn't know the health care bill would do that."  And Democrats will be saying it most.

Even as the president traveled to Iowa City to let everyone know Armageddon hadn't happened, several large companies declared they would start health-reform-related write downs--AT&T for $1 billion.

Here's the back-story. In 2003, Congress passed the Medicare prescription drug benefit. There was a concern among legislators that including that benefit might encourage large employers that provided retiree coverage to phase it out.

Video: Democrats admit Obamacare will "correct the maldistribution of income"

Mobsters of a feather flock together

from the Illinois Republican Party

Today Alexi Giannoulias (photo right) sent a fundraising solicitation giving away a special lunch with supporters who donate to his campaign. After revelations of his close relationship with Boston Blackies owner Nick Giannis, will they be lunching at Boston Blackie's?

For weeks, Alexi has refused to answer questions about his involvement in authorizing Broadway Bank loans given to Nick Giannis, a close family friend now in custody on bank fraud charges.

Boston Blackie's owner Giannis was arrested on March 11th as he attempted to flee the country.  Records show Broadway Bank made a $4.25 million loan to Boston Blackie's in February of 2005 and a $1.2 million loan to Giannis in December of 2002 – after Giannis was convicted of illegal firearm possession in 1996. Giannoulias was Vice President and Chief Loan Officer of Broadway Bank when both loans were given.

Sheila Simon's broken record

According to the "selected-not-elected" Democrat Lt. Governor candidate Sheila Simon (photo right), it's about education stupid. Of course, when it comes to Democrats, what isn't about education? "Education" is the silver bullet to all our woes and therefore worthy of whatever amount of taxpayer money the Democrat aristocracy of Illinois decides is necessary to fund their re-education.

New voice. New face. Same broken record.

Take for instance Ms. Sheila's speech today to the Democrat Party of DuPage. According to the Daily Herald, Simon told those assembled to hear her speech that "The priority is education everywhere." She advocated Quinn's tax increase and said it would help "restore some much-needed money for education."

"We really don't have enough money to go around right now, particularly for education," Simon said. "That surcharge will help to pay those bills...and hopefully provide some extra money for education."

In case you didn't get the message stupid...it is "education"...as usual.

Why kids need to do well in school

Biden, Democrats admit they're against domestic abuse

Vice President Biden was at a fundraiser in central Illinois today demanding more tax dollars for bureaucrats so they can prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. Sort of the way more money for educrats (teachers) has resulted in higher test scores.

Biden was joined by former Republican Ray LaHood and by always liberal Dick Durbin at the Peoria Civic Center where he preached what sounded like quite the misogynistic barn burner. Taking credit for the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, Biden told the audience that more education and the adjustment of "cultural attitudes" was the key to preventing violence against women.

Biden sermonized that "No man, no man, no man, under any condition other than self-defense, has the right to raise his hand to a woman. No condition. None. Zero."

Always sensitive to sexual diversity, and with an incredible ability to state the obvious, Rev. Biden also spoke to the men in the audience, telling them "You don't want your friends to know a[nother] man raped you. ...Because you're ashamed." NOTE: We assume Biden meant sexual rather than financial rape.

Closing his homily, and reflecting his own political piousness, the Vice President told the audience that they're "doing God's work." As a demigod himself, Biden is, of course, an expert on the Big Guy.

Video: Krugman admits death panels save money

Illinois now has 2nd worst municipal bond rating in nation

from Bloomberg News

Illinois' rating on $23.4 billion of municipal bonds was cut one level to A- by Fitch Ratings, which cited a rising budget deficit in the next fiscal year for the second-lowest rated state after California.

The fiscal 2011 budget "will not sufficiently" address the estimated general fund gap, expected to total $9.3 billion, or 33 percent of revenue, Fitch said in a report today. Fitch kept the state on a ratings watch list for a possible further downgrade from the fourth-lowest investment grade.

The lower ranking may raise the state's borrowing cost as it comes to market with more than $1 billion of new debt and investors demand a higher yield. Standard & Poor's cut the state's rating March 26 by one level to A+, its fifth-highest, and Moody's Investors Service today assigned an A2 rating with a negative outlook, meaning the bonds may be downgraded.

Video: 3 Reasons Public Sector Employees are Killing the Economy

Take that bureaucrats: Chicago ranked worst for census response

Some refreshing news. Despite the Census Bureau's expensive, taxpayer-funded play-to-pay marketing campaign, it seems Chicago ranks among the worst in the county when it comes to returning the census questionnaire. According to the Tribune, "only 36 percent of Chicago households have mailed them back. That stands in contrast to a national rate of 50 percent, according to the Census Bureau." 

Our guess why? Because we in the Midwest are too busy working our tails off to take time to fill out the bureaucrats' paperwork.

Houlihan blows the whistle on Berrios and Madigan

Cook County Assessor James Houlihan accused Joe Berrios of trying to delay the arrival of property tax bills until after the November 2 election. Houlihan is retiring this year, and clout-heavy Berrios - a commissioner on the three-member tax Board of Review - is running for Houlihan's job in the November general election. Berrios is also the chairman of the Cook County Democrat Party and an ally of Illinois Democrat Party Chairman and Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (photo right).

According to the Tribune, "Houlihan said Berrios is slowing the work of the review board to make sure Cook County voters aren't angered before the election by higher tax bills. A cap on property-tax assessments will end in the city this year and is being phased out in the suburbs. Those caps have have limited property tax increases for many homeowners."

Madigan opposes extending the so-called tax cap, something Houlihan has been asking the General Assembly to do for well more than a year. Madigan makes money as an attorney handling property tax issues in Cook County in addition to his significant taxpayer salary as Speaker and the generous pension benefits the working men and women will be paying to provide for generations to come.

More about Berrios' antics in Illinois Review's special investigation section.

Illinois' illegal alien rights leader meeting with RNC chairman Steele

from the ICIRR

Two weeks ago, a delegation of immigrant rights leaders, including Joshua Hoyt, Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), met with President Barack Obama to warn of the political danger to Democrats if he and Congressional Democrats did not move immigration reform this year. This morning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, Hoyt and nine other leaders from national and grassroots immigrant advocacy organizations will meet with Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, to press the importance of immigration reform to GOP prospects among immigrant voters.

Boeing to take $150M charge for health care bill

It seems another Illinois company - Boeing - is going to be taking a hit because of Obamacare. The company today said it would take an income tax charge of about $150 million, or 20 cents per share, against first-quarter results due to recently enacted U.S. health care reform.

Starting in 2013, Boeing will no longer be able to claim an income tax deduction related to prescription drug benefits provided to retirees and reimbursed under Medicare, the company said.

Although the change does not take effect until 2013, government mandated accounting rules require that the charge be taken in the period the legislation was enacted.

Illinois Tool Works to take $22M charge due to healthcare reform

Glenview, Illinois-based Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) expects to take a $22 million, or 4 cent per share, charge related to the U.S. healthcare reform law passed last week. ITW said on Tuesday it expects to report first-quarter earnings from continuing operations of 48 to 56 cents per share, including the charge.

Chicago-style Congressional intimidation is sure to take place once the Democrats find out.

Fair Map coalition still looking for support

The coalition looking to change how the state draws its legislative districts wants more time to collect and verify signatures before sending them to state officials. The Illinois Fair Map Coalition decided Monday to extend its self-imposed deadline to collect petitions from March 31 to April 16.

More HERE

Family-PAC to host Michele Bachmann

On Saturday, April 17 at 9:30am at the Butterfield Country Club in Oakbrook, Family-PAC Federal will be hosting Congresswoman Michele Bachmann at a breakfast. According to Paul Caprio, the event will honor Bachmann for the outstanding job she's done to oppose the runaway Obama spending spree which threatens to bankrupt our nation.

For more information, email pcaprio1@yahoo.com

The Dems' new LG candidate Sheila Simon

After voting in Scott Lee Cohen as their favorite LG nominee in the February 2 primary, Illinois Dems' were apparently "shocked and appalled" when they paid attention to the background complaints on their LG winner. After pushing and shoving Cohen to bow out, the Dems picked the late US Senator Paul Simon's daughter Sheila to run with Governor Pat Quinn, who took over when Democratic incumbent Rod Blagojevich was impeached in January 2009. 

Now, pretending as if none of that embarrassing scenario took place over the past two months, the Dems plow ahead with their shining new star, picked per the polling results that say Quinn needs a downstate woman to shore up Quinn's weak spots. Simon was on Chicago Tonight this week, and you'll see how obediently she follows the Quinn plan for saving our state budget.

Cautionary Hope: Drilling for More Oil

by Ghost of John Brown

I am cautiously optimistic.  However, I am keeping one eye wide open.  The Obama Administration is expected to announce that they will open areas of the eastern seaboard up for off-shore drilling.  If this happens, with no strings attached, then I will applaud the decision.  While some have hoped (including me) for economically viable renewable energy (key phrase there - economically viable), we are not close to it yet.  In the mean time, if we are to get close to weaning ourselves off of foreign oil, we need to "drill baby, drill".

What concerns me, and it should concern everyone that believes in free-market capitalism, is that the President may try to tie the ability to drill on the eastern seaboard to climate change legislation.  The cap and trade bill might become the target of the old switcheroo.  Let the President destroy the economy with unnecessary cap and trade legislation and he will give Republicans their desire to drill for more oil.  Sure, we'll have more oil, but we'll have to pay through the nose to get it.

Where is Kirk on Obamacare repeal? And what about Cap and Trade?

U.S. Reps Mark Kirk (10th CD) and Tim Johnson (15th CD) are the only two members of Illinois' Congressional delegation that have promised their constituents they would work to repeal Obamacare, the Club for Growth's petition listing says. Kirk, however, appears to be backing away from the pledge:

“I hereby pledge to the people of my district/state to sponsor and support legislation to repeal any federal health care takeover passed in 2010, and replace it with real reforms that lower health care costs without growing government.”

Instead, Kirk now says he's opposed to the new taxes and Medicare cuts to pay for it.

Democrats’ Chicago-Style Threats Against Job Creators Continue

from the RNC

Democrats are turning to Chicago-style threats to defend their government-run health care bill. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) sent letters to CEOs of companies who told investors about the new costs they’ll accrue because of the Democrats’ takeover of the health care industry. In addition to a year worth of documentation, Waxman also wants the CEOs to come to Washington D.C. so they can be grilled by his committee. Since Waxman and the rest of the Democrat leadership has spent the last year on a disinformation campaign suggesting their government takeover will lower costs, they’re understandably upset at getting publicly called out.

But these companies have to do it, because publicly-traded corporations can’t quote empty promises from Democrats when dealing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That’s why AT&T submitted this report in accordance with securities law:

Illinois' Economic Reality: More Bad News for Illinois Economy

from the Illinois Republican Party

There is more bad news for Illinois' economy after Fitch Ratings downgraded the state’s bond rating due to billions of dollars in unpaid bills. The move means the Illinois economy is even less reliable now than it was before, putting us further on a path toward California-style I.O.U.'s.

According to Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady, the hit to the state’s credit rating is just another reason why it’s time for a leadership change in Springfield.

What's Assessor Houlihan up to?

by Greg Hinz

Retiring Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan apparently is not planning to go gently into that good night.

Mr. Houlihan has called a press conference for Wednesday at which, according to a press release, he will "charge politics" involving "Democratic Party leaders" and make a "significant announcement about the timing of second-installment property tax bills."

Mr. Houlihan's office declines to elaborate.

But it's no secret that he blames Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan for phasing out the 7% cap on annual assessment hikes, and that he is less than thrilled with some decisions by board of (property tax) review Commissioner Joe Berrios.

Mr. Berrios, the Cook County Democratic chairman, is the party's nominee to succeed Mr. Houlihan next year. But retiring county Commissioner Forrest Claypool reportedly is getting close to deciding to run as an independent for assessor.

Stay tuned.

Welcome to ObamaCare, Part II

by Americans for Prosperity

Last week it was the false advertising around the childhood preexisting condition ban, today it’s more on the politicization of private sector health care decisions.

In 2003, when President Bush expanded federal coverage for elderly Americans’ prescription drugs, he also included a subsidy so businesses would keep retirees in their private drug benefit plans. The payout was about $665 per employee each year they were kept on private coverage. The goal was to keep employers from dumping retirees into the newly expanded government plan.

Dold Calls Administration's Treatment of Netanyahu "Unacceptable"

from the Dold for Congress campaign

Today, Illinois 10th District Republican Congressional candidate Robert Dold continued to speak out in disappointment concerning the handling of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by President Obama.  This comes amid last week's visit by the Prime Minister to the White House.  The President failed to extend to Netanyahu the opportunity to make a public appearance afterwards or issue a joint statement regarding their meeting--a deviation from the standard White House reception provided to visiting heads of state from a friendly nation.

“I would expect that our Nation’s greatest ally in the Middle East would be treated by this Administration with more dignity and respect,” said Dold.  “This Administration’s actions are unacceptable as they only serve to isolate and pressure our Israeli friends to make unilateral concessions."

Schilling accuses Hare of intimidating John Deere and Caterpillar

from the Schilling for Congress campaign

EAST MOLINE, IL-- Bobby Schilling, the Republican Candidate for the Illinois 17th Congressional District, declared the Democratic Party is attempting to intimidate companies who fail to yield to the party's agenda. Democratic leadership recently demanded that the CEOs of John Deere and Caterpillar appear before Congress and surrender company documents, a move that has apparently met with the tacit approval of the district's current Congressman, Phil Hare.

"Our Congressman cannot even muster the smallest protest to this threat to our community's jobs and livelihoods while he marches in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi, Henry Waxman, and the liberal California Congressmen who run our government," Schilling said.

"Illinois FOCA" Law Defeated Again

from the Thomas More Society

The Thomas More Society as part of a coalition of pro-life and pro-family groups has been fighting Illinois House Bill 6205, the Reproductive Health and Access Act, which was defeated late last week.

For the third year now, members of the Illinois House have attempted to pass this pernicious bill dubbed the "Illinois FOCA" law because of its similarity to the "Freedom of Choice Act" that the US Congress contemplated in 2009.

Walsh to Obama: I'm Going For It

from the Walsh for Congress campaign:

 (Grayslake, Ill)-- "They're actually going to run on a platform of repeal...My attitude is, go for it... If they want to have that fight, we can have it."  - President Barack Obama, speaking on the GOP in Iowa last week

This is the typical, single-party combative nature of this administration and those starry-eyed individuals who follow it  like my opponent, Rep. Melissa Bean.

It is the arrogance of power that blinds them to the real issues.  This isn't about some juvenile schoolyard fight between Democrats and Republicans.  This profound disagreement is about the idea of the federal government completely taking over one-sixth of the American economy.  It is battle worth fighting because as we have seen over and over again, the government is much less effective and much less efficient than the private marketplace.

Back true reform with the Put-Back Amendment

by John Bambenek

For months, the campaign for true reform of Springfield has taken heart in every county in the State of Illinois. Voters on all sides of the political spectrum are fed up with the culture of corruption in Springfield. The Put-Back Amendment provides the only constitutional way to reform state government without waiting on entrenched political insiders to "permit" reform to take place.

The Put-Back Amendment is the only amendment which enacts term limits for legislators, ends gerrymandering (where politicians draw maps to ensure their reelection), ensures fair elections with crucial reforms to end political games in keeping people off the ballot, and decentralizes legislative power so no longer will the two legislative leaders have complete control of the legislature. More information on what the Put-Back Amendment does is available here.

Brady: Simon’s No Game-Changer

by Bill McMorris, Illinois Statehouse News

CHICAGO – The Illinois Democratic Party is hoping lieutenant governor nominee Sheila Simon can turn around Gov. Pat Quinn’s fortune among women and downstate voters.

But the campaign for GOP gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington is confident Simon’s pro-tax stance will turn off the voters Quinn is targeting. 

Lisa Mettler, a small business owner and a campaigner for Brady, was on hand in Champaign on Monday to see the Quinn/Simon ticket roll into town as part of a six city flyaround of the state. Mettler said Simon was able to connect with some in the crowd, but doesn’t see her reversing Quinn’s political fortune.

Lucky us: Quinn vows construction season will be biggest 'of all time'

With everyone looking forward to the beginning of more decades-long road construction projects in Illinois, Democrat Gov. Pat Quinn vowed to make the upcoming construction season the biggest "of all time in Illinois". What luck for we toll-paying, tax-paying drivers.

He made his pronouncement during a touch-down Monday at the Quad-City International Airport in Moline. In short, he flew. Presumably because he would have been late (like the rest of us) if he'd been forced to navigate the road construction.

More HERE

ILGOP names Cuthbert Chairman of Veterans Coalition

from the Illinois Republican Party

Mark D. Cuthbert has been appointed to the position of Chairman of the Veterans Coalition for the Illinois Republican Party effective immediately.

Republican National Committeewoman and Director of Coalitions Demetra DeMonte recruited and appointed Cuthbert to his new position. “Mark brings new energy and ideas to the position, including a desire to work with local veteran organizations and develop efficient ways to keep vets informed on the issues. I look forward to working with him.” said DeMonte.

A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Cuthbert, 29, served in the U.S. Air Force as a combat weatherman, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) of the Army. After finishing his active duty service in 2006, Cuthbert attended Harvard Business School, earning a master’s in business administration degree in 2008.

Pelosium

by Ghost of John Brown

I received this from a buddy.  It is found on a few blogs, so I am unsure of the author. I'd like to take credit, but I can't.

A major research institution has just announced the discovery of the densest element yet known to science. The new element has been named Pelosium. Pelosium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 224 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 311.

These particles are held together by dark forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

Judge says contractor can sue IDOT chief over highway work quotas

(Crain's) — A federal judge in Springfield ruled that Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig can be sued by a highway contractor who alleges that the state’s goals for disadvantaged business subcontracting have turned into an unconstitutional quota system.

Dunnet Bay Construction Co., a mid-size highway contractor in west suburban Glendale Heights, alleges aides to Gov. Pat Quinn are pursuing an unwritten “no-waiver” stance on the state’s subcontracting goals for firms that are at least 51% owned by minorities or women.

Dunnet Bay was the low bidder last January on an Eisenhower Expressway repair project. But IDOT officials rejected that bid after finding the company had not subcontracted 22% of the work to small, disadvantaged firms, as bid specifications required, nor demonstrated “good-faith” efforts to do so.

More HERE

Video: Your public school tax dollars hard at work

Stupid Beyond Belief

by Mark Rhoads

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) said last Wednesday that Congress is given the constitutional authority to mandate that individuals buy health insurance in "probably the same place” that states get the power to mandate that people purchase auto insurance. Every Member of Congress who voted for the socialist health insurance scheme is being asked by many groups where in the world do they think they get the authority to mandate that young and healthy people must buy an insurance product that they may not need or want. The latest stupid talking point the guilty Members of Congress use to answer is that states mandate automobile liability insurance; as if that authority were found in the Constitution; which it is not. 

Video: Rod Blagojevich Cannot Use A Computer

Remember: This guy gets a pension paid for by hard-working Illinois taxpayers. Folks who use computers.

Right Wing Nutjob Threatens to Kill Congressman

by Ghost of John Brown

Oh, sorry. I think I got that headline wrong.  It was actually a left-wing nutjob that threatened to kill Congressman Eric Cantor. I guess I've just been watching too much of the main stream media. They tell us that it is only right-wing nutjobs that are mad, so naturally when I read the article, I figured it had to be a right-winger. You see, left wingers are all about selling flowers and tie-dye t-shirts with the peace symbol on them. They would never THINK of doing anything violent.

Turns out that Mr. Leboon was actually an Obama donor. Wow, I guess that right-wing nutjob theory got shot down. Seriously, this guy really is a twisted soul. Read the account from JammieWearingFooland some of the youtube videos that he has put out there. He describes himself as the "son of the God Enoch", which would make him fit in rather well with President Obama, since many of his followers believes him to be deity as well.

Kirk, Klein: Strengthen Iran Sanctions Act in Final Gasoline Quarantine Bill

from Congressman Mark Kirk

WASHINGTON – As the House and Senate continue to negotiate with the Administration over a final Iran Refined Petroleum Act bill, U.S. Reps. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Ron Klein (D-Fla.) are circulating a letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) urging them to include H.R. 4807, the Iran Sanctions Enhancement Act, as part of the final package.

The addition of H.R. 4807 would ensure the President’s enforcement of the Iran Sanctions Act and the Iran Refined Petroleum Act by requiring the Government Accountability Office to identify violating entities and mandate Presidential action within 45 days of such identification.  The Iran Sanctions Act has never been enforced since its enactment in 1996.

A copy of the letter appears below.

Women's group applauds Cook Co judge's parental notification ruling

Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Illinois applauds the just decision of Judge Daniel A. Riley of the Cook County Circuit Court to protect our daughters by securing our 1995 Illinois parental notification law.

Parental notification laws have historically been beneficial not only for parents’ God-given and legal responsibilities,　but also for our daughters/young mothers considering abortion.

CWA of Illinois State Director, Colleen Nolan, noted “It’s time for Illinois to recognize the natural rights of parents to protect their children. After over 35 years of legalized abortion in this country it is now abundantly evident that abortion really does hurt women.”

You thought red light cameras were bad?

Chicago Corruption in the News Again (sort of)

by John F. Di Leo

While looking around for a news source a little more dependable than the Mainstream Media this morning, I saw the following headline on The Onion: "City of Chicago to Modernize Outdated Graft Programs"

While it's tempting to laugh out loud (and yes, I did) at such a lampooning of a famously crooked city government, it stops being as funny when you remember that it's your city, in your state, that they're talking about... and that it's likely to be forwarded all over the internet, making this "All Democrat, All the Time" city a laughingstock in offices and dorm rooms everywhere.

So go ahead and check it out -- we all need and deserve a laugh these days -- but the medicine might go down better if you can manage to think of yourself as a Wisconsinite, Indianan, or Iowan while you read it.

Democrats fear Obama policies will lead to violence

Fifty-three percent of U.S. voters fear violence erupting over the Obama Administration's policies, Rasmussen polling found last week.  Democrats fear those opposing Obama's policies much more than Republicans are concerned. 

...Seventy-one percent (71%) of Democrats are at least somewhat concerned that Obama’s policies will trigger a violent reaction. Fifty-six percent (56%) of Republicans are not concerned while unaffiliated voters are almost evenly divided on the question.

Democrats in particular have raised the specter of possible violence following their passage of a national health care plan that has been consistently opposed by most voters, They raised similar concerns following the angry congressional town hall meetings last August when voters complained about the health care plan and other expensive Obama initiatives.

And Democrats say Republicans are the fear-mongerers.  So, are you concerned about violence erupting or not? 

Foster wants apology for his bad poll numbers

Liberal Democrat Congressman Bill Foster is demanding an apology from the Springfield-based polling company We Ask America. Why? Because he doesn't like the results of their poll, which show the majority of people in the district are less likely to vote for Foster in November because he supported the health care bill passed by the House last week. The results include 57 percent of the district's key independent voters saying they are less likely to support Foster.

Responding to Foster's wailing, We Ask America's Gregg Durham noted, "If my results had been the other way, my guess is there wouldn't be this human cry. The reality is people in that district did not like that vote."

Retirees could lose company prescription care benefits with Obamacare

Tucked inside the rushed-through Obamacare was a slyly crafted tidbit that should cause the Tea Party movement to swell by hundreds of thousands.  It's what caused Caterpillar and John Deere to prepare it's retirees for an inevitable cut in one of the most important and life-quality pension benefits -- insurance-provided prescriptions.  Caterpillar and John Deere are the first of many companies to come who will figure out that this tax break is now gone.  Most other huge companies will follow suit.  Pensioners will then be forced to turn to Medicare for prescription coverage. 

Associated Press has just figured it out -- something they, and the shrewd Democrat-pushed-through Obamacare didn't talk about before it was signed into law.  Get ready for the Tea Party movement to explode with silver-haired protesters ... there's sure to  be more surprises on the way.  Those fear-mongering Republicans and Tea Partiers.

What are you getting for the money?

by Jim Economos

For those of us who are Illinois political junkies, you’re aware that Gov. Quinn selected and the Democratic State Central committee put in place as his Lt. Gov mate Sheila Simon, daughter of deceased Senator Paul Simon.  One would think Art Turner who finished second behind the disgraced Scott Lee Cohen who was coerced to quit after it was revealed he was not “nice”” to women and other issues.

So my question to all my brothers & sisters of color is, what are you getting for the money?  Answer,  “Chump change, brother.”  This what you’re going to continue to receive when you constantly vote 90% Democratic in every election without regard to the results.  While everyone speaks of diversity there’s literally no diversity when people vote lock step 90% of the time for the same party.  They take you for granted because your vote’s automatically assumed, therefore they don’t need to compete for your vote or support. You’re giving it away.

To Convene or not to Convene...an Article V Convention

by Sam Pierce

The state of our federal government is troubling to say the very least. Now that Barack Obama is President, the preceding sentence marks me as a racist in this "post-racial" era. Of course Bill Ayers was not a domestic terrorist for bombing buildings and such, but a conservative who believes in the Constitution is considered at least on the border of becoming one. The administration and both chambers of Congress are controlled by the worst political elements in our nation. This "leadership" and their compliant media outlets are pulling out all the stops to portray dissent as racist, uneducated acts of fledgling terrorists and to justify whatever steps may be forthcoming to exert greater control... for our own good.

Of course some leftist media outlets are worse than others. For example, The Huffington Compost is doing its usual best to whip up a frenzied libiot outrage over what they offer as proof of Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver being spit on by a protester as Cleaver and other Reps made their way to vote against the will of the people and the best interests of our nation. Since Rep. Cleaver is black and the person yelling through cupped hands is white, The HuffPo has its perfect ignition source. While nothing can be determined regarding any spit by viewing the video, the desired effect is evident in the comment section which accompanies it.

AFP Statement on recess-appointment of Craig Becker

by Phil Kerpen

President Obama's recess appointment of former SEIU Associate General Counsel Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board is the latest evidence of the Obama administration's astonishing disregard for Congress, the American people, and the legislative process.

This is on the heels of the president disregarding the Senate's rejecting his debt commission and creating it by executive order; the Senate rejecting the global warming agenda which he is now pursuing via EPA regulation; and his Internet regulation agenda (dead on arrival on Capitol Hill) being zealously pursued at the FCC. Congress emphatically rejected card check by the front door (the so-called Employee Free Choice Act) and by the back door (Becker's intention of implementing it without a vote of Congress is largely why the Senate -- with a bipartisan vote -- blocked his confirmation).

Gone are The Wise Men

by Mark Rhoads

In 1986, then moderately liberal authors Walter Isaacson and Evan Thomas wrote an excellent book called The Wise Men about President Harry Truman's key brain trust advisors in the early Cold War era.  They were attorneys, bankers, and diplomats Dean Acheson, Charles E.Bohlen, W. Averell Harriman, George F. Kennan, Robert A. Lovett, and John J. McCloy who became architects of American foreign policy regarding the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact for many years to come.  They were liberals but not in the modern radical Left Wing sense of that word.  They believed in American values and democracy and believed in a United Nations based on those western values that were included in the original UN Charter of 1945.

IL GOP's LG candidate Plummer comments on Dems' LG pick

Chicago, IL – March 27, 2010 – Jason Plummer, Republican Nominee for Lt. Governor today said he welcomed Sheila Simon's entry to this race. 

"I am confident we will have a thoughtful campaign that is going to offer the voters two vastly different approaches for Illinois.  Like Pat Quinn, Sheila Simon wants to raise taxes on families across the state. 

"While I was humbled to be nominated by citizens from across Illinois, Governor Quinn chose to ignore the voice of the voters and hand-pick Sheila for this post.  This is a perfect example of the arrogance of our current leadership. Bill Brady and I are committed to a clean break for Illinois, standing against job-killing tax increases and the monkey business that occurs in Springfield.   

"I disagree with Sheila's philosophy, but I do respect her and her sincerity.  I am sure Sheila Simon is a true believer and look forward to a campaign with her on the issues."