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Thursday, March 28

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The Mechanics
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Media Mon Jul 20 2009

Illinois Review: Everything Was Fine Until Cap'n Trade

Gotta love the Illinois Review. Did you know that all Americans were happily enjoying their rights, unmoved to protest, until the devastating day that Mark Kirk voted for Cap'n Trade:

Most Americans got along well for the more than two hundred years after independence without holding tea parties to protest the excesses of government. The election process worked pretty well, the branches of government power were balanced, and freedom was pretty much a given on Main streets. What changed things in 2009?

Indeed, those stable 200 years after independence, where no Americans felt any need to protest, were rent asunder by Waxman Markey. Only by this vote has freedom not been fairly distributed and "a given" for Americans.

Here's one good example of the kind of representation that brought 10th District voters out to protest in public. Only a few weeks ago 10th Congressional District Rep. Mark Kirk violated the trust of many of his constituents by voting in favor of the Waxman-Markey Cap and Trade legislation in the House of Representatives. Kirk's was one of only eight votes that put the legislation over the top.

All kidding aside, the author ends on a note I think we can all agree with:

Today, I ask only that you give the state of Illinois the opportunity to have a careful and open discussion about the vitally important issues that will come before our new senator. Allow us an effective debate during our primary campaign by withholding your endorsement of any candidate until after the primary on February 20, 2010.

Competitive primaries are an important part of our democracy, and keeping the already stifling two-party system somewhat in check.

 
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J Stone / July 22, 2009 1:59 PM

Just remember that one vote doesn't change 20 years of devoted service. He voted against Obama's budget, the stimulus bill, and the omnibus.

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Feature

Parents Still Steaming, but About More Than Just Boilers

By Phil Huckelberry / 2 Comments

It's now been 11 days since the carbon monoxide leak which sent over 80 Prussing Elementary School students and staff to the hospital. While officials from Chicago Public Schools have partially answered some questions, and CPS CEO Forrest Claypool has informed that he will be visiting the school to field more questions on Nov. 16, many parents remain irate at the CPS response to date. More...

Civics

Substance, Not Style, the Source of Rahm's Woes

By Ramsin Canon / 2 Comments

It's not surprising that some of Mayor Emanuel's sympathizers and supporters are confusing people's substantive disputes with the mayor as the effect of poor marketing on his part. It's exactly this insular worldview that has gotten the mayor in hot... More...

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Mechanics is the politics section of Gapers Block, reflecting the diversity of viewpoints and beliefs of Chicagoans and Illinoisans. More...
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