Written by John Biver
It might be a tired old cliché, but politics as we know it today is a tired old arena, so I don’t mind using the line since it applies perfectly: The definition of the word “insanity” is doing more of the same and expecting a different result.
It looks like conservatives are going to run more presidential candidates than ever — will they split the vote even more so that a rino can waltz into the nomination?
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Written by John Biver
Let’s face it, the past few generations of political conservatives have been politically lazy. While the small numbers of conservatives that have been politically active can be lauded for their efforts, relatively few of them have been effective. If you think those two statements are mean, tell me — where are the signs of that energy? Where are the fruits of all that effectiveness?
Scattered policy victories here or there? I’m not impressed.
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Written by Mark Fritton
The head of the Civic Federation — a largely Chicagoland business group — on Monday gave a panel of Illinois state senators some hard advice:
Illinois has to control its spending and pay its debts, and it must do so for several years.
Laurence Msall, the federation’s president, reviewed some of the group’s recommendations for a state budget for fiscal year 2016, which begins July 1.
The overall message: Cut spending and raise revenue.… Continue Reading
Written by Michael F. Haverluck
Unlike other prospective Republican presidential candidates — like former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, whose faith life is an open book — Sen. Rand Paul’s spiritual walk has remained a bit cloudy, at best … that is, until now.
Not your conventional Christian candidate growing up in the same church all his life, Paul, who officially announced his candidacy for the 2016 presidential GOP ticket , has been somewhat of a denominational transient over the years.… Continue Reading
Written by John Biver
Conservatives cannot delegate to others the responsibility of reaching the uninformed with the policy solutions offered by our side. If they’re going to wait for the elected officials or campaign consultants or think tanks or issue advocacy organizations to get the job done they’re going to be waiting a very long time.
“But I’ve got a life to live. A job. A family.” Yes, you do, and God bless you for it.… Continue Reading
Written by John Biver
Republicans and conservatives are supposed to be the folks who love the Founding Fathers, but I fear too often they ignore what those men said when it comes to (what I call) job number one (informing public opinion). Here’s James Madison on the topic:
A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.
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Written by John Biver
How do we maintain our liberties? Let us ask Ben Franklin:
This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties. A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins.
A nation of well-informed men? We certainly are not. And that is the fault of Republicans and conservatives.… Continue Reading
Written by John Biver
Thomas Jefferson told us what’s needed:
I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.
In what way are Americans hearing about conservative solutions to public policy problems?… Continue Reading
From IllinoisReview.com
News out of the 18th CD Monday showed State Senator Darin LaHood’s bid to succeed resigned Congressman Aaron Schock solidifying as another potential GOP primary opponent dropped out and an unknown resident of Green Valley initiated a write-in bid.
Bloomington businessman Ed Brady, once considering a bid in the IL GOP special election primary endorsed LaHood.
“Darin LaHood has a proven record of being a fiscal conservative and supporting legislation that improves the business climate in Illinois, and I know he will continue that record in Washington,” said Brady.
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Written by IllinoisReview.com
Two state senators whose names emerged as possible Republican candidates to succeed resigning U.S. Representative Aaron Schock said they won’t be running in the special election to fill the 18th CD vacancy.
State Senator Bill Brady of Bloomington told WLS Wednesday morning he’s not interested in leaving his duties in Springfield and State Senator Jason Barickman* (R-Bloomington) said he too, would remain in the Illinois State Senate.
“Yesterday, I spoke with many supporters, and discussed this potential opportunity to serve with my family.… Continue Reading
Tags: Aaron Schock, Andy Manar, Bill Brady, Darin LaHood, David Koehler, Jason Barickman, John Sullivan, Michael Unes, Tom Demmer
Federal Issues, Illinois Politics | David E. Smith | 
March 19, 2015 4:00 AM | 
Comments Off on Senator LaHood, Representative Unes Consider Congressional Vacancy
