RFFM.ORG

RFFM.org Endorsements for Feb. 2, 2010 IL GOP Primary

These endorsements may not matter to those of you who live outside of Illinois, but perhaps you have friends and loved ones who live in this state, who might be interested.

 

RFFM.org was originally not going to endorse any candidates.  However, RFFM.org will make some endorsements due to the influence of the Republican establishment, the Combine and millionaires whose goals may not be in the best interest of Illinois citizens and Republican voters.

 

I was born in Chicago.  I lived there for fifty plus years and now reside in central Illinois.  I fully recognize how the power brokers north of I-80 believe they have the right to control the state.  I also understand the political animus many Illinois residents feel towards the north of I-80 coalition.  I will always consider myself a Chicagoan, but I understand why those of us who reside in the rest of the state are viewed as second-class citizens.

 

The following endorsements result from nearly twenty years of studying Illinois politics.  I personally know many of the candidates I am endorsing.

 

U.S. SENATE

 

Anybody, but Mark Kirk!

 

GOVERNOR

 

RFFM.org co-endorses (in alphabetical order) Adam Andrzejewski and state Sen. Bill Brady.  I think both men can be trusted to support both the pro-family political agenda and be fiscally responsible.

 

Out of the six candidates running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, Adam Andrzejewski has never been under the influence of the GOP establishment and, subsequently, the Combine.  I do not know him personally, but I have communicated closely with his staff.  Andrzejewski submitted an essay to RFFM.org regarding his pro-life position: http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/10/adam-andrzejewski-for-governor-why-i-am-prolife-in-his-own-words.html.

 

I know Bill Brady personally.  I live a few blocks from his Senate District.  His constituents are served well in the Illinois Senate.  Brady is pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-Second Amendment and voted against the expansion of gambling in Illinois.  A can't lose choice.

 

LT. GOVERNOR

 

Some of you may think the office of Lt. Governor is not important.  However, if you look back in recent Illinois history, many Lt. Governors became Governor due to the "problems" which faced individuals like Rod Blagojevich, George Ryan, Dan Walker, etc.  RFFM.org endorses Don Tracy for the GOP nomination for Lt. Governor.  Tracy has over 30 years of experience helping to run a successful family business which employs over 3,500 people.  A central Illinois resident, Tracy is also a lawyer who believes in the rights of the innocent unborn, traditional marriage and the Second Amendment.  He submitted an essay to RFFM.org regarding his pro-life position: http://www.rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/10/don-tracy-for-lt-governor-why-i-am-prolife-in-his-own-words-.html

 

COMPTROLLER

 

RFFM.org endorses Jim Dodge, an Orland Park Village Trustee, who gets it.  He's serious, level-headed and would be responsible handling Illinois taxpayer's money.  In contrast, his opponents, should either make a political career out of marching in the obscene Chicago "gay" pride parade or make more YouTube videos available where they are drunk and acting like fools.  Also, Dodge's opponents' connections with the Martin Janis & Associates pr firm is troubling.  Follow the money.

 

STATE SENATE 25th District--Aurora

 

RFFM.org endorses state Sen. Chris Lauzen for reelection.  Lauzen, who has represented his district well since 1992, has paid the price.  He is a target of the Combine and the Republican establishment, yet Lauzen is still alive and kicking.  Pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, pro-traditional marriage and a strong fiscal conservative...you can't beat that.  We need more good conservatives like Chris Lauzen running for office.

 

STATE SENATE 22nd District--Elgin

 

RFFM.org endorses former state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger who is again seeking the GOP nomination to reclaim his former seat in the Illinois General Assembly.  I've known Rauschenberger since I became a pro-family activist over 17 years ago.  He is a man of integrity, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment rights and a strong fiscal conservative.  We need him back in the Illinois Senate.

 

REPUBLICAN PRECINCT COMMITTEEMAN--LOGAN COUNTY--WEST LINCOLN 4

 

RFFM.org is endorsing its Executive Director, Daniel T. Zanoza, who is running unopposed.  Folks, if I lose this one, there are big problems down here in Logan County:)

RFFM.org's Dan Zanoza Discusses Obama's "Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan" on Dr. Laurie Roth Show

RFFM.org's Executive Director, Dan Zanoza, will be a guest on the Dr. Laurie Roth Show [www.therothshow.com] on February 1, 2010 between 6 and 7 P.M. Central time. 

Zanoza will be discussing the Obama administration's "Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan" which may be actually luring U.S. homeowners into default or foreclosure.  Zanoza first broke the story as a contract writer for the Illinois Family Institute http://www.illinoisfamily.org/news/contentview.asp?c=34682.

Joining Dr. Roth and Zanoza will be a homeowner from central Illinois who is experiencing the nightmare brought upon her family through the reckless use of taxpayer stimulus money.

Broadcast out of Washington state on the IRN-USA Radio Network, Roth's radio talk show is nationally syndicated and "is on a mission to examine the issues based on right and wrong, not party politics."

To listen in, go to: http://www.irnusanews.com/ on left hand side of page, Broadcasting now, Channel 3, Roth Show and click on "Tune in now". 

Listeners can call in to the show by dialing 1-877-999-7684.

John Arrington, Illinois Republican for U.S. Senate: WHY I AM PRO-FAMILY: In His Own Words

EDITOR'S NOTE:  This is the final installment in a series titled "In Their Own Words".  The series is for informational purposes only and is not an endorsement of any particular candidate.  RFFM.org would like to thank those who participated.  Some candidates promised to submit personal essays and did not, while others refused to participate. 

 

RFFM.org is a pro-family website/blog, subsequently, liberal candidates like Mark Kirk were not invited to share their opinions.  RFFM.org also believes money and influence should not determine a candidate's viability.  There are good people running for political office who do not have the personal resources to match those campaigns that are backed by millionaires and/or special interest groups.  Power politics has hurt America, not served it.  It's God, then country.  RFFM.org will stand by this mandate and continue to serve its readers with information that some would like to have supressed.

 

RFFM.ORG EXCLUSIVE

 

OP-ED by John Arrington

 

If marriage between two men is justified, then wouldn't a union between three women be even better? Or maybe two men and a woman, or... my point is, when would it stop? As a father of four children, a husband to my wife Joy for 20 years, and having the privilege of being the son to parents who have been married 55 years with nine children, marriage is of critical importance to me.  Not just any marriage, but the marriage union that God ordained, between one man and one woman.  Yes I said it, this is what God ordained, what our founding fathers based our nation on, and built the solid foundation for nation.   Marriage is the foundation of our nation, this is why our nation has increased in population, because of marriage, and relationships between men and women.  History has shown us, that when we take alternate routes around traditional marriage, the results aren't good from Rome to modern day cultures.  I will do everything in my power to protect the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman, and do everything I can to bring the marriage amendment to the forefront of our nations attention.   In addition to the sacredness of marriage, our children must be protected, from conception to the grave.  I will never allow the life of the unborn to be looked at as pregnancy tissue to be discarded as trash or refuse.  Life is to be protected at all costs, and abortion takes a real life, a beating heart, a breathing living human being.  Federal funds, state funds, no funds should ever be used to support taking the life of an innocent human being.  At a time when America needs more genius, intellect, imagination, character, and innovation, we are literally pouring it down the drain through abortion in America.  No where is this felt more acutely than in the black community which needs it most, where almost 1,500 babies are aborted everyday in which can only be described as a silent genocide.  Every year I take over one hundred young African American and Hispanic youth to the pro-life pro-family conferences to become intimately involved in the movement to reclaim the values of our greatness, and address a group that needs it most.  The cornerstone of our civilization is the treatment of our youth, and we cannot allow our nation to dehumanize our youth, and innocent babies.    Lastly, prayer and the Bible has been taken out of our schools, our constitution is being side stepped in government, and God has been taken out of the pubic square.  While our founding fathers never intended for a national religion, they never intended for God to be removed from the public square as America is still a Christian nation.  Parents should always be the primary instructors of our youth, and if God is not a part of education, parents should have the choice of the educational environment for their children.  My wife and I home schooled last year and I fully support options that give parents control over the curriculum of their child to teach in a manner that coincides with their values, and the values our founding fathers intended.   John Arrington, Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate  www.arringtonforsenate.com [email protected] Call: (708) 932-8559   **************************** Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact: [email protected]    NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.

Bill O'Reilly's Culture Warriors Support Homosexuals In the Military: FOX News Tacking To The Left?

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director  

 

As expected, during his first State of the Union address, Barack Obama called for the lifting of the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy which would allow homosexuals to openly serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.  The only problem for Obama and the far left wing of the Democratic Party is this would take an act of Congress because the Uniform Code of Military Justice would have to be twisted to allow Obama's plan to be implemented.

 

Most members of the U.S. Armed Forces, especially those in command positions, recognize that homosexuals openly serving in the military would have a negative impact on morale, esprit de corps and, subsequently, combat readiness.

 

Amazingly, those who participated in a segment Bill O'Reilly (FOX News Channel's O'Reilly Factor) refers to as "The Culture Warriors" made clear they agreed with Obama's proposal to rescind "Don't ask, don't tell" (DADT).  The segment usually includes pro-family conservative Gretchen Carlson who tackles issues from a conservative perspective in contrast to Margaret Hoover who argues the liberal point of view concerning political and social issues.

 

But on Thursday, January 28th, FOX business anchor Cheryl Casone (who stepped in for Carlson) and FOX News analyst Margaret Hoover both agreed America was ready to have homosexuals openly serve in defense of our nation [Transcript available at:  http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100007214&docId=l:1117180563&isRss=true ].  It was a shocker for me to hear this on FOX News--the "fair and balanced" network.  Even O'Reilly fed into the liberal line which suggested it was time for this social experiment to take place.  It has become all too evident the network seems to be leaning to the left, in order to appease and attract more liberal viewers.  FOX would not want to offend this new demographic which has helped the FOX News Channel's ratings go through the roof.

 

Mr. O'Reilly, the purpose of the United States Armed Forces is to defend America.  It is not a place for social experiments or political correctness.  Indeed, the  Constitution does not apply in many cases to the U.S. military and FOX News should not be advocating Barack Obama's far left policies.

 

Unfortunately, the tact to the left is evident, especially on O'Reilly's highly popular primetime program.  But, as I wrote in a related column, FNC also seems to have a penchant for supporting moderate Republican candidates.  This was made clear in 2008 when Sean Hannity seemed to be shilling for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and eventual GOP presidential nominee John McCain.  At the same time, Hannity took every opportunity to ignore the highly effective and energized grassroots campaigns of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.  Is FOX News becoming MSNBC Light?  You  certainly couldn't tell what network you were watching on Thursday evening during the Culture Warriors segment.  Very sad.

 

Related articles:

 

Hey FOX News, Mark Kirk Ain't No Scott Brown! http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/hey-fox-news-mark-kirk-aint-no-scott-brown-.html posted Jan. 27, 2010

 

Obama: Gays in the Military: Top of Presidential Agenda http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/10/obama-gays-in-the-military-top-of-presidential-agenda.html  posted October 24, 2008

 

 

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Hey FOX News, Mark Kirk Ain't No Scott Brown!

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

 

On Monday, January 25th, Special Report on the FOX News Channel ran a story reported by Steve Brown.  The piece was extensive by network news standards.  Brown's analogy of Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts to what's going on in the U.S. Senate race in Illinois ran for roughly two minutes and forty seconds.  That's a huge piece in journalistic standards, especially when FOX's Special Report is a one-hour program.  If you take out time for commercials and the two panel discussions which take place at the end of the broadcast, this leaves little time for the presentation of hard news which Special Report falls into.

 

The FOX News journalist suggested U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-10th-IL) may be the recipient of a ground swell of grass roots support in Illinois in his bid to secure the nomination in the GOP's U.S. Senate primary and in the general election in November.  Wrong!  That ain't gonna happen.  A Massachusetts-type Scott Brown victory is not going to take place in Illinois.  If FOX had done their homework regarding Kirk--which obviously they did not--they would realize the political climate in Illinois regarding Kirk's candidacy is toxic.

 

Here are some facts about Kirk.  He is a pro-partial birth abortion supporting, anti-gun voting, homosexual rights supporting, Cap and Trade voting, opponent to traditional marriage candidate.  Kirk makes Scott Brown look like a candidate hand picked by the John Birch Society.  The truth is Kirk is being forced to spend some of his huge campaign war chest to fend off pro-family candidates in Illinois--many of whom have little money.  They are, in alphabetical order:  John Arrington, Patrick J. Hughes, Donald "Don" Lowery, Andy Martin and Kathleen Thomas.  If Kirk happens to win the GOP primary, these people will not storm the barricades in their support of Kirk against his Democratic opponent in November--no matter who that may be.  In fact, there is a likely possibility, if nominated, Kirk's opposition in the general election would be better on the social issues than Kirk.

 

It is certain the establishment media in Illinois is backing Kirk--for now.  You see, if Kirk wins the Republican Party primary on February 2nd, this same media would attack him relentlessly, even though he embraces many of their values.  What would be stealthfully addressed by the left-leaning press and his Democratic opponent?  I'm sure the first subject they would tackle would involve questions regarding Kirk's possible closeted homosexuality.  Sure, I know, Kirk gave some sort of flimsy denial to the Associated Press, but if anyone thinks this issue has been swept under the rug, think again.  And then there's Kirk's close relationship with his former Republican colleague Mark Foley (FL) who resigned from the House of Representatives in disgrace due to his penchant for seeking out relationships with underaged male Capitol pages.  Kirk had to know what was going on and did nothing to expose a pedophile who was slithering through the halls of Congress.

 

But here's one more interesting tidbit.  Kirk obviously believed the primary race would simply be a walk in the park.  However, on Tuesday (Jan. 26th), Kirk conducted what had to be a highly expensive teleconference with likely Republican voters from central Illinois.  Participants were allowed to ask uncensored questions, including queries about Kirk's vote for Cap and Trade and his subsequent flip flop on this issue when he was criticized after being handpicked by the state and national GOP establishment to make a run for the U.S. Senate.  Some national leaders, including Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, later backed off from their early endorsement of Kirk.  This teleconference had to cost a mint.  The operative question is why did the Kirk campaign feel the need to keep spending precious cash in the run up to the Illinois primary?

 

By the way, Kirk conducted a poll during the teleconference and revealed the results to those listening in.  Near the end of the call, Kirk asked if those on the line would vote for him.  However, he did not release those results.  Hmmm.

 

Kirk is also running ads across the state where he touts his phony military missions OVER Kosovo, Iraq and in Afghanistan.  Do they have a Club Med in Afghanistan?  It is impossible to believe Kirk, as a sitting Congressman, was ever in harm's way during any of these so-called missions to defend America from its enemies.

 

Roger Ailes, FOX's CEO, needs to make sure his network is not advancing a moderate-style Republican political agenda.  But FOX News did it before when they tried to shove former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney down the throats of conservatives.  After the Romney campaign fizzled, FOX jumped on the McCain bandwagon and poof!  Barack Obama is President of the United States and our country is in the greatest jeopardy since the Civil War because of Obama's policies.

 

Cut the bull, FOX.  Let's try to stick with the fair and balanced thing.  I hope you remember this phrase because it is your motto, isn't it?

 

NOTE TO STEVE BROWN:  Do better homework in the future. 

 

 

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Part 2: Chris Lauzen for Illinois State Senate: How The Combine Targets Good Legislators

Has Pro-Family Movement Succumbed To "The Money Changers"?  Has Movement Become What It Fought Against? by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

EDITOR'S NOTE:  In the first part of this series [http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/part-1-has-profamily-movement-succumbed-to-the-money-changers-has-movement-become-what-it-fought-aga.html] I referred to something called the Combine and attempted to describe what it is.  The following column details the Combine's mission.  Even if you don't live in Illinois, this story may be applicable in your state.  The Combine is mostly dominated by so-called moderate Republicans.  In actuality, many of these moderates are stone-cold liberals masquerading under the Republican banner who are in league with the Daley Democratic Machine.  When the Combine says jump, Republicans and Democrats must do so or reap the political whirlwind.  The following piece is about why the Combine--which includes the Republican establishment--has targeted state Senator Chris Lauzen (R- 25th-Aurora).

 

Illinois state Senator Chris Lauzen was first elected to office in 1992.  Lauzen is a steadfast pro-family conservative.

 

There are very few people I have had experience with in the world of politics who seem to be incorruptible and Lauzen is one.  Lauzen has helped carry the water for the pro-life movement.  He has a strong record of supporting Second Amendment rights and he is a staunch defender of traditional marriage.

 

Lauzen is also a fiscal conservative.  He has an MBA from Harvard and he understands that big government and high taxation has played a significant role in the demise of our nation's economy and culture.

 

Lauzen sounds like a perfect legislator as a Republican.  His positions support the state and national GOP platforms.  However, there are strong forces within the Illinois Republican Party establishment who would like to see Lauzen go away.  They have tried to defeat him or gave him little, if any, help when he ran for state office.  This evil coalition encouraged someone to run against him when he ran for federal office as well.  But why?

 

The Combine--which includes the GOP establishment led by state Chairman Pat Brady--considers Lauzen a renegade.  Lauzen doesn't play by the rules that have been handed down to him from political Valhalla.  I'm sure Sen. Lauzen bucked the establishment far before the following incident, but what I am about to relate put him directly in the cross hairs of the Combine and he has not been out of their political bulls-eye ever since.

 

How Lauzen Drew Combine's Wrath

 

Illinois once had a Republican Governor named George Ryan.  This man gained national notoriety because of his fight against the death penalty and his participation in widespread corruption.  In fact, Ryan is still sitting in a federal prison as a result of his crimes.

 

One of then-Governor Ryan's pet projects was an extensive repair of the Illinois Highway System called "Illinois FIRST."  FIRST was an acronym for "Fund for Infrastructure, Roads, Schools and Transit."  Signed into law in May 1999, the law created a $6.3 billion package for use in school and transportation projects [http://www.ncbg.org/public_works/illfirst.htm].  But, in actuality, Illinois FIRST was a highly technical and stealthfully written piece of legislation that would have increased taxes, raised fees and allocated taxpayer money to projects which had nothing to do with the state's highway infrastructure.

 

Lauzen quickly caught on as to what Ryan was trying to jam down the throats of Illinois legislators.  Indeed, during one session of the Illinois General Assembly, Lauzen was the only legislator to stand up and denounce Illinois FIRST as a bad bill which he would not support as it was written.  Hence, ever since, Lauzen has become a marked man.

 

Was Lauzen's description of Illinois FIRST accurate?  Yes, but that didn't matter.  He was clearly bucking the system and Lauzen had to pay for it in some way.

 

SB600

 

In 2005, Chris Lauzen was one of the primary sponsors of a bill titled SB600.  The legislation called for the direct election of the Republican Party State Central Committee.  This is a mechanism that the Illinois Democratic Party already has in place.  But, to say the least, the Republican establishment's reaction to SB600 is visceral.  In essence, SB600 would let Republican voters decide who should make up the GOP's State Central Committee.  But this would take power out of the hands of the GOP establishment and, subsequently, the Combine which divvies up the state of Illinois like a large Chicago-style pizza.

 

If Lauzen wasn't in the cross hairs of Party bosses before SB600, he was now in their bulls-eye.

 

Watch for PART 3:  How the Combine Attacks

 

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Andy Martin Illinois Republican for U.S. Senator: WHY I AM PRO-LIFE: In His Own Words

 

RFFM.ORG EXCLUSIVE

 

OP-ED by Andy Martin

 

Although the abortion end of the pro-life controversy justifiably generates the most attention, the fastest growing population in America is not babies. It is senior citizens. Pro-life issues at the end of life are as critical as those at conception.

Last summer Governor Sarah Palin generated liberal media controversy by creating the term “death panels” to describe Barack Obama’s “health reform” proposal to direct doctors to become involved in estate planning. While the terms “death panel” was not used anywhere in the statute, the obvious implication of being told by your own doctor to “get your affairs in order,” at the direction of the federal government, was that someone was prepared to “pull the plug.”

We may not have yet reached the dramatic dimensions of the movie “Soylent Green,” but we are not far removed either.

The pro-life implications of death were vividly reinforced during the past few months when I lost a close friend. He had been given a “death sentence” several years ago, and managed to prolong physical deterioration. Over the summer, my friend developed paralysis. But instead of saying, as they would have under ObamaCare, “Well, that’s enough,” his doctors performed surgery and restored movement.

As the end appeared, there was no effort to spare care. I learned of the new approach to hospice care: in-home hospice treatment. Throughout my friend’s final days the medical staff was focused on treatment, not death.

No one during my friend’s treatment used the term “pro-life.” But when you juxtapose our existing medical system with Obama’s plans to limit or cut off care to imperiled individuals, we have a growing pro-life crisis. The existing treatment protocol for senior citizens is “pro-life.” Obama wants to reverse that bias.

If we cheapen treatment at the end of life, inevitably we will also cheapen the origins of life.

Today, most of the energy in the pro-life movement is concentrated on the issue of abortion. I believe we also need a senator who is focused on the end of life. The pro-life challenge we face now is how we treat persons who are already alive but may be as helpless as the unborn in their ability to communicate their needs and desires.

Today Illinois conservative voters face a crisis of confidence. Most pro-life organizations have “endorsed” one of my opponents. Directly or indirectly, my opponent purchased this support for cold, hard cash. But this candidate has no pro-life credentials and, indeed, no public record of any sort prior to mid-2009. His sole claim to being a “conservative” is reading off a list of talking points and claiming to be a “Reagan conservative.” Ronald Reagan had an extensive public record when he ran for office. He did not appear out of nowhere.

This candidate (my opponent) has also refused to address other issues important to social conservatives. He says discussion of these questions is beneath him.

Would you trust that kind of stealth candidate with your life? Very doubtful. And yet so-called social conservatives are afraid to speak out and admit they made a mistake. There is a climate of fear on the right, again motivated by thirty pieces of silver. Is it any surprise that liberal Republicans and homosexual activists such as John McGovern control the Illinois Republican Party? There is no doubt where they stand.

My commitment to life, my commitment to the values which are central to the Roman Catholic faith (I am an Episcopalian) and my commitment to preserving life at both ends of our existence are not in doubt.

Contact Andy Martin
30 E. Huron Street, Suite 4406
Chicago, IL60611-4723
(866) 706-2639
www.AndyforUSSenator.com
[email protected]

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Social Security COLA: Congress Gets Pay Raise, Seniors & Others Did Not

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

 

I'm sure many senior citizens, handicapped and those who are temporarily disabled noticed their Social Security check did not include a Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2010.  In fact, it is possible Social Security recipients will not receive a COLA for up to three years, according to reports out of Washington, D.C.

 

This is the first year a COLA increase has not been afforded to Social Security recipients for over 30 years.

 

For those of you who have parents or grandparents who were surprised to learn they will have to live on the same amount of money per month in 2010 that they did in 2009, they shouldn't have been.  The Social Security Administration announced last year there would be no cost of living adjustment in 2010.

 

All Social Security recipients receive a statement of benefits in late December every year.  This is the information regarding this year's benefits which was sent to all recipients.

 

"By law, Social Security benefits increase automatically to keep pace with inflation.  when there is no period of inflation, the law does not permit an increase in benefits.  Based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by the Department of Labor, there was no rise in the cost of living during the past year, so your benefit will remain the same in 2010.  The CPI is the federal government's official measure to calculate cost-of-living increases."

 

The first thing that comes to my mind is:  How can the Dept. of Labor predict whether inflation will impact our economy three years into the future?  It is a ridiculous premise.  But there will be those who will defend the Consumer Price Index as factual.  The truth of the matter is, President Barack Obama, to offset his historical spending of tax dollars, has decided to take it out on the middle-class and poor.

 

There has been inflation during the last year.  Everyone is experiencing this at the gas pump, many seniors who live in assisted living facilities have their rent go up every year, many other seniors live in manufactured homes where lot rentals go up every year, property taxes frequently go up, home heating costs are rising, grocery prices have gone threw the roof, etc., etc.

 

The formula the Dept. of Labor uses must be a type of new math.  It's absurd.  Indeed, if Obama's political agenda--which includes the passage of Cap and Trade, comprehensive immigration reform and card check--would be passed by Congress and signed into law, many economists believe America will spiral into hyperinflation.

 

From the beginning of his administration, it is clear Obama has targeted senior citizens.  The recent health care reform bill--which was an eyelash away from being passed into law--included a $500 billion hit on Social Security.  Yes, Mr. Obama promised seniors and others who have put money into the Social Security system for many years a paltry, one-time only $250 payment.  But even this pledge seems to have been forgotten.  Yet hundreds of millions of dollars in stimulus money has gone to museums and other pork projects, mostly targeted for districts that voted Democratic in the 2008 election.  This is a tragic farce.

 

However, members of Congress did receive a pay increase in 2009 and they will again in 2010.  How come Congress received a pay raise?  They voted themselves one.

 

You see, it appears Obama and many members of Congress have adopted Margaret Sanger's philosophy which states "more from the fit and less from the unfit".  For those of you who are not familiar with Sanger, in the early 20th century, she founded Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider.  Sanger also liked the idea of eugenics which was twisted into what became Hitler's Final solution.  Senior citizens, the mentally and physically handicapped and those who are temporarily disabled would certainly fit into this category, wouldn't they?

 

So, it appears those who receive Social Security don't count in Obama's political playbook, but they should.  Seniors make up a huge voting bloc.  They have mostly voted Democratic in recent years.  However, as in current trends, this, too, will change.

 

What I find interesting is the Democratic Party seems hell bent on committing political suicide.  And that's just fine with me.

 

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Kelly Receives Endorsement of Family PAC Federal? It's An Embarrassment!

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

 

I recently learned Family PAC Federal endorsed Republican candidate for Illinois state Comptroller William J. Kelly http://www.family-pac.com/?page=sc.  I find this amazing!  Does Paul Caprio, the Director of Family PAC, properly vet the people his organization endorses?  I guess not.

 

Here's a little refresher for those of you who are not familiar with Mr. Kelly.  I first learned of him when he came down to visit the Springfield, Illinois state Capitol Rotunda Building where a Nativity scene stood among other religious displays and signs of dissent.  Kelly's mission was meant to be a publicity stunt.  He came to Springfield a few days before Christmas to remove a display from the ACLU which Kelly thought contained hate speech..  Mr. Kelly was confused because the ACLU signage actually supported the rights of the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee to sponsor a crèche in the state Capitol building.

 

When Mr. Kelly arrived on his white horse--like 12th Century King Richard leading the Crusades to liberate the Holy Land--he learned his mission was flawed.  The sign he really wanted to take down was from a Wisconsin-based group called the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).  Kelly ended up being escorted out of the Rotunda by 15 state Capitol Police officers, after he attempted to tamper with the FFRF sign.  The police were waiting for Mr. Kelly because he put out a press release the day before announcing his intentions.

 

Obviously, Kelly was operating in some kind of intellectual fog.  Kelly believed the state was funding these displays.  But Kelly's trip was meant to magnify his own self-importance, in an attempt to gain publicity and favor with pro-family voters in Illinois.

 

Didn't Kelly know all the signage, including the Nativity scene, were privately-funded under federal law.  Nope!  And Kelly's stunt cost the state money.

 

Now I must admit, Kelly did call me.  As Chairman of the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee, he thought I would be happy with his actions.  In fact, this is quite to the contrary.   As I wrote in a previous column, the juxtaposition between the hateful speech on the FFRF sign and the message of hope and forgiveness conveyed by the Nativity scene serves the purpose of Christianity well.

 

But Kelly did not call me before his mission.  By the way, the FFRF is a group which really advocates paganism, not atheism, as their sign implies.

 

I asked Kelly for an apology and he gave me one which I accepted.  I thought the issue was over, until I learned this genius was going around to pro-family groups touting his Crusader-like mission to Springfield.

 

Here's the problem.  The Springfield Nativity scene does not need the controversy created by Mr. Kelly's self-serving foray.  A Nativity scene which stood in the capitol of Washington state was thrown out of that governmental building, along with other displays because of the controversy which took place in Olympia.  I don't want that to happen in Illinois and neither do the following members of the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee which include: Thomas Brejcha, Esq., Chicago-based Thomas More Society; Jean Cohoon, Eureka; Eunice Conn, Polo; Karl Fritz, Chicago; Pastor Dustin Fulton, Jefferson St. Christian Church, Lincoln; Daniel Gura, Lake Zurich; State Sen. Chris Lauzen, Aurora "acting as a private citizen"; Bernie Lutchman, Springfield; Beth Rogers, Springfield; Arlene Sawicki, South Barrington; Dave Smith, Illinois Family Institute and Julie Zanoza, Lincoln.

 

Here is another important point that should be considered by everyone who will cast a vote in the February 2nd Republican primary, including Mr. Caprio.  If Kelly did not know the facts about the only remaining Nativity scene to stand in any state capitol in America, including how it is funded, why should Illinois residents trust Kelly with our money during the greatest financial crisis in our state and nation's history.

 

But there's more about Mr. Kelly.  He is trying to appeal to pro-family voters, but what he makes public about his lifestyle presents a very different image of the man.  Kelly says Hugh Hefner, the king of pornography, which has destroyed the lives of millions, is his hero.

 

A column by Bernie Schoenburg of the Springfield State Journal-Register http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x1136811925/Bernard-Schoenburg-Hoffman-Giannoulias-duel-over-Bright-Start-accord provides a glimpse into Kelly's private life made public by himself on YouTube.

 

Here are some of the titles of Mr. Kelly's "pro-family" video catalogue:

 

The featured video:  Bill Teams up with Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen http://www.youtube.com/user/upscaletv 

Words from Kelly's website: Nielsen to Bill: You're drunk...but in a good way. Kelly smiles and shrugs: Is there any other way?! Another wild William J. Kelly moment...CAUGHT ON TAPE!

 

Bill Channels John Dillinger:  http://www.youtube.com/user/upscaletv#p/a/u/2/x80i90LlteY 

 

Bill's Playboy Party with Kendra  http://www.youtube.com/user/upscaletv#p/a/CF55A42D637D05C3/0/zhuVwm7Id-U 

Words from Kelly's website:  It's Bill's first ever Playboy Party and he meets up with Hef's girlfriend...the gorgeous Kendra Wilkenson from E!'s Girls Next Door...and what a wild Upscale night it is. The question is...how long will it take Bill to get smashed this time? If the past is any indicator...it won't be long!

 

Not exactly pro-family images.  Is this the kind of candidate Paul Caprio is endorsing these days?  Frankly, I don't believe Caprio is aware of Mr. Kelly's high jinks.  At least I hope not, but he should be. However, if Bernie Schoenberg of the Springfield State Journal-Register is aware of Kelly's lifestyle, shouldn't the leader of one of the most important pro-family political action committees be? 

 

It certainly seems like Mr. Kelly has some personal issues to deal with.  Perhaps Kelly needs the prayers of the pro-family movement and not their vote.

 

RELATED ARTICLES:

 

Illinois State Comptroller Candidate William J. Kelly Uses Springfield Nativity Scene For Publicity Stunt:  http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/12/illinois-state-comptroller-candidate-william-j-kelly-uses-springfield-nativity-scene-for-publicity-s.html

 

If William Kelly Does Not Understand Simple Facts About Displays In Illinois State Capitol Building, How Can He Be Comptroller For Entire State? http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/12/if-william-kelly-does-not-understand-simple-facts-about-displays-in-illinois-state-capitol-building-.html

 

State Journal-Register article by Bernie Schoenburg: Surely he jests:  http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x1136811925/Bernard-Schoenburg-Hoffman-Giannoulias-duel-over-Bright-Start-accord

 

 

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State Journal-Register article by Bernie Schoenburg: Surely he jests:  http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x1136811925/Bernard-Schoenburg-Hoffman-Giannoulias-duel-over-Bright-Start-accord

Adam Andrzejewski Republican for IL Governor: Former state Sen. Pat O'Malley To Endorse Later Today: Analysis

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director 

 

First let me begin by stating the following commentary is not an endorsement of Adam Andrzejewski's gubernatorial bid who is seeking the GOP nomination in the February 2nd primary.  But I must provide full disclosure regarding my prior relationship with former state Sen. Patrick O'Malley. 

 

My wife Julie and I know O'Malley well.  He was our state Senator when we lived in Crestwood, Illinois in southwest Cook County.  We care for him deeply and always will.  As a private citizen, I supported his bid for the GOP gubernatorial primary in 2002.  Then-Attorney General Jim Ryan went on to defeat O'Malley and Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood in the Republican primary.

 

Yesterday, I learned O'Malley would officially endorse Adam Andrzejewski and it is clear O'Malley's support for this candidate will be a huge plus in the upcoming GOP primary.  Reportedly, a press conference will be held by Andrzejewski on Tuesday, January 19th announcing what many political insiders already knew.  But in the same sense, this endorsement will throw the Republican gubernatorial race into chaos.  There are strong O'Malley supporters who have made commitments to other gubernatorial candidates.  I know O'Malley's decision to endorse Andrzejewski will have an impact on these people. 

 

O'Malley's Endorsement of Andrzejewski

 

I believe Patrick O'Malley's endorsement of Adam Andrzejewski is significant.  O'Malley is a man of integrity.  I know this for a fact and I do not believe O'Malley would support someone who did not share his pro-family values.  Although it is true O'Malley has been out of the political picture in recent years, he still has a strong following among the pro-family community in Illinois and commands great respect from this voting bloc.   

 

In fact, I was in the midst of what seemed like a cult of personality regarding O'Malley's gubernatorial run.  Individuals cared for O'Malley so much that their unwavering support of him may have led to the defeat of Jim Ryan in the 2002 general election.  O'Malley refused to endorse Ryan for ethical reasons, although many political experts think that was a mistake. 

 

However, O'Malley knew Ryan was from the heart of the "Combine".  O'Malley was aware that Ryan attempted to entrap law-abiding gun owners and sellers, a story which I broke at the time for what was then called RFM News http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/12/jim-ryan-for-governor-gun-owners-have-not-forgotten-former-illinois-attorney-generals-attempt-to-ent.html.  In 2002 no one can forget what Jim Ryan did as DuPage County State's Attorney regarding the Jeanine Nicarico case, a ten year old girl who was brutally raped and murdered in DuPage County. 

 

A quick refresher:  Jim Ryan helped to convict two Hispanic men of the crime.  Eventually, Ryan, DuPage County prosecutors and police knew someone else had committed the murder.  Yet they seemed prepared to let one of the men who was sitting on death row die http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,21810,00.html.

 

O'Malley stuck to his guns and the fact he avoided endorsing Jim Ryan in 2002 may not be a testament to O'Malley's political expedience, but it surely is a testimony to his character. 

 

Will O'Malley's endorsement of Andrzejewski put a damper on the growing momentum of state Sen. Kirk Dillard's candidacy?  You bet it will.  O'Malley and Dillard served together in the Illinois Senate for a number of years and those who may have been tempted to give their allegiance to Dillard may well now consider giving Andrzejewski their vote.  There are problems with Dillard's campaign as well, such as the television ad Dillard made for Obama in Iowa before the Iowa caucuses and the support he has from Combine boss former Illinois governor Jim Edgar.

 

The Biggest Loser

 

Dan Proft's gubernatorial bid, without a doubt, will suffer the greatest impact from O'Malley's endorsement of Andrzejewski.  Proft worked on O'Malley's gubernatorial campaign in 2002.  The operative question is:  Why isn't Pat O'Malley supporting Proft?  I'll leave that speculation to others or they can read numerous columns myself and others have written about Proft and his political background.

 

One thing is for sure.  O'Malley's endorsement of Andrzejewski is significant.  It matters.

 

RELATED ARTICLES:

 

Adam Andrzejewski for Governor: Why I Am Pro-Life: In His Own Words  http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/10/adam-andrzejewski-for-governor-why-i-am-prolife-in-his-own-words.html

 

Jim Ryan for Governor: Gun Owners Have Not Forgotten Former Illinois Attorney General’s Attempt To Entrap Law-Abiding Citizens  http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/12/jim-ryan-for-governor-gun-owners-have-not-forgotten-former-illinois-attorney-generals-attempt-to-ent.html

 

Proft Unmasked http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-17412-Macon-County-Conservative-Examiner~y2010m1d16-Bambenek-rejects-Proft-supports-Andrzejewski

 

Dan Proft's Comment To Daily Herald On Right To Life Issue: Funny Or Vision Into A Man's Soul http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/dan-profts-comment-to-daily-herald-on-right-to-life-issue-funny-or-vision-into-a-mans-soul.html

 

Dan Proft for IL Governor Should Release Tax Records for Last Ten Years http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/dan-proft-for-il-governor-should-release-tax-records-for-last-ten-years.html

 

Dan Proft for Governor: On Abortion, Not Good, But Pro-Gambling Record Impeccable by Daniel T. Zanoza: http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/09/dan-proft-for-governor-on-abortion-not-good-but-progambling-record-impeccable-.html

 

What would you think: Some Questions of Dan Proft Style Politics: Good For GOP Locally or Nationally? Guest Commentary by John McNeal: http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/03/what-would-you.html

 

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