Comments for Cook County Tea Party

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Illinois House and Illinois Senate District Map Boundaries – May 2011 | Illinois Patriot Connection

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 02:13:27 +0000

[...] Click here to view the proposed Illinois Congressional districts. [...]

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Illinois House and Illinois Senate District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by IL Congressional Districts – New Map Boundaries Proposed by Illinois Democrats – May 2011 | Illinois Patriot Connection

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 02:09:44 +0000

[...] Click her to view the proposed Illinois House and Illinois Senate district boundaries. [...]

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by A close look at boundaries for the new 9th Congressional District of Illinois – that would be the Schkowsky district « New Trier Tea Party

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:29:23 +0000

[...] http://www.cookcountyteaparty.com/illinois-redistricting/illinois-redistricting-proposed-congression... [...]

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Chicago Daily Observer » Blog Archive » Three Lawmakers lose Wheaton in redistricting

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:31:05 +0000

[...] city will be served in Congress by U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-6th) of Wheaton. Roskam has served much of Wheaton since he was sent [...]

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Termite708

Termite708 — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:46:00 +0000

Yes it has! A long time ago with the millions probably billions wasted on trying to put a third airport in Peotone! The money they have spent on their “land grab” for an airport NOBODY wants would go a long way in making up our state’s deficit!

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Termite708

Termite708 — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:39:00 +0000

Jesse Jackson Jr. has no interest in the well being of the citizens of Will County or Kankakee County! He needs to stick with the City people that elected him and stay out of my back yard!

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Termite708

Termite708 — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:33:00 +0000

This Stupid Map doesn’t tell me anything! All I want to know is! Does this extend Jesse Jackson Jr.’s district into my territory? Because if it does he can kiss my fat ass before he crams his airport down my throat! Does anyone out there understand that there is more to Illinois than the City of Chicago? Leave the rural parts of IL alone!

Comment on Action Alert – Call Today – Support SB 512- Illinois Pension Reform Bill – May 2011 by spike n nard

spike n nard — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:55:00 +0000

Why is it considered patriotic to support something detrimental to a fellow American? What I fail to understand, why people are attacking government workers (teachers, fire, police,college professors, et al)? These folk do not get social security. The politicians blame them for the hole Illinois is in. Frankly, it is these politicians that havn’t a clue on how to budget our tax money. That is the reason we are in such dire financial woes. Patriots and tea baggers, instead of attacking somebody that has it “better” than you, why not find out how to get it for yourself?

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Prinddv9

Prinddv9 — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:16:00 +0000

The new redistricting looks great. If the GOP had nominated Kirk Dillard to be the gov candidate in 2010 instead of that weak and very unappealing Brady, they would have been drawing the map today. Elections have consequences. Live with them.

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Gteman

Gteman — Mon, 30 May 2011 23:47:00 +0000

Republicans would never do this sort of thing, now would they Ron.If you don’t like Illinois, MOVE OUT.

Comment on Action Alert – Call Today – Support SB 512- Illinois Pension Reform Bill – May 2011 by Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 30 May 2011 06:38:00 +0000

OPPOSE SB 512! Check the facts, please.

The teachers’ pensions were and are hard earned and long been considered as part of our compensation package (to justify the lower salaries and wages)!    Would you have your fourth grade teacher reduced to poverty? If you were fortunate enough to attend public college in Illinois, call one of your former teachers and ask them what they expect to receive for a pension. Then make sure that you call the workers in the dorm cafeterias and the various civil service people that helped you to register, mop your dorm floor, or work to help you with a conflict. Can you imagine your kindergarten teacher stilll sitting on the floor for story hour and other activities every day, at age 70? These are the folks who will pay dearly for the gross negligence of the State of Illinois and irresponsible actions from many legislators and the refusal to take care of fiscal business over the years. In effect, they haven’t been able to “make payroll” for a long time. Our pension funds got IOU’s. IOU’s don’t earn investment income. Imagine what would be needed today if all of the old responsibilities were funded on a timely basis and earned income just like the employee contributions earned income. Gosh, we probably wouldn’t be in this pickle today.

Illinois has to live within our means? Sounds like balancing the budget on the backs of public servants and the most needy of our seniors, families and children of the State of Illinois. Who said that we had to take care of those who can’t care for themselves? The safety net just costs too much, take it away and hope that the unfortunate will move to another state. State employees are paid too much and the pension system is too extravagant a benefit to continue for the future and in fact the boldest politicians propose that earned benefits should be slashed, and while we are at it, the current retirees can afford to have their annuities reduced as well. Don’t forget the health insurance! The retirees now and in the future should expect to pay more because things change.   GIVE ME A BREAK!

I currently teach full-time at a large IL university, almost 20 years in total teaching and then another 18+ years in professional positions. A masters degree and professional certification were required for my teaching position in a very high demand subject area. I make one-third of what I earned in the private sector 10 years ago. My current annual salary is $ 35,001 !!!. Read it again. Surprised? If I am lucky, I might see a 1/2 – 2% annual increase during the next few years and that is ONLY because of our union and very fair collective bargaining for those of us non-tenured track teachers who are members of the IEA / NEA.. Many of my former students and our discipline’s current graduates are beginning their first career jobs at age 22 and somewhere between $45,000 and $70,000, and that’s to start!

I contribute 8% to SURS, and then some to deferred compensation and a 403b, about $600 to each for the year.   I’m trying, really, but I too experienced losses that are only now inching at recovery. I wish that I could see to set aside more but there just isn’t enough to go around. We pay our taxes too,   Gas, milk, deductibles for health care, utilities, the increases outpace our income increases by a huge percentage. There is less and less as each month goes by and so many items have been cut from our personal budget. Like many other non-tenure track, contingent and adjunct faculty in higher education in Illinois, I also work at one or two other institutions on a part-time basis to help fill the gaps. Physically, I pay dearly for the little extra, and leisure activities will just have to wait..

There are many higher education colleagues “roads scholars” that often piece together jobs at several schools just to make a living, and they don’t qualify for any benefits (insurance, sick leave, etc) because they are full-time at no one school. Often they have no office, phone, computer or clerical support. Some will cover 8 am classes and night courses and then fill in with teaching on-line courses. Each class might be a different prep. This is a very common situation in Illinois. It doesn’t matter if the schools are in close proximity. Some teachers will travel 100 miles or more one-way twice a week just to get in another few dollars each semester.

In Illinois (and 14 other states) TRS and SURS employees are also severely penalized on Social Security if they qualify at all. Check information on WEP / GPO. There are indeed civil service workers that continuing working well beyond full retirement age because they literally cannot begin to collect a very small state pension because it triggers a very severe reduction to the Social Security that they may already collect from a deceased spouse (the GPO at work).  I have paid over $60,000 into Social Security over the years, and for that I will lose almost $400 per month nearly 30% of full monthly benefits when I reach 66 (that’s the WEP in action). I’ll have a small pension from work in the private sector, but non-accessible without severe penalty until 65.

In case you wonder, I do have a spouse who will have a small private defined-benefit pension, a maximum of 52% of average salary (virtually stagnant for many years) and then modest Social Security. The 401k plan, sponsored by the company has a small company match (a fractional amount of the full company funding of the pension plan) Word is that the pension plan will soon be eliminated (buyout?) and that everyone will have to take care of themselves with the 401k plan. The bottom line will grow very fat once the pension expense can be eliminated. At present the company boldly includes the pension costs in the annual employee compensation information.   Even with careful investment the 401k balance fell by over 50% and is just now returning to the pre-2009 balance, mostly because he kept contributing every payday. How long will the funds last when the withdrawals become part of our monthly budget.

Those of you who believe that defined contribution plans (401k type) are the only solution now, are merely taking up the drumbeat sweeping the country for the past decade. It scares me to envision that the employees who can least afford to make mistakes will become victims of their new responsibility to save for themselves and figure out appropriate investing strategies. Young workers and the lower paid employees are at the highest risk of inadequate self-management of their primary retirement savings. Let’s see, decimate the Social Security system, Medicare, and now promote shifting the financial burden and responsibility to the workers.   The chasm grows bigger. Middle class America will continue to see a dramatic shift towards the lower middle class, or is that the upper lower class? It has been said that the children of today will not experience the same level of financial stability as the adults of today. At this rate it will come to pass.

Count your blessings if you do not face such a future for your golden years. Our golden years are only a shattered dream, and not likely to be restful and rewarding.  Things do not always turn out the way you plan. Many more families are going through unexpected and unforseen financial changes,   We will still be working, trying to pay the bills and rebuilding our dreams.  I fear that we will see our lives cut shorter because of health issues that will likely be compromised with the additional stress and skimping on proper nutrition and healthcare.to make sure that the lights stay on. Never before had I considered the possibility that we would be looking to our grown children for monetary assistance and maybe living arrangements.

My parents are still independent and currently able to visit their many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, though driving has become more short range. They live modestly on state employees pensions (neither had many years in the system) and Social Security (again, not much because their income was very modest during their earning years). Mom worked at the DMV and Dad was at IDOT, spraying weeds in the summer and plowing snow during the winter. It should soon be OUR turn to take care of them as they grow older and most certainly if one of them should survive the other for many years. When the household income gets cut in half (or more) there is not enough income to pay the apartment rent, car insurance, food, health insurance, drugs, got the idea? How do we take care of our parents when it has become so challenging to take care of ourselves. Other siblings are in far less financial stability. It was always our hope to be able to assist those in our large family who may fall on hard times or suffer life-changing events. We keep in our prayers the less fortunate, especially those who have experienced incredible losses. We help where we can and always wish that we could do more.

BTW, during future elections… IT’S ONE VOTE, ONE PERSON! Big Business can’t vote, just throw more $$$ at the media (wonder if the shareholders know how much?) And the wealthy? Well, you do the math, they would sure like to convince you that they have the solution and are most willing to put big money behind it. The Koch brothers come to mind…

Already the pendulum is swinging back from the 2010 election results. Wisconsin? We are just getting warmed up! 2012 will see the response to the bullying tactics taking place in Illinois, our sister states and on a national level.
2010 in Illinois, hmmm, how many votes?

Oh YES WE CAN! AND WE WILL AGAIN. IN FACT, WE CAN HARDLY WAIT!
Check the facts! You may find out that someone has been lacing your “tea”.

Comment on Action Alert – Call Today – Support SB 512- Illinois Pension Reform Bill – May 2011 by OttotheScourge

OttotheScourge — Sun, 29 May 2011 23:01:00 +0000

T(he) E(lderly) A(ction) Party.

Comment on Action Alert – Call Today – Support SB 512- Illinois Pension Reform Bill – May 2011 by Joe_P

Joe_P — Sun, 29 May 2011 20:20:00 +0000

Shift all the costs to the workers? With NO
increase in pension funding? I have a few questions. What kind of people are
funding the lobbyists and the media campaigns that paint public employees as
undeserving and Unions as the bad guys? In Illinois, they are the kind of
people who have $20+ million dollar incomes and $20 million dollar retirement
packages. With Corporate after tax profits at an a time high and Warren Buffet
himself asking why his tax rate is lower than the tax rate paid by his
secretary or maid, I think we need to be asking a lot more questions……..So
Let’s get started!

What are their goals?

The short term goal is to get the citizens
to ask; Why should public employees or Union workers have any pension at all?!?

Persuading the citizens to ask this question
turns the middle class against itself. Divide and conquer, not exactly a new
tactic…..

If this media influence did not exist, I
believe the citizens would be asking; Why can’t we all have a pension? Before
you laugh at that question, there are well managed and well funded pension
plans out there (99% funded, solid for over 50 years!). If you are interested,
E-mail me for more info (jpijanowski@iam126.com).

There is a fundamental difference in these
two questions…..

The first question (Why should they have a
pension?) divides and weakens us, as we tear each other down.

The second question (Why can’t we all have a
pension?) unites us and strengthens us as we work together. (The lobbyists DO
NOT want this to happen).

Their ultimate goal……. With after tax
Corporate profits at an all time high and $20+ million dollar incomes and $20
million dollar retirement packages all they could want is more. Instead of
raising taxes on those that can afford it, they want the middle class pick up the bill. They know
exactly how to get more and how to keep it. For chump change, a media campaign
and some double talk, they can divide us so they can stick us with the
bills…….it is a well known corporate strategy called “externalizing”. That is,
make someone else pay your bills to increase your profits and bonuses. GE made
$14.2 Billion and paid no taxes. Teams of lobbyists and accountants make sure
they pay no taxes by “externalizing”. The top 5 oil companies made 36 Billion
in the first 3 months of this year. Their lobbyists made sure that congress did
not take away the taxpayer funded subsidies they get (because that would be
un-American). They do not want to lose the existing “externalization”.

“The result of NOT participating in politics
is that you end up being governed by those who are only interested in
conducting public affairs for corporate advantage” JMP Sounds like it is time for us to start paying
attention and….participate!

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Illinois House and Illinois Senate District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Illinois Redistricting - Gerrymandering 101 | Cook County Tea Party

Illinois Redistricting - Gerrymandering 101 | Cook County Tea Party — Sun, 29 May 2011 14:19:36 +0000

[...] Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Illinois House and Illinois Senate District Map Boundaries – M… Posted in Illinois Redistricting | Tags: Cook County Tea Party Blog, Illinois Gerrymandering, Illinois Redistricting /* [...]

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Illinois Redistricting - Gerrymandering 101 | Cook County Tea Party

Illinois Redistricting - Gerrymandering 101 | Cook County Tea Party — Sun, 29 May 2011 14:18:24 +0000

[...] Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 [...]

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Ron Brzoska

Ron Brzoska — Sun, 29 May 2011 04:42:00 +0000

It’s obvious that the map has nothing to do with the citizens. This is completely a Democrat power grab. Has Illinois hit rock bottom yet?

Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Illinois House and Illinois Senate District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Illinois Redistricting - Proposed Congressional Map Boundaries - May 2011 | Cook County Tea Party

Sun, 29 May 2011 03:28:28 +0000

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Comment on Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional District Map Boundaries – May 2011 by Illinois Redistricting - Proposed Illinois House and Illinois Senate District Map Boundaries - May 2011 | Cook County Tea Party

Sun, 29 May 2011 03:23:52 +0000

[...] Contact Us « Illinois Redistricting – Proposed Congressional Map Boundaries – May 2011 [...]

Comment on Call to Action – Illinois Pension Reform – A quick and easy way to ask Illinois Lawmakers to Take Meaningful Action – May 2011 by russ horn dupage tea party

russ horn dupage tea party — Tue, 10 May 2011 03:50:17 +0000

i think we should maintain the status que i.e. continue to underfund the pension funds.this will eventually lead to
the funds running out of money and cause greatly reduced payouts of these outrageous pensions.

russ horn
dupage tea party

Comment on The Patent Bill Pending in the US Congress is Unconstitutional by Cook County Illinois Tea Party

Cook County Illinois Tea Party — Mon, 09 May 2011 23:09:34 +0000

Hi Ron,
Good to hear from you. All the black text should have a white background. What browser are you using?

Laurie Hellmer

Comment on The Patent Bill Pending in the US Congress is Unconstitutional by Ron

Ron — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:58:52 +0000

I love the site, just 1 thing, with the dark blue background it is very hard for some to see the black print.

Comment on Right to Carry Bill – Illinois HB148 – Falls Only 3 Short of 71 Required Votes by Cook County Illinois Tea Party

Cook County Illinois Tea Party — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:53:06 +0000

Hi Forrest, Check out the other post. Patti Bellock was a yes vote. http://www.cookcountyteaparty.com/second-amendment/how-did-your-representative-vote-on-hb148-family-and-personal-protection-act-illinois-concealed-carry/ Laurie Hellmer Cook County Tea Party

Comment on Right to Carry Bill – Illinois HB148 – Falls Only 3 Short of 71 Required Votes by Forrest Mann

Forrest Mann — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:38:48 +0000

How did Patti Bellock (Dupage) vote?

Comment on Illinois Republicans have a big decision to make, and soon by Doug Ibendahl

Doug Ibendahl — Sun, 08 May 2011 18:11:29 +0000

Loren, I think you’re missing the big picture.

We need change in the IL GOP at the top and bottom. No one is more about recruiting good precinct, ward, and township committeemen than I. That’s why I founded the Republican Precinct Project: http://republicannewswatch.com/wp/?p=755 I’ve worked on and assisted new people for party office for years.

But direct elections for the top is about helping to create an environment that will make it easier to recruit good people for the right reasons at the bottom.

Also, your comment about “insiders” makes no sense. That’s 100% what we have now at the top on the SCC. Direct elections at least opens the door for real leaders to get on that top committee, for the right reasons. You’re also ignoring accountability. No matter who gets on – direct elections makes them better because for the first time in over 20 years SCC members will have to listen to Republican voters.

You also seem to be suggesting that people run for the lower posts for the purpose of choosing the top people. That’s the big problem with our current system. The power to pick the SCC is NOT the reason to run for pc or ward committeemen. You’re missing a huge point.

Loren, what you’re talking about is a marginal, unsatisfactory solution. It won’t get the job done. I’ve been hearing identical rhetoric for 15 years. Yet in 2010, 51% of the precincts were vacant statewide. And Chicago is the biggest mess ever. You’re completely missing the harm that’s done at the top to the enviornment and the incentive structure.

I’m sure you mean well, but it sounds like your’re brand new. I think you need to get up to speed on our party’s history an how the current system works and its major problems.

I also sense there are a few tea partiers out there (hopefully very few) who were never involved before, but now they appear on the scene, look at the rigged system in the IL GOP, and they start thinking, “hey, I can see how I can use this system so I’LL be the one in charge.”

Just for the record, I have no desire to replace old selfish faces with new selfish faces.

In my view, no one who is against restoring direct elections – the same right we used to have and the same right the Dems still have – should be “tea party” or “patriot” or whatever. Makes no sense to me.

Comment on Illinois Republicans have a big decision to make, and soon by Loren Heal

Loren Heal — Sat, 07 May 2011 19:22:01 +0000

Doug,

I believe you have identified the problem correctly, but elections for Selectman are not the right solution. Do you think for an instant that anybody but the insiders would win popular elections for Selectman? No — since the corruption is in place now, it will continue with a return to popular elections.

There is another option. We can use the system in place to reverse the process. We start by recruiting tea party and other constitutional conservatives into precinct committeeman and ward positions. Run our own candidates in those positions and GOTV.

It won’t happen overnight. It may take 20 years. But we have the Internet, and we have sloppy cardboard sluggards to run against. They were selected precisely because they were sloppy cardboard sluggards.

Comment on Guest Commentary: Trump for President by Grant

Grant — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:20:38 +0000

Bill,
Winning elections is the last thing in the world that is important if the people who win the elections for “your team” are anti-freedom big government imbeciles like the Democrat Trump. (Who you seem to delusionally feel is a Republican much less a Tea party person) I also have no interest whatsoever in toning it down. I don’t “tone it down” when addressing Barack Obama and I have no interest in “toning it down” concerning Donald Trump.
Big government advocates like Trump, (you don’t seem to mind him not toning it down while he drops F-bombs and calls the Chinese M-th-r F–kers and is embarrassed by Obama for being a birther) who advocates our country taking the oil fields of other countries, is not a serious person running for the nomination of the Republican party. I have no RESPECT for nonsense like this while our country is about to go into default. Other than that Bill, I have nothing to say.

Except that I wrote an opinion piece recently at the blog, http://whatwethinkandwhy.blogspot.com where you can read more about the wonderboy Trump the Democrat, if you feel so led. If not, no problem.

Comment on May 2011 is Pension Reform Month in Illinois – Here is the Video that Brings you up to Speed on The Pension Reform Issue by Larry Tidrick

Larry Tidrick — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:22:51 +0000

1. While I don’t see much difference between the Dems and the Republicans, Mr. Trump was a registered Democrat until 2009;
2. yes, he would “stand up” to Obama and create “excitement”, but, where’s the excitement for the US Constitution & individual liberty?
3. Ike was also a registered Democrat before he ran for President – and Reagan also was a Democrat many years before.

If you really want limited government, decreased regulation, maximum individual liberty (all in the Declaration of Independence & Constitution), and a return to the powers provided in Art. 1, Sect. 8 for the Legislature, then you sure don’t want anyone except Gary Johnson & Ron Paul. All of the rest are merely “Democrat Lite”. About 80% of what the Government does today is unconstitutional. Question: don’t all of you know this??

We need an educated public. That will result in educated, constitutional politicians.

Each of us have a job to do: learn the US Constitution and Declar. of Indep. & teach it to others.

Comment on Guest Commentary: Trump for President by Bill Montgomery

Bill Montgomery — Tue, 03 May 2011 06:34:44 +0000

Grant,
I am quite sane, and for that matter so is Donald Trump. I respect peoples views and ideas, but I find it hard to respect yours! Even though I do not totally agree with Amanda, I think she voiced her opinions very well. If we are to WIN elections we need to keep open minds and RESPECT our fellow members. Try to tone it down and discuss rather than insult! Bill Montgomery

Comment on Guest Commentary: Trump for President by Cook County Illinois Tea Party

Cook County Illinois Tea Party — Tue, 03 May 2011 02:10:08 +0000

Grant, Thanks for your comment. You are invited to write a post of 200-600 word for the Cook County tea party blog, about your feelings about Trump, or any other topic. Laurie – CookCountyTeaParty@gmail.com

Comment on Guest Commentary: Trump for President by Cook County Illinois Tea Party

Cook County Illinois Tea Party — Tue, 03 May 2011 02:09:46 +0000

Amanda, Thanks for your comment. You are invited to write a post of 200-600 word for the Cook County tea party blog, about your feeling about Trump, or any other topic. Laurie – CookCountyTeaParty@gmail.com