Illinois Review

Skeptics

From Salvo Magazine

Video: Economic Jeopardy

America's love/hate affair with government

by Gloria Borger, CNN Chief Political Analyst

It's a problem that has been around for awhile, and the longer it stays, the tougher it is to reverse. That's because it's a riddle that's almost impossible to resolve: Americans want the government to fix our problems, but they don't trust the government to do it.

We want health care to be fixed, Medicare and Social Security to stay intact, emergencies to be handled. We also want lower taxes along with a smaller—yet more responsive—government. All in all, we would like to spend less and get more.

Small wonder we don't believe government can do it, because it cannot.

Read the rest HERE

Durbin Tells WLS: Not Enough Dem Votes to Pass Obama Bill

By Mark Rhoads

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-ILL) , told Bill Cameron on WLS radio last night that Democrats do not have enough votes among their majority in the Senate to pass the $450 billion jobs bill that President Obama is demanding.  So contrary to the President's favorite hyper-partisan theme of always blaming the GOP exclusively for all his troubles, it turns out that it is not only Republicans who are blocking the president after all, this time it is also Democrats who do not want to vote for a huge tax increase, even on the richest Americans, before the 2012 election. Why should Democratic senators who are up for re-election cast a vote for a massive tax increase when they know the bill cannot pass the GOP-Tea Party majority in the House?  It looks like the Obama scare-tactic strategy might have backfired since Democratic incumbents are the ones who are most scared now of not being reelected.

Video: Gassing Up with Obama

Ten Media Truths for Conservative/Republican Legislators

by Moe Lane

Ten Media Truths for Conservative/Republican Legislators

1. The Media hates you, and wants you to die in a fire.
2. The Media will only reliably compliment you when you do things to help liberals and Democrats.
3. The Media loves it when you attack other conservatives/Republicans.
4. You will never, ever, ever be able to reliably buy off the Media by being a ‘good’ (i.e., self-hating) conservative/Republican.
5. Every flaw that you have – real or perceived – will be magnified by the Media. You will get no slack at all.
6. Every flaw that your opponent has – real or perceived – will be downplayed by the Media.
7. If you get an endorsement from a major Media source, it’s probably because your opponent was caught in a horrific scandal. So don’t count on getting that endorsement the next time.
8. The Media has no shame, no sense of guilt, and no institutional memory of its own faults, flaws, and prejudices. Do not appeal to its better nature: the Media could care less about your opinion of it.
9. Do not whine about any of this: the truth is, this unrelenting hostility from the Media will (if properly handled) simply make you an unstoppable political machine.
10. Most importantly: THE MEDIA DID NOT ELECT YOU. The voters did. Keep that in mind when you’re working out your legislative priorities.

Illinois Libertarians to meet in Bloomington in October

Libertarians throughout the state will meet in Bloomington, Illinois, at The Chateau Hotel and Conference Center the weekend of October 21-23 for their annual Convention. This year's theme is "Libertarians for Peace and Prosperity" and the event will feature an exciting blend of social and economic topics with outstanding speakers and workshop presentations.

Saturday, October 22nd, the Convention will also host a Presidential Candidates Forum for Libertarian Candidates vying for the Party's presidential nomination. Candidates participating include: Roger Gary (TX), RJ Harris (OK), Carl Person (NY), and Lee Wrights (TX)

Ivan Eland, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center on Peace and Prosperity at The Independent Institute and author of numerous books, including Recarving Rushmore: Ranking the Presidents on Peace, Prosperity and Liberty, is this year's Keynote Speaker.

Sunday Brunch Speaker is Michael Badnarik, 2004 Libertarian Presidential Nominee, constitutional scholar and author of the book, Good to be King, a Beginner's Guide to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Michael travels extensively teaching his critically acclaimed Introduction to the Constitution class.

Durbin: Help Duckworth take IL-08 back from Tea Party

Think Durbin's a mean-nothing, who cares senator?  Check out what Durbin's sending to his email list today ... to take back IL's 8th CD "from the Tea Party"!

I don't usually get involved in primaries, but I do make rare exceptions. One of those exceptions is for Tammy Duckworth.

She has shown courage serving her country overseas and common sense when it comes to dealing with the challenges we face here at home. She understands what it takes to get veterans back on their feet, and she understands how to create jobs that put unemployed Illinoisans back to work.

That’s why Tammy is running to take back Illinois ’ 8th Congressional District from the Tea Party -- to put a stop to their “do nothing” attitude -- and she needs your help right now.

Will you help Tammy with a contribution of $5 or more?

DCFS and Mexico renew agreement on illegal alien parents, kids

In a collaboration to keep illegal alien families in tact, DCFS Director Erwin McEwen and Consul General Eduardo Arnal have extended a memorandum of understanding that provides great protections for immigrant parents in custody battles.

Read story HERE

Wallace to challenge Verschoore for 72nd House District

Jonathan Wallace today announced his candidacy for State Representative in the 72nd House District. Wallace, a Republican, is challenging the incumbent Democrat Rep. Pat Verschoore.

“I’m running for state house because I believe it is time to bring fresh ideas and new leadership to Springfield,” Wallace said. “Both Illinois and the 72nd District are facing a terrible economic crisis.  We’re facing a 9.9% unemployment rate and it costs our state more to borrow money than Iraq. Our biggest exports are our college graduates.

As a small-business owner, I understand the challenges employees and workers are facing. We need real solutions to these challenges. Every week, more businesses in Illinois pick up and leave for neighboring states with more business-friendly climates. In the past 20 years, here in western Illinois we’ve lost several manufacturers and the jobs that go with them. It’s time for a change, and change needs to start right here in the 72nd District.”

Wallace highlighted tax reform, streamlining Illinois bureaucracy, and bringing state government into the digital age as key issues.