This writer is not new to the Illinois political fray — and despite the “long train of abuses” we have suffered, I have never been more encouraged about the prospects for the success of those supporting the right policy reforms within the next few years than I am now.
Am I crazy? No.
When Bruce Rauner signed HB 40 and made it legal for the pro-aborts to use your tax dollars to fund the murder of the unborn, several leaders in our General Assembly finally found their voices and condemned Rauner and supported a challenger against him in the primary. As you no doubt know, Rauner has some money, so finally principle sparked defiance, overcoming political expediency.
That was not what usually happens.
The loss of Jeanne Ives in the primary is not bad news. She came close, gave Rauner a scare, and showed that conservatives, when activated, are a force to be reckoned with even in this state. The Ives team, however, was not ready to win a general election, and a big loss in November would have further dispirited her supporters.
Now, conservatives are already building upon that Ives campaign effort. Pro-life groups are withdrawing support from 8 GOP General Assembly candidates who did put political expediency above the sanctity of life by supporting the very pro-abortion “Equal Rights” Amendment. Afraid of what is guaranteed to be an onslaught of well-funded campaigns by pro-ERA forces against them this fall pushing lies regarding the ERA, those 8 buckled.
Let me assure you, that is not an every day event in Illinois conservative politics.
It has also come to my attention that conservatives are mobilizing because Rauner and his team of anti-GOP Platform Republicans in Name Only are looking to purge conservatives from the leadership of the state party. Hardly anyone is falling for Rauner’s call to unity in advance of the November election. They see his bought-and-paid for troops moving aggressively to punish those who supported Jeanne Ives.
Tomorrow at Republican Party County Conventions across the state, conservatives will be engaging in the battle. If you’re an elected Precinct Committeeman or know one, please know that attendance is critical. Learning who the best candidates for party leadership are and voting for them can start us on the road to recovery.
Will there be enough conservatives at those conventions to carry the day? We’ll know by weeks-end. What’s happening this week is a mini-drama in light of history, but it is an important one for the future of our state.
Since at least the founding of our nation, citizens issued a cry to their fellow country men and women to engage in the battle first to achieve, then to defend freedom. The United States’ story is filled with better-than-fiction stories of how individuals rose up and saved the day — not only here in the States, but even to the point of rescuing other nations in hot and cold world wars.
Is that overly dramatic? If you think so, let me challenge you to look closely at history. The challenges we face today in Illinois will only be met by people who are inspired by their forbearers’ accomplishments to clean up the mess made here in Illinois by a bi-partisan (yes, Republican and Democrat) cabal of profiteers in and out of political office.
The Declaration of Independence, called the “birth certificate” of our country, is a wonderful document that lists grievances which led the colonists to revolt against the old way of doing things. First, it laid out the right to do so:
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
When should it be done?
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;
Here’s a fact we’re seeing illustrated every day in Illinois — people “more disposed” to put up with things that are causing them suffering:
and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But…but, the document goes on:
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
And then the list begins.
What does that amazing history have to do with Illinois in 2018? Your duty is — yes, YOUR DUTY — “to throw of such government, and to provide new Guards for their future security” — right here, right now.
Do your homework and look for a way to engage. If you’re a Precinct Committeeman, you have your marching orders for tomorrow. As dark as the day seems to be, there is hope if enough of our fellow Christians and political conservatives rise and join the fight.
As to that “long train of abuses,” let these “Facts be submitted to a candidate world…”
I’ve been gathering headlines for several weeks — and the following list of them is ridiculous and disgusting and the clearest window into the corruption that dominates Illinois government and politics.
Of course, for even more examples of what is represented below, check out the Illinois Family Institute‘s website as well as the archive here at Illinois Family Action.
If you’re in the mood for punishment, read a few or a lot of these articles. If you have a weak stomach, you might want to just peruse the headlines. For excerpts from these articles, click here.
Taxpayer Costs Soared as Illinois Public College & University Enrollment Dropped
Flying Blind: Illinois’ Revenue Estimates and the Basics of Bad Budgeting
State’s bond rating ‘uncommonly low’ due to ‘crisis-like budget environment’
Chicago Public Schools Sinks $1B Deeper in Debt
Lake County homeowners: Where do your property taxes go?
Latest Illinois CAFR shows increased debt, worst in nation
New Financial Statements: Illinois’ Net Worth Plummets Deeper Into The Red
Chicago Tribune Editorial: In four letters, why people leave Cook County: J-O-B-S
Illinois Budget Deficit Soars to $14.6 Billion in FY 2017
More than 80 percent of Illinois counties saw population loss in 2017
Illinois bill backlog up over $9 billion again
Op-ed: Illinois pulling away from rest of U.S. in overtaxing its populace
New rankings show Illinois dead worst on total state and local tax burden
Report: Illinoisans pay highest local, state taxes in country
Illinois sees stagnant jobs growth, declining labor force in January
Report: Illinois is 2018’s least fiscally stable state
Your local school district might be asking for more money
Illinois’ regressive pension funding scheme: wealthiest school districts benefit most
Poll: 4 of 5 voters think Illinois on wrong track
Transparency group finds pay spiking practices continue to cost taxpayers in Illinois
Illinois Household Income Up 111% In Past 30 Years; State Pension Benefits …. Up 1,061%
The ‘Big Dogs’ of Illinois Municipal Government: 2017 Edition
