The Borking of Lawrence VanDyke

Written by Laurie Higgins

It looks like yet another judicial nominee is being Borked by unscrupulous Democrats who may have an unconstitutional religious test for holding office.

Lawrence VanDyke, Harvard Law School graduate, former solicitor general of Montana and Nevada, and evangelical Christian, has been nominated to the largest, wildly liberal, and controversial 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Despite his stellar academic and professional background, a majority of the 15 members of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary sent a shocking letter to the U.S.… Continue Reading

Why Trump Is Gaining Conservative Christian Supporters

Written by Dr. Michael L. Brown

A recent editorial in the New York Times confirms the results of my own online polling. President Trump appears to be gaining more conservative Christian voters than he is losing.

Writing for the Times on October 5, Jeremy W. Peters compiles an impressive list of former Never Trumpers who are now firmly in his camp. And quite a few of those on his list would identify as conservative religious voters.… Continue Reading

Joe Walsh’s Misguided Self-Serving Candidacy

Written by David E. Smith and John Biver

Some Illinoisans wonder how Joe Walsh morphed from a Trump-supporter into a Trump-hater so intense he’s decided to run against Trump in the 2020 primaries. What strikes many as odd about Walsh’s transformation is that Trump has accomplished much of what he promised and has governed more conservatively than many expected.

Perhaps Walsh, like other Trump-haters, paid too much attention to Trump’s tweets and too little attention to all the good Trump has accomplished for the American people, including record low unemployment among blacks and Hispanics, good judicial appointments, deregulation, moving the U.S.… Continue Reading

When Ideology Collides with Good School Governance

Written by R.B.A. DiMuccio

Should schools be focused on providing children with a good education in a safe environment or should they be laboratories of partisan political agitation? The answer, of course, should be obvious. The National School Boards Association states that “education is not a line item in your school board’s budget, it’s the only item.” The principles of “governance and leadership,” such as those articulated by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, make no allowance for focusing on anything other than educating children.… Continue Reading

Chicago Tribune Endorsement of Pinocchio Rauner

Written by Laurie Higgins

The Chicago Tribune has endorsed Bruce Rauner despite his lousy track record, his lousy debate performance, and his penchant for bald-faced lying (as amply demonstrated in his campaign ads).

The Trib sees Rauner’s resolve in opposing Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan as his chief accomplishment. But surely the editorial board knows that resolve in the service of principle is—along with her command of public policy—one of Ives’ most notable attributes.

So, why endorse Rauner who was named the “Worst Republican Governor in America” by National Review?… Continue Reading

National Review: Rauner is the Worst GOP Governor in America

Written by John Biver

Illinoisans have a lot to be proud of — we live in a beautiful state in the heart of America. Our people are hardworking, our soil is among the most productive in the world, our transportation systems are first rate, we have a world-class city and hundreds of great small towns. The list could go on and on.

But to our shame is our state government. Illinois is at or near the top on a lot of bad lists: corruption, tax burden, unfunded liabilities, and debt.… Continue Reading