by Nancy Thorner
As a Patrick Hughes for Senate supporter, I traveled by train with other Lake Forest women to attend a Tea Party Rally, not realizing that the Friday, January 29th, 2:30 p.m. Tea Party Rally at the Federal Dirksen Plaza in Chicago was sponsored by The Chicago Tea Party, headed by Catherina Wojtowicz, to endorse Adam Andrzejewski for Governor.
With my Patrick Hughes sign held high I entered the Dirksen Plaza, only to be greeted by Andrzejewsi signs surrounding a speaker platform and sound system. Although I knew that Solidarity Leader and Polish President Lech Walesa -- winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 -- was to endorse Adam at the Rally, I subsequently learned that prior to Walesa's appearance at the Rally he had made remarks on behalf of Adam at a fundraising luncheon held at the Union Club of Chicago.
Unfortunately the cold weather limited the attendance at the Rally. As one of 100 patriots who braved the cold, I was not disappointed. Early on there was plenty of "red meat" to be heard. Rally participants were urged to vote and support candidates who will take our nation back. That government has decided that it knows better than we do, not caring about what the people think. How in the recent State of the Union Speech Obama suggested that the American people just didn't get it. How we have been listening for 11 months, we know what Obama wants, and we don't like it. How we should all be disgusted about politics in Chicago and the tricks being played.
The Chicago Tea Party leader, Catherina Wojtowicz, related how we were told early on to give Obama a chance. She expressed with conviction that "the Lord is moving mountains and it has started" (in looking ahead to wins in next week's Primary Election). Catherina described the Tea Party Movement as "a way back to build a party that represents the people of Illinois" and how Tea Party members believe in reducing taxes, reducing the size of government, fiscal responsibility, and understanding the original Constitution and the intent of our Founding Fathers.
Unfamiliar speakers included Tom Weber from the 9/12 Group, Rockford Tea Party leader David Hale, and John C.A. Bambenek, Principal Author of "The Putback Amendment." Mr. Bambenek was greeted enthusiastically upon enumerating the reforms proposed in his Amendment for Springfield. They were: Term Limits; Ending Gerrymandering; Reforming Legislative Compensation; 7-Day Public Viewing of Legislation; Protects Individual and Independent Legislators; and Unicameral with 3-Member Districts. http://www.putbackamendment.com
Two speakers known to me were (1) Don Castella, Chairman of Vernon Township in Lake County who hopes to replace Dan Venturi as Lake County Chair of the Republican Party. Don was introduced to the group as one fighting to reform the Republican Party in Illinois; he has endorsed Adam and is actively working to elect him and (2) Bruno Behrend, who was an early supporter of Adam and who serves as a campaign manager.
Knowing that my Senate candidate of choice, Patrick Hughes, was scheduled to speak at the Rally, I was pleased when Patrick mounted the stage to enlist the support of those gathered. I was rather surprised when Judge Donald Lowery made a similar passionate appeal for votes, since Hughes and Lowery are competing for the same conservative Republican voters.
There was great excitement when announced that the car carrying Adam Andrzejewski and Lech Walesa was approaching Federal Plaza. Accompanying Adam and Mr. Walesa was a translator and another individual -- introduced as co-founder of the Solidarity Movement -- who had traveled with Walesa from Poland to Chicago. As Adam later remarked, "This is the first time Lech Walesa has come to America in support of a candidate."
Lech Walesa's remarks were brief.. As interpreted by a translation: "I like to stand behind the victor. I wish you success, and if you succeed I'll show up again."
It was then time for Adam to speak. Among his remarks: "The problem in Illinois is jobs, jobs, jobs, followed by unethical behavior. . . .Real reform requires a new generation of leadership. . . . Just 30 years ago reform was brought to Poland by Lech Walesa." Adam described himself as one outsider running against five insiders. Adam also spoke of this election as one where the Republican leadership is attempting to pick the candidates, rather than allowing the voters to decide.
Often asked by Adam during his months of campaigning: "Do you feel that Illinois is running well?" The answer to the question was obvious to all. If answered truthfully, most Illinoisans would arrive at the same conclusion - a resounding NO! Illinois needs new leadership. The status quo is unacceptable.
Credit goes to the media for showing up to cover the The Chicago Tea Party event with TV cameras and reporters.
The Chicago Tea Party leader, Catherina Wojtowicz, related how we were told early on to give Obama a chance. She expressed with conviction that "the Lord is moving mountains and it has started" (in looking ahead to wins in next week's Primary Election). Catherina described the Tea Party Movement as "a way back to build a party that represents the people of Illinois" and how Tea Party members believe in reducing taxes, reducing the size of government, fiscal responsibility, and understanding the original Constitution and the intent of our Founding Fathers.
Unfamiliar speakers included Tom Weber from the 9/12 Group, Rockford Tea Party leader David Hale, and John C.A. Bambenek, Principal Author of "The Putback Amendment." Mr. Bambenek was greeted enthusiastically upon enumerating the reforms proposed in his Amendment for Springfield. They were: Term Limits; Ending Gerrymandering; Reforming Legislative Compensation; 7-Day Public Viewing of Legislation; Protects Individual and Independent Legislators; and Unicameral with 3-Member Districts. http://www.putbackamendment.com
Two speakers known to me were (1) Don Castella, Chairman of Vernon Township in Lake County who hopes to replace Dan Venturi as Lake County Chair of the Republican Party. Don was introduced to the group as one fighting to reform the Republican Party in Illinois; he has endorsed Adam and is actively working to elect him and (2) Bruno Behrend, who was an early supporter of Adam and who serves as a campaign manager.
Knowing that my Senate candidate of choice, Patrick Hughes, was scheduled to speak at the Rally, I was pleased when Patrick mounted the stage to enlist the support of those gathered. I was rather surprised when Judge Donald Lowery made a similar passionate appeal for votes, since Hughes and Lowery are competing for the same conservative Republican voters.
There was great excitement when announced that the car carrying Adam Andrzejewski and Lech Walesa was approaching Federal Plaza. Accompanying Adam and Mr. Walesa was a translator and another individual -- introduced as co-founder of the Solidarity Movement -- who had traveled with Walesa from Poland to Chicago. As Adam later remarked, "This is the first time Lech Walesa has come to America in support of a candidate."
Lech Walesa's remarks were brief.. As interpreted by a translation: "I like to stand behind the victor. I wish you success, and if you succeed I'll show up again."
It was then time for Adam to speak. Among his remarks: "The problem in Illinois is jobs, jobs, jobs, followed by unethical behavior. . . .Real reform requires a new generation of leadership. . . . Just 30 years ago reform was brought to Poland by Lech Walesa." Adam described himself as one outsider running against five insiders. Adam also spoke of this election as one where the Republican leadership is attempting to pick the candidates, rather than allowing the voters to decide.
Often asked by Adam during his months of campaigning: "Do you feel that Illinois is running well?" The answer to the question was obvious to all. If answered truthfully, most Illinoisans would arrive at the same conclusion - a resounding NO! Illinois needs new leadership. The status quo is unacceptable.
Credit goes to the media for showing up to cover the The Chicago Tea Party event with TV cameras and reporters.
