Comments by Illinois Review editor Fran Eaton at July 7 fundraiser for GOP Congressional candidate Rich Grabowski in the 3rd CD -
Is America on the right track? 7 out of 10 people say agree with you. No, we're not. Are you better off than you were 4 years ago? Again, 7 out of 10 people say no.
Do you want to change direction and in 2016 be better off than you were in 2012? Of course you do, we all do. That's why we're here today. We're all here in search of a better way. It's part of being human, and being part of a community that has not been defeated or demoralized despite the difficult things going on around us.
How many of you have family members or close acquaintances out of work? How many have friends that are discouraged and unable to redirect their career course? How many have college grads unable to find jobs and pursue their dreams.
It's a tough time in America, there's no question. Many are discouraged. It's urgent that we change our way of doing things in Illinois. We must no longer reward Democrats by returning them to power.
Discouraged people hear bad news or they avoid the news altogether because it's just too difficult to deal with. Others take the bad news they hear and complain rather than do anything to make a difference. Others pretend things will get better if they just hold on.
Then there's people like Rich Grabowski that are not satisfied with the status quo, and who are not content with standing on the sidelines and complaining. Or putting their heads in the sand and hoping bad things will go away.
Rich Grabowski follows a pattern of gracious, kind gentlemen with strong consciences and convictions that led our country to defy the odds and stand up for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness 236 years ago this week. That July 4th in 1776 began a revolution that took personal toll on the
lives of each that signed the Declaration of Independence that day. Most of them paid a heavy price for the stand they took for American freedom.
But nothing was more important to the Founding Fathers. And thankfully, that same spirit lives on in men like Rich Grabowski.
Rich has taken on a tough challenge. He's taken on an incumbent that is personally likable and has stood against his party's leadership on a few important votes. That's admirable. But that same incumbent stands with less than a handful in his party who agreed the Democrats' direction for one small segment of universal health care was not right for America.
And that's the point. Rich's opponent should stand against the Democratic Party because it is taking America and Springfield in the wrong direction. Rich is challenging Rep. Dan Lipinski who remains loyal to a party with foundational principles that are wrong and destructive to our basic principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That party can no longer be rewarded by re-electing them for the damage and havoc they've wrought upon our nation's basic principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
The Democrat leadership in the White House and in Congress hold on to Democratic principles that are anti-life, anti-liberty and have robbed men, women, college grads, teens, minorities, worshippers, potential wealth producers, entrepeneurs and disease fighters from the will to pursue
their hopes and dreams. That can no longer be tolerated.
Not in Washington DC. Not in the 3rd CD. Not in Springfield. Not in Cook County. And not in Chicago.
The Republican Party's foundation is its platform. Just a few weeks ago, the Illinois GOP voted on a platform that stood firmly for life, the traditional family and pro-job policies. They boldly stated the answer to revitalize our economy is not in more federal debt and stimulus packages for political cronies.
Where is Dan Lipinksi on that issue?
I can tell you Rich Grabowski is for getting the government out of the way and loosening the precious few funds wealth producers have available to get our ecoomy moving again.
Things have changed technologically and we must adjust our economy to fit those changing needs. The Democrats see only the need to protect their territory and their cronies in unions rather than offer competition in bidding for building projects. They've successfuly elevated building costs by passing Project Labor Agreements on any construction involving federal or state tax dollars. PLAs keep non-union crews from bidding on construction jobs. That wipes out free market competition.
Rich Grabowski is for healthy competition and new ideas to develop new industries and stimulate economic growth.
Where is Dan Lipinski on that issue?
He's obligated to stay faithful to his union cronies and his dad's friends to keep himself in power.
Dan Lipinski refuses to abandon a political party who's agenda is destructive. Rich Grabowski would challenge the status quo even if it was within his own party's leadership.
We cannot return Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi or even Harry Reid back to power again in 2012. We must send a powerful message to DC and to leadership in Springfield. Our nation's future depends upon ousting devastating Democratic leadership both in DC and in Springfield. It begins in the 3rd District - one of the most unlikely places in Illinois.
If a furor were to erupt in the Democrat-controlled, gerrymandered 3rd CD, it would begin to turn the state of Illinois rightside up. The next district would be Illinois' 2nd CD, and maybe my own 1st Congressional District. It could then affect the 4th, the 5th and outward.
That revolution can begin now, but only if you be a part of it.
Thank you Rich, for stepping forward with the same leadership qualities our forefathers implemented to eventually change the world. We cheer on your principles, your purpose and your cause - for Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
God's blessings on your campaign - and God bless America.
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Find out more about Rich Grabowski at www.RichardGrabowski.com
