By Mark Weyermuller -
People who know me know that I love Halloween. They also know that I have a small interest in politics. For the past twelve years, I have decorated by front yard on Lawndale Street in Wilmette, Illinois with a political theme. Many visitors have said it is quite scary.
Our yard consists of orange lights, pumpkins, air-blown characters, and life-sized figures of politicians. Last year, our theme was the government shut down, before that the 2012 presidential election. Three years ago, we had the healthcare bill debate in the lawn display.
This year the theme is "Mid-Term Elections." We have a life-sized Governor Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner squaring off in a debate with a pumpkin head air-blown moderator. This is not a slam against main stream media, then again maybe it is. Quinn appears to be stealing a Rauner sign out of the ground. Rauner is holding a large wad of cash.
This year President Barack Obama is seen doing the 'latte salute" while holding a golf putter. He is standing in front of his teleprompter, possibly waiting for a tee time. As a bipartisan lawn display, we poke fun at all politicians. On Obama's left, some say appropriately , is Chris Christie holding a toy bridge. I guess it is some reference to "Bridgegate.'
The early voter Frankenstein is back along with the infamous dead voter headstone. It says "vote early and often." In in the distance is a life-sized George Bush. His sign says, "don't blame me."
Lurking in the back is an scary creature with a sign that says Lois Lerner surrounded by tiny witches. Lerner, a former official at the Internal Revenue Service is alleged to have treated conservative and tea party groups unfairly in attempting to get tax exempt status.
Also on the yard is Hillary Clinton with a 2016 sign standing next to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel who is holding a dead fish. Perennial favorite former governor Rod Blagojevich is back sporting his hairbrush. He is next to House Soeaker Michael Madigan.
On Friday on halloween we will be giving out the jumbo size candy bars to the first 150 kids in costume. The rest will get sweet tarts. Kids will have a choice if candy or a copy of the 2000 page healthcare bill. Most pick the candy.
Stop by and see it before Saturday morning. We are doing a quick take down switching to 30 political yard signs. They are currently staged in the back yard. I just heard there is an election on Tuesday, November 4, 2015.
