Monday, October 25, 2010

Vote Early or Vote on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

The Two Most Important Constitutional Offices in Illinois


In order for Illinois to be place on a prosperous path, the two most important offices we will make selections for are Governor and State Treasurer. Working in tandem these two office holders are positioned to have the greatest impact on the quality of the business environment in Illinois. The creation of a strong business environment will make way for a prosperous future. Additionally, these two offices hold the key to getting Illinois on firmer financial footing.

For Governor


Bill Brady (Republican) will make a great governor. He will hold the line on taxes and make the necessary cuts in spending to whip the state in shape. Brady is a businessman from the downstate farm belt. Both qualify as solid positives. He will create a business environment for economic growth thereby once again positioning Illinois as the economic engine that can drive the Midwest.

For Treasurer

Dan Rutherford (Republican). State Senator Dan Rutherford has a solid business background. He has served as a skilled legislator known for getting things done. A workhorse, not a show horse as many of his democrat counterparts are. He will work hard to watch that the taxpayer funds are spent wisely.

The U.S. Senate Dilemma

When young I felt that a U.S. Senator was an office of high honor, but over the last couple decades my faith in that body has diminished greatly. It is filled with blowhards and too many members of our American aristocracy (lawyers). It has taken on the attributes of a “House of Lords”. Its importance these days is limited to approving judges and other Executive branch appointments through confirmation. It is the U.S. House of Representatives where the real work gets done. But we must vote for a U.S. Senator this election.


Six-Month Term

Mark Kirk (Republican). He would be an able Senator, somewhere between a Chuck Percy and a Peter Fitzgerald. Kirk is solid on defense and fiscally responsible. Should the Republicans make big gains he could be steered rightward toward needed tax cuts. His opponent would be a disaster for Illinois and our Nation.

Unexpired (Two-month) Term

Mike Labno (Libertarian). If you have some doubts about Mark Kirk and his squishiness then this vote is for you. You can be certain that Labno will do no harm and probably be of some help pushing back on the lame-duck socialist-democrat agenda. This vote will serve notice to Kirk that he is on notice. Should he fall back and vote for such things as “Cap and Tax” he will risk banishment to the political wilderness when he stands for re-election.

My Legislative Trifecta

Illinois Congressional District 14

Randy Hultgren (Republican). He will serve the district well. Hultgren will be a solid vote for lower taxes and significant budget cuts. Should he win, he will be part of the largest freshman class of congress in recent memory. You can count him to listen to and work on behalf of his constituents.

State Senate District 25

State Senator Chris Lauzen (Republican). A solid conservative that has served his district well. Always responsive to constituent inquiries. He needs to be returned to get the states fiscal house in order.

State Representative District 49

State Representative Timothy Schmitz (Republican). Not one for self-aggrandizement, Schmitz is a solid legislator that serves the district exceptionally well. Return him to office.

A Must Vote
Illinois State Comptroller
Julie Fox (Libertarian). She has the necessary accounting background to serve our state capably.

All the tea in China could not make me vote for Topinka. Ol’ Judy is nothing more than a donkey in elephant clothing, if you get my drift. After what she and her cronies did to Jack Ryan to give rise to an obscure State Senator named Obama, she needs to be retired from politics forever.


2010 Elections Will Get Our State and Nation Back on the Road to Prosperity.

Get out and vote. The right vote will put Illinois and our country in position for a prosperous future.

Monday, October 18, 2010

The Importance of the 2010 Election

The importance of this year’s election cannot be understated. The 2010 general election ranks much higher than any other election in this decade. Not only will voters be able to take a stand against profligate government spending, but will make a determination as to whether tax and budget cutters will make it into the halls of power. Consequently, moving our state and nation on the road to solvency.


Another great effect of this year’s election is how the reapportionment map will be drawn. After the dust has settled post November 2, 2010, legislators and the Governor will begin the careful negotiation of how the states legislative and congressional districts will be drawn.

Based on Census estimates coming out of Washington, D.C., Illinois stands to loose another Congressional seat. Based on tentative census figures the big gainers will be Texas (+4) and Florida (+2). Other states that will gain a seat will be AZ, GA, NV, SC, UT, and WA. Joining Illinois’ with projected loss of one seat will be our neighbors Iowa and Missouri. Others with a projected one-seat loss will be LA, MA, MI, MO, NJ and PA. The biggest losers will be Ohio and New York, both with a projected loss of two seats.

It remains to be seen whether that seat will come out rural Illinois or the City of Chicago. Based on past growth patterns, it is unlikely any seat will be poached from suburban Chicago. If one examines the current map there are two congressional districts that are egregious examples of gerrymandering. District 17 in Western Illinois floats from the Quad Cities area down the Mississippi River down to the Illinois towns outside of St. Louis, MO, then juts over to the Springfield, Illinois area. Currently Phil Hare (D) represents the 17th district. The other gerrymandered district is district 4 in the City of Chicago and inner suburbs. Imagine a giant horseshoe with large clubs at the tips. Louis Gutierrez (D) represents the 4th District. A young child could have drawn both of these districts much better than the legislature did ten years ago. This has to be improved.

I am inclined to believe that the seat should come out of the City of Chicago. Population growth has been greater in the suburbs. People have moved out of the city to the suburbs for decades. The Congressional map should be drawn accordingly.

The 2010 Election is very important, as we will make a choice between fiscal sanity or traveling further down the road to serfdom. We will also determine what type of legislature we will have for years to come based on the reapportionment issue that looms large on the horizon.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Fixing The Housing Crisis

                                         Have you had your stimuli today?


The Housing Mess Must be Fixed, Now!!

According to Realtytrac.com there is close to 2 million homes in various stages of foreclosure. In Illinois alone, one in every 314 housing units is in foreclosure. The national average is one in every 381 units. That is astounding. Currently, a number of lending institutions have sidelined their foreclosure process due to clerical missteps. The fact remains we have a terrible housing crisis on our hands. What is Congress’ answer to the problem? A financial re-regulation act. Not the solution.


One source I visited with indicated that the housing mess would not abate until 2013. That comes from someone in the real estate business for over twenty years and quite successful. Others have said maybe 2015. Now that is a serious problem.

In order to move towards a great housing recovery three economic components are urgently needed; job growth, income growth, and population growth are what are necessary to lift the crisis. Given the current administration’s policies and congress’ inaction, the lack of recovery will be further prolonged.

Stimulate Job Growth
(1) Cut corporate taxes to free up monies for investment and hiring.


(2) Cut personal income taxes and spread the brackets.


(3) Cut the payroll tax to 5% for employees and employers. Financial planners encourage people to pay themselves first often floating a goal of 10% of ones gross pay. Why should working people be compelled to put more than that into the ponzi scheme know as Social Security?

The tax cuts during the Kennedy years and the Reagan years had a stimulative effect on the overall economy. The same could be done during these hard economic times.

Income Growth
The tremendous effect of the tax cuts would spur stronger economic growth, create more jobs and cause incomes to rise. It becomes basic supply and demand classical economic equation. As more job openings are created there will be more demand for the best hires. Consequently, incomes will be bid up. The tax cuts alone will allow people to have greater disposable incomes.

Population Growth / Immigration Reform
While it is true that there has been a baby boomlet over the past few years, we will have to wait another twenty-five years before those youngsters enter into the housing market. We probably don’t want to wait that long for a housing market recovery. What is needed is top to bottom immigration reform. Begin by protecting our borders, which is in our National Security interests. Beyond that we need to re-examine who gets granted visas. Provide the undocumented incentives to: a) either become US citizens, or b) obtain the proper work visa. Correlating consequences should be made for those who do not abide. All criminals must go.

Until we turn around our moribund education system we need to attract the best and the brightest from other lands. In this regard we offer incentives to attract those highly skilled immigrants. Put them on a fast track to US citizenship if they invest in a house. Create a little demand for housing.

This trifecta of solid economic moves will have a healing effect on our current housing crisis. If acted upon in an urgent manner, perhaps we can see the housing market recover before 2013.