On old friendships that should end

The other night I had a long involved dream about a girlfriend of mine from high school that motivated me to send her a message on Facebook saying hi, giving some chatty family news, and asking how she and her family were. She lives out east and we haven't seen each other for at least 30 years. She moved to my little town during high school from New Jersey and we became instant friends, probably due to our each taking high school French. She was always different than those of us from the little town, probably because her roots were in the east rather than the boring-blue collar-patriotic-middle American town that I grew up in. I always appreciated how hard it must have been to blend into our tightly knit school group-that she must have felt she'd landed on another planet. She went on to attend the U of I and move in with the young man who eventually became her husband. I went to another state school. My friend was always much more avant-garde than me--the shacking up thing bothered me but it was her life and none of my business. She only married when they had kids but never changed her last name--again, just not my kind of decision, but her life. She and her eventual husband moved back east to the bastion of liberalism known as Massachusetts--I'm sure she felt more at ease there and it more easily reflected her political and social views. I always though she was one of those people who's so far to the left that her car doesn't turn right (yes, pun intended).

Of course she has a right to her opinions as I do to mine but I'm not sure she thinks I have any valid opinions. I just don't think our high school friendship has survived adulthood. I just don't think there's a place in my heart for her anymore. She has shown herself to be the classic liberal. When a conservative goes to them with an open hand in friendship they respond with a clenched fist. They may disagree, but they have to call you hateful or be angry about your policy disagreements. By the way, my friend who is a pacifist and belongs to some "universalist" church (pardon me, but I just think that kind of church just refuses to pick a side--oh well, another disagreement), but she is the one who after high school worked in a factory that made bombs for the defense department. Her husband works for an "evil" insurance company. She is the typical liberal hypocrite who looks down at their nose at anyone who doesn't share their political views but lives their lives like anyone just trying to be successful in this wonderful capitalist country.

Her message back to my chatty "how ya doing" message was distressing and I've had to take a couple days to tamper down my anger and disappointment. She said she had trouble "processing" the "politically charged comments (I) posted on facebook around the time of the health care debate" and that my comments lacked "good taste and a sense of respect with people with whom (I) disagree(d)..." Ah yes, the liberal reveals herself with a dismissive comment when I just thought I'd say hello. Yep, typical liberal.

She knows nothing really about me. Here's a flash for my dismissive liberal friend:
I'm a nice person who anguishes over cruel comments people make. I'm a good Roman Catholic who contributes to my church, goes to mass regularly, and has raised my off-spring to be a good Catholic moral person. I adopt dogs and contribute to a number of animal rescue organizations. I volunteer my time to groups that need help. I vote, I obey the law, pay my taxes, save my money, pray regularly and love my family. I believe deeply in the US Constitution. I have a husband who loves me and 33 years later still calls me a couple times a day from work just to say hi and share whatever news there is. My offspring still texts me regularly and when there's a chance chats incessantly about little stuff that makes us both laugh. My friends enjoy chats, lunch, and whatever time we can spend together. People respect my opinion, my political work, and whatever help I can extend when they need a hand. I'm nice and have a good personality (they used to say that about the ugly girl you tried to introduce to your friend, but take my word when I say I'm not ugly--I'm known to look pretty good and definitely younger than my age--must be the good genes!). I am not quick with forgiveness but try every day to be a better person who truly lives the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm interesting and yet boring. Really.

I cherish my years in public service but almost 20 years in education dealing with snotty liberals like my friend makes me realize how happy I am to be separated from them--away from their myopic hateful attitudes and the angry way they live. They disguise themselves as caring compassionate people but expect the rest of us to pay their way because it's their right to be taken care of. Nope, I'm happy to be away from that. Yes old friend--I know your kind because I worked with them for a long time. It was horribly difficult to be in an academic setting with them because they openly campaigned to make the students just like them--they betrayed the educational philosophy they espoused by promoting their social and political agendas. I was open about being a conservative but every day worked to be non-partisan and even handed in my academic life. I was openly patriotic and followed the law forbidding political partisanship while the liberal academics around me didn't. It was a struggle.

Ok, maybe I'm overreacting. That's always a possibility but I don't think so. I'm saddened by my old friend's comments and have come to the conclusion that something I read a while ago is true--when people are destructively negative, when it causes you unnecessary distress you need to cut them out of your life. Maybe my old friend doesn't understand that in Facebook if something bothers you it is possible to "hide" those posts or "de-friend" someone. So I'm going to de-friend her. Sorry buddy--you're gone. I will pray for you, your 90 year old mother, and the rest of your family. Really. I just don't need hypocritical cruel people in my life--maybe she'll get that but she probably won't. She'll think I'm just another evil conservative that is too thin-skinned and can't deal with her version of "truth" (the rest of us know it as LIES) she and her liberal buddies throw at us people. I am a Republican who believes in the ultimate goodness in us all but understands that some people would rather see evil in us. Their sad ideology clouds their vision. I just don't want to deal with that overwhelming sense of sadness that my old friend dumps on me. So goodbye old friend. I wish you well and I'll pray for you, but I don't think you're really a friend anymore. Sometimes the past is just not enough.

My favorite protest sign

Big pro-tax increase in Springfield?

Just a thought---how much did it cost school districts across the state to pay for substitute teachers (at a cost of $75-150/day) for all the teachers who took the day off to "rally" in Springfield to raise our taxes? Hmmm, good question. All those union officials who were there--have they taken a pay cut for their services? If each of the people who was there pushing (rather threateningly) for an income tax increase would donate $10 to the State of Illinois that might pay some of the UNPAID bills (for services ALREADY rendered) the state has.

When even the mayor of Chicago says the governor hasn't made enough cuts to the state budget you know there is a problem.

Time to fire Quinn. Time to fire any state legislator who promotes a tax increase.

GM paid off their loan with YOUR money and here's how

How Did GM Pay Off the Loans Early?
By Stephen Markley
"Following GM’s announcement today that it has repaid the $5.8 billion in U.S. and Canadian loans months ahead of schedule, you may be wondering how exactly the automaker managed this. The answer is a $16.4 billion escrow account set up by the Obama administration during GM’s bankruptcy. Those funds are in exchange for the GM shares that make up part of the government’s stake in the company. 

The Treasury Department had to figure out how much of a cushion the company would need after emerging from bankruptcy. The escrow account was set up when the government bought a 61% stake in the company, but there was a string attached: GM had to get the Treasury Department’s OK before spending the money.
Thus far, it used the fund to pay out $2.7 billion for the Delphi bankruptcy resolution and previous loan repayments. Rules required any money left in the account by June 30 to be used for loan repayment. With the loans fully repaid, restrictions on the escrow fund will be lifted and GM will be allowed add the remaining $5.5 billion to its reserves.
So what’s the bottom line?
Essentially, GM no longer needs emergency government aid to stay afloat. While the taxpayer still has a sizable investment wrapped up in the automaker, GM has returned to decent health for the time being."

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/21/1590569/how-did-gm-pay-off-the-loans-early.html#ixzz0lq3H2YN4

So all these stupid GM commercials by Whitacre (the CEO) are bogus. They just took borrowed money from one pocket and put it in another--a typical liberal accounting fraud. Don't fall for the lie. Buy a Ford--they didn't take a dime of government money and build a quality vehicle at a good price. Or buy a Hyundai like I did....made in America!

The liberals are the real racists

Maybe a few of the morons who voted for no-bama are starting to realize that elections have consequences

Millions face tax increases under Dems budget plan
"WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate promise to cut the deficit by almost two-thirds over the next five years, but their budget plan could threaten about 30 million people with tax increases averaging $3,700 in 2012 and after because of the alternative minimum tax."

and this: Obama suggests value-added tax may be an option
"WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama suggested Wednesday that a new value-added tax on Americans is still on the table, seeming to show more openness to the idea than his aides have expressed in recent days."

But morons will be morons, and of course they think everyone else should pay more and more and more--but perhaps now that it's looking like even they (the morons who voted for demon-crats--including the idiots who voted for Bill Foster) will be paying more and getting less (more lazy slugs getting things for free) they might wake up and realize how they screwed up. November is coming. Those people who voted for the criminals stealing our government from us have a chance to redeem themselves and kick the demon-crats from office.

Kick out: Foster, Quinn, Giannoulous (or however you spell that crook's name) and every other demon-crat stealing our government every time they open their mouths. FIRE THEM.

Brilliant idea that will make these guys LOTS of money

Get this trial going quickly

Yesterday afternoon Illinois's ("alleged" criminal) ex-governor Rod Blago came out of his lawyer's office and announced that prosecutors are liars and cowards. (Great way to sweet talk the people who are aiming to put you in jail you dumbo.) Geez, I watched his statement (it was painful) and came away with this thought: WHO THE HELL VOTED FOR THIS BOZO????? This guy is a sadistic evil thug (even though he's kind of a mini-me) who is so incredibly self-absorbed. It's really icky to watch him. Get the trial started. This guy needs to go to jail.

It's REALLY disturbing, but if you had any thoughts that this guy would somehow get elected to ANYTHING again, this video shows you why he should go to jail.



By the way, if the prosecutors have (and we all suspect they do) hundreds or thousands of hours of taped phone conversations, why would they play it all in court? What juror wouldn't fall asleep while listening to that crapola? I'd convict him just for putting me through that!

Get rid of Bill Foster in November !!!

Reject big spending demon-crats in November!!!
On our "rejection" list: Pat Quinn & Bill Foster

Illinois unemployment edges up to 11.5%

Oh, ya, we're really thriving here in Illinois. Yep, that hope and change crap is really working well here in the Land of Lincoln.  Read the story in today's Chicago Tribune: "The Illinois unemployment rate edged up to 11.5 percent in March, the highest level since July 1983, the Illinois Department of Employment Security reported today. The seasonally adjusted rate was one-tenth of a percentage point higher than in February, and continued to outstrip the national rate, which was 9.7 percent in March." CLICK HERE for the link to the story.

Let's hope Foster is "down the drain"

Bye bye Bill Foster.

You gotta watch this

I never knew how smart Jon Voight was. I think I'm going to have to watch some of his movies now.

Just a few points I'd like to rant about

Just a few random points this wonderful Sunday night....

• Saturday Night used to be funny. They used to have gifted writing and true comedians who didn't use the show to promote some political party or some leftist philosophy. RIP SNL because you've allowed yourself to be hijacked by crap. Gilda Radner (loved Rosanne Rosanna Danna--"it's always something") and Jim Belushi are probably spinning in their graves and ashamed of how this show has declined. Just saw a clip of Tina Fey (get a life Tina) again doing the Sarah Palin thing. Geez, talk about crap. I guess she has exhausted all her brain power on that stuff. No, I don't watch the show anymore because it's crap. I think their ratings reflect their decline into crap-town. I also won't go see any movie she's in or tune into any tv show she does. I think the "Tina Fey is a genius" thing is also crap. Tina, move on and come up with something that's remotely funny.
• What a beautiful weekend. God blessed us with good weather and we sure enjoyed it. Josef's Deli has fired up the Saturday barbeque again (much to our delight) and we LOVE their burgers. Also brought home some wonderful Italian sausage we had for lunch today. UMMMMMMMMM good.
• Good weather means long walks with the dogs. Enough said--always good.
• We enjoyed watching Phil Mickelson win the green jacket at the Masters' Tournament today. Good job Phil. He played a charmed tournament. Wow, love that lefty!
• Hurray for the return of THE TUDORS tonight on Showtime. Even though you know how it's going to end it's a fab experience watching this wonderfully staged production and enjoying scenic Ireland where it's filmed. Hopefully we'll get back there sometime again and see more of the country side.
• Watched a Patricia Cornwell made for tv thing last night called "Risk." Geez, couldn't have had any worse acting. Bad bad bad. Don't waste your time. She had a cameo fairly soon into the thing but that was the best part. What does that tell you? Don't bother with it.
• Looking forward to Cubs baseball which HAS to get better. Come on guys, it's the beginning of a new season and hope springs eternal. Go Cubs Go!
• Jim Edgar---please go away. Don't you understand that you are past history and clueless as to what the ENTIRE state needs. Maybe in your little Charleston corner of the world you're still a big deal, but you're not anywhere else. Evidence of this is the fact that your hand picked guy, I USED TO BE JIM EDGAR'S CHIEF OF STAFF (aka Kirk Dillard) LOST and is not the candidate for governor. Nobody cares about you anymore. Go away. Take a clue from Jim Thompson who has gracefully shown the role an ex-governor should have. Jim Edgar--you're starting to be more like Blago--an attention hog. Please fade away into retirement, unless you want Republicans to lose--and if you do then really, GO AWAY.
• Cong. Bill Foster has been going around his district telling us all how much his wisdom and judgment is SO MUCH better than anything us lowly people might have. He's also had his lackeys writing letters to local newspapers telling everyone how smart and courageous Bill was in voting for the health care sham legislation. Geez, little did we know that Foster is so much superior to us and we should just sit back and let him and Pelosi and Durbin lead us (over the cliff) and just sit back and take it. I DON'T THINK SO. Foster, get prepared for your coming loss. You do not speak for us--you are not smarter than us--and you did not vote your district and have never voted your district. You will soon be out of a job, so get ready.

No-bama's still talking crap

And here's Andrew Klavan showing you.

It's a bleak financial picture thanks to demon-crats (and anyone else who wants to give everything away)

It's a good day for Michigan, and that makes it a good day for America

Stupak is "retiring." He should just admit that he's a hypocrite and a liar. Thank goodness he's not going to be in Congress anymore.

Also, Linda Douglass--the political hack No-bama employed to encourage snitching on your neighbors, is leaving the White House.

Let's see if we can keep encouraging all the leftists to "retire."

Your new "free" no-bama pad is coming!

Initial jobless claims increase

Hey no-bama, I thought the economy was doing so much better and your phony stimulus plan was turning everything around and there were HUGE numbers of people getting new jobs because of it? WHAT--all a lie? I'm shocked that a demon-crat would lie to us! Hey readers: Aren't you shocked at how deceptive demon-crats are? (ya, sure)

Check out the news here: Jobless Claims Rise 18,000 in Latest Week

About 47 percent will pay no federal income taxes at all for 2009

My husband and I pay federal taxes----PLENTY of taxes----but too many people don't. If you want to be part of this country, if you want our economy to thrive (because it isn't now) you need to pay taxes. NO, not punitive, unnecessary, or ridiculous taxes--but you need to pay your fair share. Unfortunately too many don't. Ridiculous.

Read the article here:

Nearly half of US households escape fed income tax

Who's the radical?

Found this on ILLINOIS REVIEW--I'm going to post it but here's the link:

Tell me again "who's the radical?

If a conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one.
If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.
If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat.
If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.
If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.
If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.
If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down.
If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.
If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.
If a conservative reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.
A liberal will delete it because he's "offended". 

This guy is no different than any other demon-crat in Congress.

They just pissed on the Constitution with this illegal takeover of health care and they have no respect for the will of the people.

And Gian....wants to be elected so he can be more like his demon-crat cronies

And you wonder why a bank fails? Well, read this story in the Tribune about the demon-crats buddy (and US Senate nominee) Alexi Gianni....

$20 million in loans to felons

Broadway Bank lending, when Alexi Giannoulias was senior loan officer, detailed

"The family bank of Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias loaned a pair of Chicago crime figures about $20 million during a 14-month period when Giannoulias was a senior loan officer, according to a Tribune examination that provides new details about the bank's relationship with the convicted felons."

The US Senate already acts like a bunch of criminals (just watch Dick Turbin & his demon-crat buddies) so why shouldn't the demon-crats embrace Alexi as someone just like them?

Should I have told my kid this when she was growing up?

That's what socialism gets you. Lazy people get what you worked hard to earn. Welcome to the new no-bama Amerika.

Welcome to legalized robbery

Someone finally called him on his *rap talk

Democrats to America: Drop dead

Read the entire article in today's Washington Examiner (click on the title and you're linked) but here is the final paragraph:

"A fast-track challenge to Obamacare’s constitutionality will likely reach the Supreme Court in coming months. The justices will have multiple issues to consider, including the unprecedented federal mandate that all individuals buy approved health insurance, the undeniable inequity of the many corrupt bargains used to buy votes for the measure, and the banana republic parliamentary tactics used by the Democratic congressional leadership. Whatever the high court’s decision, it won’t be nearly as unpleasant as the verdict many Democrats will hear from their constituents in November."

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/Democrats-to-America-Drop-dead-88785812.html#ixzz0iuHmII4f

Traitor = Demon-crat

• Bill Foster is a traitor to the people of the 14th Congressional District.
• Demon-crats are traitors to the senior citizens of this country.
• Demon-crats have put into motion the minimization of the United States of America.

Welcome to the beginning of the dismantling of the greatest medical care in the world courtesy of the Demon-crats.

NO senior citizen should EVER vote for a demon-crat again, EVER AGAIN. They have voted to gut Medicare and allow for some bureaucrat to decide if you should take a pain pill rather than get the treatment you need. YOU ARE DISPENSABLE according to demon-crats.

Welcome to the Socialist Republic of America, courtesy of No-bama and his creepy cohorts.

It's a sad day for the freedom loving people in this wonderful country.

Shame on ANYONE who voted for no-bama. SHAME ON YOU.

Fraud, deception and lies--welcome to the Demon-crat party

What happened to my country?

This is a sad time for America. We have become a nation of enablers and criminally dependent. Every day I wake up to another bunch of whiners, another group of folks with their hands out, and another outrageous attack by Demon-crats on the US Constitution. It's all too depressing.

I used to teach the US Constitution to my Political Science classes. It's unbelievable that ANY Demon-crat can possibly suggest what they are doing to my country is constitutional. It's unbelievable that in spite of the overwhelming number of people who have rejected this horrible health care legislation and yet No-bama and his co-conspirators will jam it down our throats. It's outrageous and horribly horribly sad for my country.

Shame on them. Shame on the people who elected them. Shame on the people who support this assault on democracy.

I just tried to call Cong. Bill Foster. His line is busy. He's a coward. He needs to be voted out of office for betraying our district. SEND HIM EMAILS (here's the link: Contact Foster)

Sarah Palin knocks 'em dead on Leno's show

Watch it all the way to the end. She does stand-up----and she's GREAT!

Interesting visitors

Welcome to the opposition! Someone at Congressman Foster's office is a regular visitor to my blog. Hmmm, trying to figure out what us crafty Republican women are thinking? Well if you don't know you're really clueless.

• We think you're not what our district wants. 
• We think you're too liberal. 
• We think you vote with Pelosi and Durbin, which is exactly what put this wonderful country's economy in the crapper. 
• We think we're tired of No-bama apologizing for our country, when he SHOULD be bragging about our generosity and our compassion. 
• We KNOW we won't be voting for you because we want Foster to lose his job--and join the ranks of unemployed he helped get that way by his wanton and ignorant voting for stupid deficits, stupid bailouts, and budget busting spending.

So welcome Foster-ites! We're pretty transparent here. We will work VERY hard to relieve Foster of his job because he has done nothing but harm this district and we need someone in that job who actually has a clue about a budget.

We're supporting Randy Hultgren. 

I've got to go see this movie when it comes out

Hey, with all the talk of the crummy economy (I would have said something else but I gave up swearing for Lent--and that's none too easy!) I just happened to see this trailer for a new movie. I was scanning through Brietbart's "BIG HOLLYWOOD" site (GO HERE FOR THE LINK) and saw this. You ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO WATCH IT. It sure looks good, and what the heck, I kind of like Brendon Fraser and Brooke Shields. Watch the trailer, and I defy you not to laugh.

Give Bill Foster (aka Pelosi's yes-man) a talkin' to

Go to this and tell Burns and Foster (but PARTICULARLY Foster) what you think of how they're spending our money.

Mayor Burns to Host  "Meet Your Mayor" Event Feb. 27, 2010

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns has scheduled a Meet Your Mayor event for Saturday, February 27th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at Geneva's City Hall Council Chamber (109 James Street) in downtown Geneva.  Burns' Meet Your Mayor events are held periodically for residents and local business owners to visit with Burns to informally discuss issues of importance, ask questions relative to pending city action and to learn first-hand the goings-on at the City of Geneva.   In addition to the Meet Your Mayor event, Burns has agreed to reserve the Council Conference Room for 14th Congressional District Representative Bill Foster to host his own Congressman on Your Corner event at the same time. People interested in meeting one-on-one with Congressman Foster can do so by coming to Geneva's City Hall from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm on Saturday, February 27th.

Temple Grandin--what a woman!

On a more positive note (yes, we need something positive), please read this interview in the weekend edition of the Wall Street Journal with Prof. Temple Grandin. She was the subject of a wonderful HBO movie staring (of all people) Claire Danes. Ms. Grandin was born with autism and thanks to a WONDERFUL mother who encouraged her, tutored her, and encouraged her she has lived a great life and is a professor at Colorado State University. She has written 10 books and uses the profits from her books to sponsor students ("Ms. Grandin lives in a simple apartment in Fort Collins, Colo., and has used the profits from her books to put students through school. "Four PhDs I've already done, I'm working on my fifth right now. I have graduate students at Colorado State—some of them I let in the back door, like me: older, nontraditional students. And I've gotten them good jobs.") 

Her advice:
"It's about hard work. Young children need 20 or 30 hours a week of one-on-one time with a committed teacher or mentor. Money, Ms. Grandin says, should not be an obstacle. If you can't afford a professional teacher, find volunteers through your church or synagogue, she says. Parents need to teach 1950s-style social rules "like please and thank you, basic table manners, how to shop."
There have to be high expectations. She's worried about the "handicapped mentality" that she thinks is increasing. "When I see these kids with 150 IQ and their parents want to put them on Social Security [disability], it drives me nuts." These kids "will come up to the book table and start talking about 'my Aspergers.' Why don't you talk about becoming a chemist, or a computer programmer, or a botanist?"

If you get the chance, watch "TEMPLE GRANDIN" on HBO. It's a truly great experience.

I thought the recession was over? OH COME ON!

New home sales hit record low in January

New home sales plummet 11.2 percent in January to annual rate of 309,000, lowest on record

 

Who said the economy was doing SO MUCH BETTER?

US Jan mass layoffs edge up on weak manufacturing

"WASHINGTON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - The number of mass layoffs by U.S. employers edged up in January as manufacturers stepped up job cuts, data showed on Tuesday, but probably not enough to alter views that the economy is on the brink of creating jobs."

Go to THIS LINK and you'll see the article.

Are we ever going to REALLY do something about the infrastructure in this country or don't we have the will to be honest about the problems we have?

Obama's stimulus package, one year later: Too much quick fix; too little long-term infrastructure

After a third of a century being married to a civil engineer I know a thing or two about the need for a financial real nationwide  commitment to the rebuilding of the infrastructure of this country. Read the story in the Chicago Tribune (LINK HERE).

" The American Society of Civil Engineers puts the bill’s infrastructure spending at $71.8 billion, or less than one-tenth of the package. And, as a look at Obama’s home state of Illinois reveals, much of the money being spent is simply fixing existing infrastructure rather than building a new framework." (LINK HERE)

What condition is our infrastructure in? GO TO THIS LINK for information from the American Society of Civil Engineers. They give America's infrastructure a "D." Think about that when you drive on a bridge, drink publicly supplied water, flush the toilet or pass a levee that holds back a body of water.

 Here's what they say about Illinois: 

Illinois

Top Three Infrastructure Concerns:

1. Roads
2. Bridges
3. Mass Transit

Key Infrastructure Facts

• 18% of Illinois’ bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
• There are 187 high hazard dams in Illinois. A high hazard dam is defined as a dam whose failure would cause a loss of life and significant property damage.
• 9% of high hazard dams in Illinois have no emergency action plan (EAP). An EAP is a predetermined plan of action to be taken including roles, responsibilities and procedures for surveillance, notification and evacuation to reduce the potential for loss of life and property damage in an area affected by a failure or mis-operation of a dam.
• Illinois’ drinking water infrastructure needs an investment of $13.5 billion over the next 20 years.
• Illinois ranked 7^th in the quantity of hazardous waste produced and 6^th in the total number of hazardous waste producers.
• Illinois’ ports handled 117 million tons of waterborne traffic in 2005, ranking it 8^th in the nation.
• Illinois reported an unmet need of $4.9 million for its state public outdoor recreation facilities and parkland acquisition.
• 34% of Illinois’ major roads are in poor or mediocre condition.
• 43% of Illinois’ major urban highways are congested.
• Vehicle travel on Illinois’ highways increased 29% from 1990 to 2007.
• Illinois has $13.41 billion in wastewater infrastructure needs.

So why are we piddling around with resurfacing some roads (other than the opportunity for No-bama to have that pretty "Recovery Act" sign put up to give him some political cover) when we should be REBUILDING roads from the base up and spending  money on REAL projects that would guarantee safety for the public?

Look at this link (HERE) for some REAL SOLUTIONS the ASCE has put together. Unfortunately we don't do long term planning in this country--we just wait for something to collapse or for some unfortunate incident (loss of life) before we take real action. Enough of that stupidity.

 

 

Another shady Demon-crat candidate

Tiger Woods speaks--but does anyone care?

Here's the link to the transcript of his statement today:

Transcript: Tiger's public statement

He's a cheatin' hound. If I was Elin I would have beat him with the biggest golf club at hand (Big Bertha probably--take note that the one pictured here is a "Diablo"--how appropriate for his scummy butt) and tossed his sorry butt outta the house. I don't care how many times he said he was sorry--to be with that many women and disrespect your family is just too much. Because you're rich doesn't give you the right to (excuse me for this) pi** all over your wife and kids.

 

Terrorism does exist

"Update: Five Muslim Soldiers Arrested at Fort Jackson in South Carolina

CBN News has learned exclusively that five Muslim soldiers at Fort Jackson in South Carolina were arrested just before Christmas. It is unclear whether the men are still in custody. The five were part of the Arabic Translation program at the base"

And then there's this:
"The U.S. Army is investigating allegations that soldiers were attempting to poison the food supply at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.
The ongoing probe began two months ago, Chris Grey, a spokesman for the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division, told Fox News.
The Army is taking the allegations “extremely seriously,” Grey said, but so far, "there is no credible information to support the allegations."
Five suspects, detained in December, were part of an Arabic translation program called "09 Lima" and use Arabic as their first language, two sources told Fox News. Another military source said they were Muslim. It wasn't clear whether they were still being held."



So again, how is it that Islam is a religion of peace? 
As Ricky Ricardo said, 'you've got some 'spaining to do!"

As goes Walmart, so goes the US economy

Walmart suffers first US sales decline

When Walmart sales go down you know there's something REALLY wrong.

More bad economic news (sorry, but it has to be seen)

1. Jobless Claims, Inflation Jump as Economy Wobbles
2. U.S. jobless, price data fan concerns on economy

And then there's this (one of many things) to really show you how absolutely ridiculous No-bama's stimulus crapola program is:  "Obama's federal government can weatherize your home for only $57,362 each"  I think I could go to Home Depot or Lowe's and get all the stuff and hire someone to do all the work for a lot less. Thank you Demon-crats.

And how about a free golf cart--courtesy of the demon-crats? READ THIS (Sorry, the program ended 12/31//09)

It keeps getting worse and worse. This is nuts and we're paying for it.

Read this about pension underfunding and how bad it really is

Where are those jobs?

In my local town there are signs that spring might be on the way. The local Home Depot and Lowe's are starting to get the garden section ready, snow blowers are going on clearance (yep, we went and bought one and really enjoyed using it during our last snow storm), and grills are getting featured. Yes, spring might be coming, but that doesn't mean the economy around here is getting any better.

Here are some examples of the economic malaise we're under here:
*The Manor Restaurant in South Elgin has closed. I loved that place. It's hard to find a good breakfast/lunch restaurant. I'll miss it.
*Viking Office Supply in Geneva is closing. That place has been in business FOREVER and it's finally given in to "big box" office supply stores. That's sad, but probably a sign of the times.
*The local mini-malls still have empty stores--the old Circuit City & Comp USA are empty and will probably remain that way.
*Foreclosures are still plentiful and for sale signs are still on the same houses that have been for sale for a really really long time.

The sun might be shining, but it sure doesn't look like the economy is doing much better. The state is broke and a study just released by the Pew Center (GET IT HERE) shows that Illinois is in serious difficulty when it comes to pension funding (thanks to our fine Demon-crats in this state). Bills aren't getting paid, schools aren't being paid, universities aren't being paid (as evidenced by the letter I got yesterday from University of Illinois Interim President Ikenberry) and they are crying out for help.

What can be done? Well if you're a Demon-crat (aka idiot) you suggest more spending (more money we don't have) and another round of stimulus (do you feel stimulated?) programs. Well, today the unemployment figures were bad (Jobless Claims Rise 31,000 to 473,000) and it sure doesn't seem like anything the demon-crats come up with is working. Debt does not encourage growth--especially HUGE UNBELIEVABLE INSANE debt. That's what we have now. That's depressing.

A good and not so good day

Today is the 2nd "anniversary" of the horrific murders at NIU. My heart still breaks for the families of those people killed and the others who suffered injuries on that sad day. As a mother I cannot imagine how difficult each and every day must be without their children. Today I was blessed to be able to go to church with my husband and "offspring," stop to have bagels and coffee afterward, and then go out to dinner and enjoy their company. There were many smiles, jokes and lots of precious time together today. For that I am very grateful and know how blessed we are by God. This evening my "offspring" called and said a law school classmate's entire family was in a bad automobile accident and all sent to different hospitals. We believe everyone will be okay, but are reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of family and faith. We pray for their recovery, and hope you will do the same.

Liz Cheney is right

Several years ago I saw Liz Cheney speak at a National Federation of Republican Women convention. In spite of being VERY pregnant she was VERY clear and VERY forceful in her speech before the group (I say "in spite of" because I remember being THAT pregnant and how tough it was to get around at the time). I was VERY impressed with her and still am. I missed her this morning on Fox News Sunday, but here she is speaking her mind about how incompetent the No-bama administration is in the handling of the terrorist threat against us. I think she speaks loudly and forcefully for MANY Americans.

Happy Birthday Sarah Palin !!!

I've read the book. It's a good read--written in a very conversational manner. I enjoyed it. It was very interesting to read about her childhood, her parents, how she met her husband (he had a Mustang--quite the cool guy!)

Today Sarah Palin is 46. I think she's accomplished a lot in those 46 years, and with our help she can accomplish even more. I'm astounded she can do everything she does. She has my respect and admiration.

I think I'll write some notes on my hand just to tick off some demon-crats--OH COME ON--like no one's ever done that before! Good for you Sarah.

Watch this and be outraged at the spending in the State of Illinois

Download the PIGLET BOOK by going to this link: 2010 Piglet Book

Don't you love primary elections?

So on our primary election day I happened to stop in our local Walmart to pick up a few items. Truth be told, I'm a 3 time a week customer there. There's always some little thing I need and I love the self-check lines (when they work). Our local Walmart is a stone's throw from my house, and it's pretty easy to go over during the day when the little urchins are in school--I hate being in a store with crying whiny kids, so daytime is the perfect time to avoid all that--and it's usually pretty empty when I'm there. That is a perfect combo.

So there I am going through the self-check and there's a female worker I see there frequently who stands at a service stand at the self-checks. It had been snowing all morning, and as is my usual behavior, I tried to make small talk and say something cheery to be nice. It's my habit to try to talk to people--let's be honest, I love my dogs but they just aren't good at conversation (most of the time), so I like to speak to actual people when I can. Well I mentioned that the snow was stopping and how good that was because it was election day. This woman proceeds to tell me that she didn't care because she doesn't vote and won't vote because every politician and anyone who runs for any office is a crook. Hmmmmm, I wondered if she was talking about Pelosi and Reid, but tried to come back with some witty response since I realized what an idiot she was. "Well we have to vote out the crooks" I said. Nope, she continued that she just didn't vote and wouldn't no matter what anyone said.

At that point I walked out and said to myself under my breath, "Some people shouldn't vote. They're just too stupid." Yep, I hate to be a nasty person, but she is stupid. She obviously had no idea what the issues are, who was running, or why voting was important.

Reminded me of what I used to tell my students: If you don't vote shut up and pay your taxes and let the rest of us who give a damn and will vote run the country. Get the hell out of the way and let us run things.

So if anyone from the Walmart Corporation reads this maybe you should talk to your workers about how important it is to participate in this democracy because if you don't too many people may lose what little they have because they allow themselves to be taken advantage of by crook politicians. EDUCATE THEM about the process. Maybe then they'll stop griping about how "the man" (aka people who run Walmart and other large corporations) are screwing them over. They might find out "the man" is a liberal named No-bama.

Vote for Topinka

Read Michael Zak's take on the Scott Brown victory in Mass.

Michael Zak wrote a wonderful book called "Back to Basics for the Republican Party" that should be the blueprint for how to win. Read his column today in which he says: "Scott Brown won the Charles Sumner seat in the U.S. Senate." Sumner was the sponsor of the 1875 Civil Rights Act.  Read the column by going to this link.

I get a rush from voting!

Saturday morning my family and I went over to the Kane County Clerk's office and participated in "early voting." You never know what the weather is going to be on election day and you never know if any of us will get called out of town, so early voting is a great option. It was, as always, a good experience. I really don't know how our county could make it any easier!

So thought I'd share some voting advice:
1. VOTE REPUBLICAN (as if there's another choice!)
2. Vote for Judge Bob Janes for Kane County judge in the 16th Circuit.
3. Vote for Randy Hultgren. I really fear that if Ethan Hastert wins (and he's a darned nice guy but really--the first office you're running for is Congress? OH COME ON--even I ran for something else before--not that I'm running for anything now!) then Bill Foster (aka the Pelosi-Durbin stooge, the liar, and the guy who's too afraid to actually meet with his constituency about health care but is ALWAYS at some event now to get his picture in the paper now) just might win because I think people are still pissed at Denny Hastert--Ethan's dad. The name Hastert is tainted in this district because Denny abandoned us and we got Foster as a result. That's my opinion. It's up to you to make up your own mind.
4. Vote for Judge Jorgenson and Judge Morelli.

Who you vote for when it comes to the other races is your business. I'd love to tell who exactly who I selected but then that defeats the whole "secret" ballot thing--so I won't. Let's just say I'm pretty happy with my votes.

BUT GO VOTE. Remember, if you don't vote then shut up, sit back, and let the rest of us WHO DID VOTE run the country because it'll be obvious you don't give a damn about what happens and how much you pay in taxes. When that tidal wave of Demon-crat taxes overpowers you think back and remember that us Conservative Republicans warned you about the evil ways of Demon-crats and you ignored us. So go vote for good conservative Republicans. Let's do EVERYTHING to defeat the wave of socialism the Demon-crats are shoving down our throats.

Demon-crats don't give a cr*p about you--and you know that

Dan Proft is my choice

I like Dan Proft

He makes sense. He talks about tax cuts.

He has serious proposals to make Illinois a place we really want to be proud of.

I think he has my vote.

The best New Year's resolution ever

I'm watching WGN this morning and Robin Baumgarten provided what I think is the best New Year's resolution ever. I'm absolutely going to adopt it as my own: I'm tired of living such a healthy lifestyle. I'm going to drink more, work out less, and eat more of my favorite foods.

I love WGN. Here's Robin's Facebook site 

Don't you feel OH SO SAFE when you fly with No-bama as president?

You vote No-bama care, we vote you outta there

Another Demon-crat screw job

Just how bad is no-bama care?

From today's Washington Examiner:
"Just how bad is Obamacare? Here are some of the proposal's most important flaws, as described by one of the proposal's most passionate critics:

* It forces you to pay up to 8 percent of your income to private insurance corporations -- whether you want to or not.
* If you refuse to buy the insurance, you'll have to pay penalties of up to 2 percent of your annual income to the Internal Revenue Service.
* After being forced to pay thousands in premiums for junk insurance, you can still be on the hook for up to $11,900 a year in out-of-pocket medical expenses.
* Many of the taxes to pay for the bill start now, but most Americans won't see any benefits -- like an end to discrimination against those with pre-existing conditions -- until 2014 when the program begins.
* It allows insurance companies to charge older people 300 percent more than other customers.
* The cost of medical care will continue to rise, and insurance premiums for a family of four will rise an average of $1,000 a year -- meaning in 10 years, you family's insurance premium will be $10,000 more annually than it is right now."

As I cruise towards existence as a senior in this country, I was under the mistaken impression that Medicare and my fellow citizens actually gave a crap about anyone who was over 65. BOY was I wrong.

If today's vote in the US Senate doesn't tell you how evil Demon-crats in Congress are then I don't know what will. They are evil and must lose all further elections.

The 'Real' Jobless Rate: 17.5% Of Workers Are Unemployed

"As experts debate the potential speed of the US recovery, one figure looms large but is often overlooked: nearly 1 in 5 Americans is either out of work or under-employed.

According to the government's broadest measure of unemployment, some 17.5 percent are either without a job entirely or underemployed. The so-called U-6 number is at the highest rate since becoming an official labor statistic in 1994.

The number dwarfs the statistic most people pay attention to—the U-3 rate—which most recently showed unemployment at 10.2 percent for October, the highest it has been since June 1983."

Maybe since CNBC finally realized this reality it might mean that other "mainstream" media outlets will admit it also. Nah, probably not. They're not smart enough.....

Republicans are Smart, Democrats are Dumb

Gosh, I love that title (link to a posting on the Chicago Observer).

"But Democrats are dumb. Too dumb to understand that despite holding the presidency and both houses, they are only strong if they stay united—but they don’t. Power exerts a centrifugal force on these Dumbocrats, spinning them all off in different directions."

My heart is sad

My friend Joe Rago died on Friday. Everyone who knew Joe understood how much he loved his family, the law and politics. Everyone knew he was a staunch conservative Republican who loved this country, but maybe they didn't know what a wonderful and gentle man he really was. I loved having conversations with him and seeing that twinkle in his eye, his smile, and hearing about how much he loved the law. He graciously offered to come and speak to my classes (when I taught college) and shared his experience and passion for the U.S. Constitution with young people who really had never experienced anyone like him until that time. When he left my students would ask me if he was really as nice a person as he seemed, if he really loved the law and this country as much as he said and I'd just smile and tell them everything about Joe was real--he was a real American patriot, and a darned good lawyer--both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney who helped so many people who needed an aggressive advocate. Joe was all that and more.

Every time I'd think of Joe I'd pray for him and his family. Joe loved his wife so very much and bragged about his kids. His face would light up when he spoke about them.

When I'd see Joe at political meetings and we'd often walk out after them very frustrated by the lack of progress we knew was attainable. We'd talk for a long time about the direction we wanted to see our country, our state, our county and our local leaders take. He and I were usually in agreement, sometimes angry, sometimes really angry, but never - never doubting that we'd always be Republicans and always support the party we knew would always be better than anything the donkeys (and we thought they were asses) could ever do. Joe was a class act who marched in parades, held the American flag, and showed his love of country every day. Joe wrote my daughter an incredible letter of recommendation for his law school alma mater (nope, she didn't get in there, but not for lack of effort on his part), and when she was accepted at other schools he was the first to congratulate me and tell me that she would do well and would make a great lawyer.

Joe was taken by pancreatic cancer, but he wasn't a victim of it. Nothing about Joe said "victim." Nope, he was a happy guy.  I'll miss him, and the world is a sadder place because he won't be around to share that smile and that laugh (it was great). Please say a prayer for him and for his family. He'd like that.

Click here for Joe's obituary. Please consider contributing to a fund for his children's education c/o Fifth Third Bank in Geneva, Illinois. Information is available @ 630/232-8233.

More evidence piles on every day

Poorest Town In Illinois Suffers In Recession
Read the story by clicking HERE

"Mayor Sam Payton puts it this way: "I'd say we're the forgotten community."

Payton says the unemployment rate is 46 percent and the median income is just half the statewide figure. Payton says his goal right now is to create jobs in a place where businesses don't seem to want to come, and the young people mostly want to leave."

So Illinois (my home state)--the majority of people in this state voted for No-bama. Hey Pembroke--how's that hope and change working for you? Just remember who's been in charge of this state (Demon-crats) and what party (Demon-crats) has bankrupted us. 

Isn't it time to recognize how really screwed up things are? Try the first step of the 12 step program--RECOGNIZE WE HAVE A PROBLEM. Once you do that you'll be on the REAL road to recovery. Let's RID OURSELVES of Demon-crats and start digging ourselves out of this GIGANTIC hole we're in.

More real info on the great DEBT (stimulus) plan

"So no matter how convoluted and fanciful the “jobs created or saved” numbers get, we just have to remember what the point used to be, and realize how far short we’ve fallen. And whose fault that really is."

You know the "stimulus jobs" BS is really BS when even in liberal Massachusetts they're saying so

"While Massachusetts recipients of federal stimulus money collectively report 12,374 jobs saved or created, a Globe review shows that number is wildly exaggerated. Organizations that received stimulus money miscounted jobs, filed erroneous figures, or claimed jobs for work that has not yet started."

Read the story here: Stimulus job boost in state exaggerated, review finds

“There were no jobs created. It was just shuffling around of the funds,’’ said Susan Kelly, director of property management for Boston Land Co., which reported retaining 26 jobs with $2.7 million in rental subsidies for its affordable housing developments in Waltham. “It’s hard to figure out if you did the paperwork right. We never asked for this.’’

Foster betrayed his district--AGAIN

How they voted on this PIECE OF TRASH takeover of the health care business. 

NOTE: BILL FOSTER voted YES--Bill, it's absolutely time for you to go. TAKE NOTE: we hope you've enjoyed your time in Congress, because you won't be there after the next full election.

No-bama owns it now

Jobless rate tops 10 pct. for first time since '83: Unemployment rate tops 10 percent for first time since 1983; 190,000 jobs lost in October 

Jobless Rate Jumps To 10.2%

Ok Barry, you own it now. 

• Stop blaming everyone els
• Man up
• Take responsibility
• Admit blame
• STOP SPENDING
• Cut taxes and stop trying to penalize business

But he won't. The man-child the idiot masses elected as president will continue to screw up America. 

Enough said

Thanks Karen for the picture....

Have the demon-crats (and other evil liberals) learned anything?

Gay marriage repealed in Maine

GOP sweep: Big governor victories in Virginia, NJ

House health bill totals $1.2 trillion

Lessons from the 2009 election results (YA GOTTA READ MICHAEL BARONE'S COLUMN)

Oh my, it's fun to watch them to watch them self-destruct. A couple weeks ago while we were in Austin, Texas we took a couple hours and toured the Texas State Capitol. While going through the Senate and House chambers (galleries) we encountered a couple from New Jersey. I commented that our (Illinois) chambers were much more "techno" than Texas. The couple said they'd never been to their capitol (and they weren't spring chickens). Now I found that really stupid on their part (but maybe a lot of people have never been to their state capitols--and I find THAT stupid), but I let that go and commented, "Don't worry, soon you'll have a new governor and you can go visit then." Whoa, they got snitty with me and kind of stomped off while saying, "We hope not. We love our governor." HA HA HA HA HA. I guess his taxing, corrupt, drug dealing campaign worker, egotistical, smarmy, "I can buy anything" ways just weren't popular with the majority of the voters. Hurray for New Jersey voters. And hurray for Virginia voters also who chose a common sense CONSERVATIVE for their new governor.

Now maybe Illinois can have the courage to pick a conservative Republican on our election day! 

This tells you something about going to a government run health care system

Take the time to read this

"Whether by ignorance or design, the first ten months of the Obama Administration have put the very security and prosperity of America in grave jeopardy. This is not mere hyperbole, nor is this conclusion reached lightly. Rather, it comes from an in-depth analysis of those policies implemented by what can only be described upon a thoughtful inquiry as a regime."

GO TO THIS LINK: GET LIBERTY.ORG

This is a wonderful analysis by Bill Wilson. Couldn't agree with him more.

Another example: "On the economy, Barack Obama has been nothing short of a socialistic catastrophe. His has attempted to rush through the most radical, aggressive domestic agenda in the history of the republic. And he has taken the most aggressive steps ever towards government takeovers of entire industries."

More:

"On border security, the Administration has canceled the construction of a 700-mile fence along the nation’s southern border. At the same time, Obama has proposed another push for the comprehensive legalization of millions of illegal aliens, taking jobs away from Americans who will be forced to pay more in taxes to subsidize the illegals’ use of public services.

On defense, the Obama regime has been slashing the budget—by a full 10 percent--while the nation finds itself in two wars. He gave away a key component of national security—missile defense in Eastern Europe—to Russia. For nothing in return."

You gotta read this.

By the way, how's that hope and change working for you?

Interesting headlines today

1. Obama ties George W. Bush on golf
"President Barack Obama has only been in office for just over nine months, but he's already hit the links as much as President Bush did in over two years."
2. 14 Americans killed in 2 Afghan helicopter crashes
"KABUL (AP) - Helicopter crashes killed 14 Americans on Monday—11 troops and three drug agents—in the deadliest day for the U.S. mission in Afghanistan in more than four years. The deaths came as President Barack Obama prepared to meet his national security team for a sixth full-scale conference on the future of the troubled war."
3. U.S. troops hope Afghanistan sacrifices not in vain
"Doubts, determination to finish mission fill days"
4. Morale dips for American marines in Afghanistan


He's busy playing golf and Americans are being killed in Afghanistan. Oh ya, he's too busy to actually make that decision about troops there. But oink-oink flu is a crisis.....what a jerk. How the hell much preparation does he need to actually make that decision?

Every parent, wife, husband or relative of anyone serving in Afghanistan should remember this when this guy decides to run for reelection - and remember this when ANY DEMON-CRAT runs for any federal office. BILL FOSTER---ARE YOU READY FOR RETIREMENT?????