Illinois Review

Every Cent You Produce This Year - Already Allocated by the Government

by Matt Gauntt

That's right. The amount of money that the Federal Government has either spent, lent or guaranteed is $12.8 TRILLION. That is a figure that approaches the total Gross Domestic Product. The 2008 GDP for the entire nation was $14.2 Trillion. That is $42,105 for every man, woman and child in America.

Think of it this way. The Government just put one of those coffee cans at the front desk of every company in the US, with Timothy Geithner's picture on it. Below his sad looking picture are the words, "Can you help poor little Timmy have a productive life? Little Timmy is in dire condition and without your sacrifice, he might not make it". The only difference is that this little "donation can", has a Dr. Evil sized magnet at the bottom of the can. Every single, solitary dollar that is produced by every company in the US is sucked into the Government "donation" can.

Welcome to Bizzaro world.

Democrat Maldonado Says "No" to Reform

The Chicago Tribune's "Clout Street" reports today that minority business owners are against any reform of the bloated Cook County health care system. (story here)

NOTE: Guess the Tribune determined that "minority business" is against it simply because Democrat Cook County Commissioner Robert Maldonado (photo right) was flanked by a few of them during his statement today.

Well, back to the point. Democrat machine member Maldonado's statement was in response to a Health and Hospitals System Board's recommended reform for the bloated and bankrupt system. In response to reform that would save $20 million per year, Maldonado said:

“Is this the kind of economy we want for the people of Cook County?”

That pretty much says it all. Following his statement, Maldonado smiled and then went back to fiddling while the Cook County Health and Hospital System burns.

Anarchists To March in Chicago on May 1

Like death and taxes, the illegal immigration marches will take place in our very own sanctuary city of Chicago on May 1 - known around the world as International Worker's Day. With Chicagoan Obama in the White House, there's sure to be a good turnout of anarchists looking to celebrate. Perhaps Al Gore's global warming will bring a snow storm.

Another Illinois Democrat Benchmark

Today Gov. Pat Quinn (aka Lennie Small) celebrated the fact that 600,000 Illinoisans will get an increase in food stamps because of the state's share of the federal stimulus package.

Thanks to complete Democrat control in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly and every statewide constitutional office, the jobless rate in Illinois is one of the highest in the nation. Of course, Quinn never connects joblessness to food stamps. No Democrat ever does.

Daley/Obama: No honor among thieves

What is it with Democrat politicians and their "deals"? I guess there really is no honor among thieves.

First Democrat machine boss Daley sells his parking meters to a "private" firm for a $1.2 billion payday. Now he's complaining that the "firm" is doing a worse job than the city. Now that's the pot calling the kettle black!

No doubt Daley is contemplating telling the CEO of Chicago Parking Meters, LLC to take a hike. Just like his boy Obama did with GM.

Demolition Man

by Andy Haaf

While driving to an appointment yesterday (in my black vehicle which demands more energy than its white counterpart), I was lamenting over the news that Rick Wagoner was forced out of General Motors. What struck me was this however. What should I be more upset about? The fact our Government used its power to force a private citizen to resign from his job? Or that millions of Americans will cheer its actions? After all, very few if any feel bad for the rich corporate executive, right?

Thus here lies the challenge. How can Republicans connect to millions of regular folks whom get sucked into the tractor beam-equivalent of class warfare? How can Republicans better articulate the consequences to personal freedom which are under assault from Democrats?

Sure, I was wrong on the Socialism Stuff

by Matt Gauntt

On previous posts that I've made, there have been a couple left-wing zealots who told me I have no idea what I'm talking about.  The comments have ranged from esoteric definitions of what socialism is, to criticism that I've overblown things.

Sure - I was wrong.  Yeah, that's the ticket.

Turns out Barney Frank didn't know that I was wrong, he's still leading the parade towards socialism.  (I'm not sure, but I think the music I hear at Barney's parade is "It's Raining Men", but I could be wrong again).  The bill that is winding its way though his committee would regulate all salaries of all employees at all firms that are getting "bailout money".

Ya know that slippery slope you've always heard of?  Well, Barney Frank has just dumped a gallon of WD-40 on it.

Chicago YRs: Fighting taxes like its 1773

Chicago, IL – In response to higher taxes and unprecedented levels of government spending ushered in by the Obama White House and his Democratic compatriots in Congress, not to mention the Democratic leadership in Chicago, Cook County, and Springfield, the Chicago Young Republicans (CYRs) are hosting a Chicago Tea Party on Tax Day, April 15th, on Lake Michigan on the largest sailing ship in America.

Since President Obama’s inauguration in January, nothing less than “generational theft” has ensued.  This larceny is an $800 billion stimulus package that will cost taxpayers an estimated $2 trillion once interest on projected deficits and new government programs embedded within are made permanent.  Instead of extending the Bush tax cuts at a time when relief is needed more than ever, Obama will allow them to expire in 2011, simultaneously hiking taxes on capital gains, and unduly punishing individual initiative and the entrepreneurial spirit of the nation.

The GOP's House Hottie

John McCain's Generation Y daughter, Meghan McCain, writes a great piece today on her fiercely popular "The Daily Beast" about "The GOP's House Hottie" - IL's own Cong. Aaron Schock (R-Peoria).  

At the end of the day, Congressman Schock is only three years older than me. Which means he can relay a message in ways my father never could. His lack of cynicism is refreshing—he offered a different, dare I say more modern, point of view than those who have tried to make me feel unwelcome in the GOP—yet according to the Washington Post he votes 91 percent of the time along party lines, a testament to his dedication to conservative ideals. Schock’s youth allows him to be more attached to my (our) generation, yet he has not oversaturated himself in the media, making him all the more intriguing. With that comes much power; I encourage Schock, and the Republican Party, to embrace his age and his political convictions to continue to communicate conservative ideals to a growing audience.

Naperville North's resident radical

Although Naperville North cancelled Billy Ayers scheduled appearance (See Superintendent Leis' announcement here) there's another resident radical leftist parents and taxpayers should be aware of: Kermit Eby, III. He's on staff at Naperville North, and is the one who invited Ayers to come in the first place.

A brief "Google" of Naperville North teacher Kermit Eby III, and we find Eby

• Teaches advanced placement American History and social studies, and is responsible for inviting Bill Ayers

• Opposed multiple choice testing and No Child Left Behind

• Advises the school's Spectrum Club and Gay Rights Alliance group