5 Things You Didn’t Know About Rand Paul’s Faith

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

George Washington & Patrick Henry Scold Today’s Republicans & Conservatives

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

Republican Conservative Outreach Failures Have Created “A Farce, A Tragedy, Or Both”

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.

Conservatives Must Shift Into Full Outreach Mode

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

How to Correct Abuses of Constitutional Power

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

One Candidate Drops, Another Enters 18th CD Special Election Primary

Senator LaHood, Representative Unes Consider Congressional Vacancy

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

U.S. Rep. Schock Resigns In Wake of Ethical Questions

Written by David E. Smith

U.S. Representative Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) announced Tuesday that he would be resigning from Congress at the end of the month in the wake of six weeks of being peppered with questions regarding his lavish spending — including tens of thousands of dollars in mileage reimbursements he received for his personal vehicle.

Schock issued this statement:

“Today, I am announcing my resignation as a Member of the United States House of Representatives effective March 31st.

Chuy Garcia as Mayor? It Could Happen

Written by Russ Stewart

It’s reality check time in the Chicago mayoral race. Chuy Garcia is not Harold Washington. This is not 1983. The Hispanic base vote is nowhere near the black base vote, then and now. The result of the Feb. 24 municipal election, which set up an April 7 runoff between Garcia and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, may or may not be a “consciousness-raising” event. “They are energized,” Frank Avila, a longtime political activist, said of Hispanic voters.… Continue Reading

37 State Lawmakers Decline Pensions While State Faces Unfunded Liability

Written by Scott Reeder

Four years ago, State Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) walked into a state office and announced he didn’t want a pension.

“I got a blank look in response. The General Assembly has an incredibly generous pension plan, and I was told I was the first legislator to choose not to participate in more than 14 years. I guess I was a trend-setter because today one-fifth of the General Assembly doesn’t participate,” the Palatine Republican said.… Continue Reading