Today my wife Marie and son Chris went to the state fair to meet democratic candidates from around the state.
This was Chris' first political experience, now I don't mean voting or putting out signs, he has done those, but I am talking about an organized political rally.
We joined others to take a bus of supporters to Springfield. There were 45 buses from all across Illinois, a virtual River of Blue flowing into the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
The one thing that disturbed me was that on the podium were all these politicians from Chicago, and not one from Southern Illinois.
Dan Stover the Democratic Candidate for Illinois 19th Congressional District, was there on the grounds, but was not invited on stage.
WHY?
Stover represents 30% of the counties in the state in his district, one out of three and yet he wasn't invited to speak. A tremendous number of Southern Illinois Democrats were there, but no voice was heard about this lopsided representation.
Stover deserves democratic support, there is no harder working candidate in the state, as Alexi Giannoulias candidate for State Treasurer said recently in a rally in Johnson County, IL, "Stover is one of the hardest working candidates I know, everywhere I go, Danny is there"
Alexi ought to know, he is also there, this young man has weathered viscious attacks on himself and his family during the primaries, and to a degree even now in the general election. Yet this young man is still smiling and campaigning like a pro.
At the State Fair, he was the only candidate on the podium that stood during applause for each candidate as they were introduced, clapping and smiling. We expect great things from Alexi.
To say that the democrats were "Fired Up" would have been an understatement. The most popular candidate was not even running Barak Obama, followed closely by Governor Rod Blagojevich, and then Richard Daley, Mayor of Chicago, and Fourth Jesse White Secretary of State of Illinois.
Seeing these 4 and Danny Stover at the fair was worth the hours of travel, and waiting.
While all the candidates that spoke were heavy on Platitudes for one another, which is to be expected at a party rally of any kind, one would hope that there would be substantial statements made about how to take back the governing of America from the entrenched Republicans, well it didn't happen.
But overall it was a Great Day to be a Democrat in the State of Illinois.
The Latino Contingent was front and center and many signs announced that fact.
Best sign at the Rally said "Bush Trimming Begins 11/07/06"
We met many from other areas of the State who are interested in authoring a page for their county on www.WeDemocrats.com But we still have many counties that don't have an author, if you are interested please contact me at netquest@shawneelink.net and I will talk to you about handling such a page.
Of all the candidates, only two got off their duff and worked the crowd, Danny Stover running in IL-19 and Jesse White Sec of State. Both men deserve our support.
We managed to grab a couple chairs in the Reserved Senior Seating tent, where we found out that the "Seniors" are getting much younger, saw several who were about 3 or 4 years old. :)
Kankakee County Democrats, had a couple representatives there who worked the crowd like a tag team and were quite effective. Glad to see that there are still intelligent people in Kankakee, thought most had been brainwashed by the Ryan Republican Machine.
Speaking of brainwashed, You know you've been brain washed, if you....
... believe Halliburton's no-bid contracts have nothing to do with former CEO, now Vice President Dick Cheney.
... are unaware stem cell research threatens the pharmaceutical industry by curing and preventing diseases which drug companies profit from by treating with drugs.
... are unaware the pharmaceutical industry is based entirely on treatment and is threatened by cures and prevention.
... are unaware the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act has been 're- estimated' to cost U.S. taxpayers $1.3 Trillion (not the original $243 billion or the 'adjusted' $400 billion), and only pharmaceutical corporations and HMOs benefit from the increase.
... are unaware the definition of fascism is: 'The marriage of corporation and state' -- Benito Mussolini.
... believe the massive U.S. national debt (now $7,786,000,000,000) created by Republican presidents Reagan, Bush and Bush does not seriously threaten the future of our children and grandchildren.
... are unaware massive national debt ensures the expansion of poverty, which keeps wages low, which increases corporate profits.
... are unaware widespread poverty keeps wages low and corporate profits high.
... are unaware weak gun control laws perpetuate violence in poor neighborhoods which expands poverty, reduces wages and increases corporate profits.
If you believe Fox News is fair and balanced, you have been brainwashed by corporate owned media.
DON'T be brainwashed, hold on to your sanity, vote democratic on Novemeber 7th.
www.WeDemocrats.com
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