GALESBURG -- ----- Here's an eloquent message for the Labor Day weekend and beyond from Norm Winick, Chairman of the Knox Coounty Democrats. It's worth pondering.
First the essay:
We are facing fierce opposition to Democratic candidates and policies on two fronts this season. The first is the Republicans, who are lonely and greedy to reclaim many of the offices that we have won over the last several years. They are confident that the voters have forgotten how they abused their powers and neglected to serve the public which led in part to the many Democratic victories in the past.While they might be correct that voters have forgotten the 26 years of Republican Governors who sold state contracts and jobs and led us to the massive state deficit, it's our job to remind them and we will do so.
We need to let them know that we are not fooled by Bill Brady who learned at the feet of Richard Nixon and says he can get us out of our financial mess with his secret plan to cut the budget while he travels the state promising everything to everybody, including hundreds of millions in increased state spending.
We are not fooled by Mark Kirk who never told a story he didn't embellish beyond recognition. We are not fooled by Bobby Schilling who is opposed to everything that actually benefits people.If the government is turned back to the Republicans, say goodbye to the state minimum wage, even more jobs, your Social Security, and any chance of real health care reform.
But the scarier opponent is the tea party. While they claim to have little direct connection to the Republicans, who are also scared of them, they are taking hypocrisy to new levels.
The local movement is led by a retired former judge and a retired teacher, individuals who have been swilling at the public trough for most of their careers and are now collecting generous public pensions, (in one case over $100,000 a year). That doesn't stop them from wanting massive cuts in the government spending that benefits everyone else so they can pay lower taxes.
After pro-business policies and treaties, some acquiesced to by Democrats, led to a massive loss of American jobs and contributed to our current recession, they want to let big business and the free market run amok once again.It's possible to have rational discussions with Republicans and Libertarians and Green Party supporters, who often have a philosophy even if its misguided, but not with the Tea Partiers. They are generally clueless about any real issues or legislation but they are harnessing the anger that's out there even though they have no idea what they actually want to do with it.
They are as hypocritical, self-contradictory and ignorant as their members who opposed health care reform because it was socialism but wanted the government to keep its hands off their Medicare. But, we are the likely victims because there are more Democratic incumbents than Republicans and we are getting blamed by them for the mess we inherited.
It's important that we not be discouraged and let the voters know that there are fundamental differences between Democrats and Republicans. The basic one is that Democrats care about people and Republicans care about things. Said another way, Democrats care about human rights and Republicans care about property rights. It has been this way for generations and it still is. It's an important distinction.
The polls are all telling the tale of a disastrous year for Democrats. We can turn them around if we get united behind the issues and candidates who put people ahead of greed, workers ahead of investors and small businesses ahead of multinational corporations.
Now the news from Galesburg. (Pretend it's a poem, thanks to Typepad's lame system.)
--
First, I want to wish everyone a happy Labor Day. It's this weekend
when we honor those people who work for a living and made this
country great. The Galesburg Labor Day Parade, the oldest one in the
state, is at 10:00 am on Monday, September 6th, starting at Main and
Chambers Street. We will have our truck with a sign and you are
welcome to walk behind it. All of our candidates and elected
officials are welcome and I hope to have a great turnout.
If you would like to join the crowd walking on behalf of Congressman
Phil Hare, who will be at the front of the parade, please stop by
headquarters, 235 E. Main St., about 9 o'clock for some free coffee
and snacks.
We had a very successful Ice Cream Social and a very special moment
when former Congressman Lane Evans joined us. There's a picture of
him there on our website <www.knoxdems.org>. We also heard a rousing
speech from Illinois Comptroller candidate David Miller.
In conjunction with the Friends of Phil Hare, we have opened a
coordinated headquarters at 235 E. Main St., Galesburg, in the Weaver
Main Street Center, across the hall from Jimmy Johns. We need
volunteers to continuously staff it and if you are willing to help,
please call 309/351-7795.
There are three excellent workers assigned to Knox County who can
often be found working diligently in our headquarters.
* Darin Traff is a recent college graduate who grew up in Galesburg.
He's living with his grandmother in the city and putting in long
hours calling and putting up signs on behalf of Phil Hare.
* Colin Davis is from Canton and a student at Knox College, who's
taking some time off from classes to make sure Phil Hare gets
reelected.
* Dustin Morrison is from Collinsville but is staying in Abingdon
with his grandmother. His family is from Abingdon (the Polands and
Morrisons) and he has 26 counties of field operations to coordinate
for Pat Quinn and Sheila Simon.
Both campaigns are making serious use of telephones and need
volunteers to help them with that or other responsibilities. Call
351-7795 if you are available.
Norm Winick, Chair
Knox County Democrats
chair@knoxdems.org
www.knoxdems.org
251 E. Main St.
P.O. Box 2
Galesburg, IL 61402-0002
cell: 309/361-8000 fax: 309/342-2728
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