PEORIA -- In this crazy election season, who is worth a vote?
I can only tell you my preferences. I read about issues, study them, try to see the candidates in person at events. This is the year of the LESSER EVIL candidates.
This year, my votes go to the Democrats, all of them.
Yes, there are some minor problems, but their opponents are disasters. The Green Party has some appealing candidates but a vote for a Green is likely a vote for a Republican, so I won't take the chance this year, given the awful nature of the Republican candidates.
Governor: Quinn is honest, a good government guy, trying hard. Brady is a hard right wing guy, anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-union (has said he's interested in turning Illinois into a right-to-work state, like its less prosperous southern counterparts.) His running mate is a young rich guy with no track record, also hard right. I like Rich Whitney, the Green Party candidate, but can't take the chance of voting for him given the close margins likely to occur this year.
US Senate: If Kirk wins, he will cancel out every vote from Durbin. Giannoulias has problems but what matters in the senate is how the senators vote on issues, not their pasts. He's a reliable Democratic vote, in support of Obama's agenda. Yes, that's somewhat flawed, but again, better than the alternative.
Democrats are also good for the lesser statewide offices.
Congress: D.K. Hirner deserves support over rich pretty boy Aaron Schock in the 18th District. Look at Hirner's website to see Schock's disastrous voting record. Click on the category 'Schock and the 18th District' on this blog to see his past. In the 17th District, Phil Hare is a terrific representative, and has been targeted by a tea party guy who runs a pizza restaurant. No track record, but none required to know who to vote for.
Peoria area legislative races: Mike Smith and Jehan Gordon deserve to be reelected. They demolished their opponents at the League of Women Voters candidate forum in September. See story below. Gordon's opponent, Montelongo, said he didn't know enough about state education funding to discuss it. And he's running for the statehouse? Unbelievable.
Recorder of Deeds: Evonne Fleming is in a contested race for Recorder of Deeds. I have heard her speak, and she deserves support. She has worked in the office for 20 years. Her Republican opponent, who was appointed to the position, just wasted $150,000 in tax dollars redecorating the office, at a time when the county is financially stressed, Fleming has said.
Peoria County Board: The Democrats are good, sensible candidates. At the Oct. 16 League of Women Voters candidate forum, the two Republicans tentatively supported getting rid of Bel-Wood, the county nursing home. What they don't realize is that Bel-Wood's presence holds down private nursing home costs with the competition it provides. Same with the municipal landfill. If they don't know this, they don't deserve to be elected. In the 3rd race, the Republican, who didn't come to that event, has been cited by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for polluting a creek with his business. See story below.
Judges: Retaining the two judges, Kilbride and McDade, is essential. Vote 'yes.' In the contested 10th Circuit race, I like both candidates but must go with Spanos, the Democrat, as he has strong recommendations, and for the sake of party loyalty.
Constitutional recall amendment: Vote 'no.' It's too convoluted, complicated. And could be manipulated by special interests for partisan purposes.
Disclosure: I am an elected precinct committeeperson for the Democratic Party in Peoria. That wouldn't stop me from voting for a Republican if one deserved it. This year, none do.
-- Elaine Hopkins
10/30/10: Ed Dentino sent an email comment:
I agreed completely with your views of the candidates and the rational for voting for the Dems.
I think Pat Quinn should have promoted Sheila Simon aggressively. I don't know very much about her or her ambitions. However, there are many down state voters that would have responded to her Simon name and her location away from what they perceive as the Chicago Machine. Most are unaware of the Chicago Republican Machine but associate Chicago as the political powerhouse that they want to vote against - and Brady would be against their interests, even though he is not a Chicago based person. My guess is that the Governor vote will be close in the state. If the city voters respond in numbers, the Dems will win the Governor and Senate races.
The Green Party candidates have voiced reasonable and responsible thoughts. I hope the future of U.S. politics opens doors for better representation of people who are for responsible change. If that does not occur, we are pretty likely to continue a downward spiral for most of our population, their economic well being, their family lives, and their medical access and retirement well being. -30-