Category Archives: Politics

Take Your Illinois Pension, Leave Illinois, and Head to Florida for a New Job!

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IMG_3927The recent article in The Journal Standard on a police officer retiring after 26 years on the Freeport Police Force is not in itself news. What is news is that this is happening all over the State of Illinois. Public sector employees retiring in their early 50’s with large pensions with guaranteed annual 3 per cent increases. These employees then leave the high tax state of Illinois, head to Florida and collect their Illinois pensions, and frequently start a new job in the public sector so they can qualify for another pension! The retiring officer stated that he would miss the people of Freeport. That may be true, but I doubt that he will miss the State of Illinois with its high real estate and other taxes. When the snow is flying in Freeport next January, he will just smile when he receives his pension check from Freeport and his new check from his Florida job. And to the citizens of Illinois, keep working and pay those high taxes so this officer and other retired Illinois public sector employees can enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Americans Dying Like Flies – Head of CDC Asleep Again!

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2015/01/img_3761.jpgThe flu is rampant throughout the United States while the CDC makes excuses – the flu mutated. Again, another governmental agency makes an excuse for gross incompetence. Under the Obama Administration governmental agencies from the IRS to the Veterans Administration are run by bureaucrats who don’t give a damn about the public they should be serving! Incompetence is order of the day. The government tells everyone to get flu shots and then the shots don’t protect you. So when someone asks why you are so sick, just say you got attacked by a mutated virus. And then add – I DID GET A FLU SHOT!

Your Vote Does Make a Difference – Be Sure to Vote Tomorrow!

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Government is like a business. The voters are the shareholders. Imagine that you own stock in a business that is on the verge of bankruptcy. Would you want a change in the management of the business, or would you vote for the same management to continue its failed policies? A business goes bankrupt and you just lose your investment. When government continually outspends its income, what does government do? The answer is simple – Just keep raising taxes to cover the failed policies. Are the voters of Illinois ready to ratify the failed polices of Governor Quinn, or are they ready to at least elect someone who will attempt to address the problems facing the State of Illinois? The answer should be obvious, but then this is Illinois where Governors only leave office and the State to go to prison.

If You Think It’s Time for Change in Freeport, Consider Running for the Freeport City Council!

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The City of Freeport will hold an election to nominate candidates for the offices of Alderman in Wards 1 through 7 and the Alderman At-Large on the following dates:

Consolidated Primary will be held on February 24, 2015 (Nominating petitions must be filed November 17 – 24)

Consolidated Election will be held on April 7, 2015

The terms of office for Alderman in 2015 shall be:

First Ward – 4 year term – Present alderman – Thomas Klemm who is totally in effective. Once he stated something to the effect that he was lucky that his ward did not have any problems so he could devote himself to the rest of the city. Where does this man live? On the good ship Lollypop.

Second Ward – 2 year term – Present alderman – Shawn Boldt

Third Ward – 4 year term – Ronnie Bush, the present alderman, does a good job of representing his Ward. Forget the rest of the City.

Fourth Ward – 2 year term – Jennie DeVine, the present alderman, is a nice person whose biggest contribution on the Council was to wish her constituents “Happy Birthday.” Not too bad – that’s more than most of the aldermen have done for their constituents!

Fifth Ward – 4 year term – Present alderman – Dennis Endress (picture above at last council meeting) – In the same category as Thomas Klemm. The difference is that Mr. Endress knows his limitations, and keeps quiet.

Sixth Ward – 2 year term – Sally Brashaw was appointed to represent this ward by Mayor George Gaulrapp at the end of his term. Enough said. If you think George Gaulrapp was a good mayor, then you should like Sally Brashaw.

Seventh Ward – 4 year term – Present alderman – Mike Koester – His problem is his background. He views everything from the viewpoint of someone who has worked for the government and who has forgotten who pays the bills. Fiscal responsibility is not a word in his vocabulary.

Alderman-At-Large – 4 year term – Andrew Crutchfield – This alderman is no longer effective, and has faded in the last two years after he ran for mayor and lost. He should be replaced by someone who can constructively deal with the problems facing Freeport.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Closes His Eyes to Ebola Crisis!

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IMG_3519.JPGThomas Frieden, CDC Director, has known for months that Ebola was killing thousands in Africa. He continually appeared on American television shows saying that Ebola would not be a problem in the United States. Surprise! Like everything else in the Obama administration, nothing is a problem until it is a crisis. How many Americans must die around the world until President Obama decides we have a problem? The answer is simple – lots of Americans. On its website the CDC states in regard to the Ebola crisis:

“CDC urges all US residents to avoid nonessential travel to Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia because of unprecedented outbreaks of Ebola in those countries.”

What about keeping individuals out of this country with Ebola? What about a travel ban from countries with a high number of Ebola cases? From Ebola to ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), there is no leadership. On October 3, I asked – How much more damage can Obama do in the next two years? The answer is more obvious every day.

Governor Quinn Finally Does Something Right – Signs Bill Allowing Illinois Residents to Keep Driver’s Licenses After Routine Traffic Violations!

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Governor Quinn on August 9 signed a new law effective immediately to end the practice of posting a valid driver‘s license as security for traffic citations in Illinois. It’s about time Illinois started treating its residents like most other states where drivers can sign for a ticket keeping their driver’s licenses. Governor Quinn previously signed a bill allowing illegal immigrants to obtain Illinois driver’s licenses. If you are an al-Qaeda terrorist in this country illegally, it’s nice to know that you can get a driver’s license in Illinois – and can keep it after a traffic ticket so that you will have valid government ID when you fly next time!

Freeport City Council Meeting Tonight, July 21, 2014 – Resolution on agenda for Approving Incentives Offered by Stephenson County for Medical Cannabis Facility at Mill Race Crossing – Let’s See the Incentives!

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20140720-204058-74458642.jpgThe meeting will begin at 6:00 pm in the City Council Chambers at 524 West Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor. If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.

1st reading of three ordinances dealing with new Meadows Redevelopment Project (TIF). There will be motion asking that it be laid over until the September 15, 2014 city council meeting.

1st reading of ordinance for purchase of new fire truck ($540,000). Too bad the fire truck will be unable to get to your house since the streets are in horrible condition – especially on the south edge of Freeport!

Resolution authorizing incentives from Stephenson County in form contract relating to Mill Race Crossing intergovernmental agreement for medical cannabis (marijuana for you non-pot heads) growing facility and/or dispensary to this area. What are the incentives? The public and council should see the form contract before approving the incentives contained in the contract. Mayor Gitz says this this resolution does not make any financial obligations on the part of the city. If it does not commit the city, then why is the city’s approval necessary?

Notice from Fire Chief of the emergency purchase of two new stretchers and accessories for price of $28,603.00. If it is an emergency, council approval is not necessary.

For the complete agenda, go to http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/citygovernment/Agendas/A20140721.pdf

TIF, TIF, TIF – That is the Question! Public Hearing at Freeport City Council Meeting Tonight, July 7, 2014 on New Meadows TIF.

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The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm in the City Council Chambers at 524 West Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor. If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.

The major item on the agenda is the public hearing on the new Meadows TIF (Tax Increment Financing District) consisting of 173.5 acres. A TIF creates funding for public or private projects by borrowing against the future increase in property tax revenues. Every TIF shifts the tax burden to home owners and small businesses since any increase is property tax revenues will be used to subsidize businesses in the TIF. Freeport has many TIF’s established to help such diverse areas or businesses as downtown Freeport, Walmart and Menards, and Heritage Woods on Pearl City Road. A TIF will only last 23 years, and then they will again start contributing their share of real estate taxes! Freeport has lots of TIF’s.

For the Project Plan and Eligibility Report, go to http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/departments/Freeport%20RPA%20Meadows%20TIF%20Public%20Draft_05-09-14.pdf

Other items on the agenda:

New equipment for the Fire Department:

Approval of bid from Bocker Auto Group for $32,251.31(with trade) for 2015 red Chevrolet Tahoe

Requesting action from the City Council to waive the formal bidding process and approve the purchase of a new PUC fire engine from Pierce Fire Apparatus, Appleton Wisconsin in an amount not to exceed $540,000 financed over a period of 60 months.

Update from Community Development Director on transit phone system. Listing of bid amounts at http://www.cityoffreeport.org/OrdRes/DH%20RPT%20Cell%20Phone%20Quotes%2020140707.pdf

For the complete agenda, go to

Click to access A20140707.pdf

Mexican Army Invades United States – Will President Obama Capitulate and Give Texas back to Mexico?

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A Mexican military helicopter crossed the U.S. border today, and fired at a marked U.S. Border Patrol vehicle. Fortunately, no one was injured. After the shooting, the helicopter returned to Mexico. See http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2014/06/27/mexican-military-helicopter-flies-into-us-shoots-at-border-patrol-agents-flies-back-n1856443

Why is this happening? Weakness encourages aggression whether it is Iraqi, Ukraine, and now on our own border with Mexico. This Administration treats our veterans like second class citizens while Mexicans illegally entering the U.S. get first rate medical care. See New York Times Article at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/10/us/va-audit-finds-long-waits-for-care-are-widespread.html?_r=0

This is not the first time Mexico has invaded the U.S. and it is becoming a common occurrence. See article at http://www.kvoa.com/news/n4t-investigators-rogue-mexican-army-troops-crossing-the-line/

What will the Obama administration do? Apologize, Apologize, and Apologize – We will apologize for annexing Texas in 1845, and offer to give the state back to Mexico. Obama doesn’t like Texas anyway – it does have a Republican governor and an economy that is booming. Oh, by the way, do you think Mexico will throw in that American soldier who has been held over 60 days in a Mexican prison? So sad but almost true.

See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2650114/EXCLUSIVE-Mr-President-Commander-Chief-Get-jail-US-Marine-rotting-away-Mexican-prison-making-driving-mistake-begs-Obama-help-free-did-Bowe-Bergdahl.html

We Are The Internal Revenue Service – We Are Above The Law!

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Any taxpayer who has had the unfortunate experience of dealing with the IRS can attest to the fact that there is double standard in Washington.

If you work for the IRS, and don’t pay your income taxes – what do you get? A big fat bonus.
See LA Times article at http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-irs-bonuses-20140424-story.html

If you don’t work for the IRS, and don’t pay your income taxes – what do you get? A sentence to a federal prison. See some of the cases the IRS publicizes at http://www.irs.gov/uac/Examples-of-Nonfiler-Investigations-Fiscal-Year-2014

If you work for the IRS, you can refuse to answer questions before a U.S. House Committee about your work and possible criminal activities asserting your right against self-incrimination – what do you get? A big fat retirement check each month. See article at http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/melanie-hunter/lois-lerner-pleads-fifth-again-house-hearing-irs-scandal

If you don’t work for the IRS, and agents ask you about your failure to report income, and you refuse to answer – What do you get? A sentence to federal prison.

If you work for the IRS, and don’t want incriminating emails released when requested by a Congressional Committee, you say your computer crashed! What do you get? A big fat retirement check each month? See article at http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/06/17/lost-irs-emails-get-real-team-obama-were-not-that-gullible/

You’re audited by the IRS, and tell them your computer crashed and you lost all of your records – What do you get? A sentence to federal prison.

And finally, if you’re the IRS Commissioner, and a U.S. House Committee asks you if you owe the American people an apology for the conduct of the IRS – You refuse to apologize since you know that it’s part of the code of conduct of the IRS. You never apologize no matter how much damage you have done to an honest taxpayer. I guess that means if your are the IRS, you can do what every you want – damn Congress and the citizens of this country. So sad, but true.