I heard Rich Whitney on NPR this morning as I prepared to go to work, and decided to change my vote right then and there. I was formerly going to swallow my principles and vote for Blago over Topinka, though Blago isn't a very good governor. It's a tough choice if it's between those two. They're both corporate sponsored, both propose gambling as the solution for our educational shortfalls (Rod likes Keno, Judy wants downtown casinos in Chicago a la Detroit), and neither has any kind of progressive environmental or health care plan.
Enter Rich Whitney, a man with a goal of universal health care for the people of Illinois, and a sound environmental policy that looks beyond the next election to the future of our country, our state, and the land our kids are going to have to live in. He was barred from the debate last night in Decatur by efforts of the oligarchical two dominant parties. What are they afraid of? Let him start a real debate, not just ridiculous partisan snapping and personal attacks. Let's take a hack out of machine politics and business as usual. I'm asking you all to at least take a look and consider all of the options you have available, and check out Rich's site. Thanks.
It is what it is
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Gubernatorial Glance
Spewed out by Will at 17:48
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7 comments:
I'm already sold on Rich Whitney. He's getting my vote in Novemember, but we need to do all that we can to spread the word about him!
I'm all for prying open the two party system with my immense voting boner, but Will... come on. Get. real. You'll never have kids.
Why does anonymous have to be anonymous? Maybe it's because they spelled november wrong. And tommy's right. Any of us with kids? Weird.
He is from c'dale. I almost spilled water on him when I was waitressing becasue I was so nervous to meet him!!
Hey Will,
I've taken a little while to respond to this post, cause there's a lot to talk about. I too once mulled over joining the Whitney camp, but will be punching Blagojevich come November. Here's my long-winded version of why.
Though Whitney opposes gun control, that's not my main concern, and didn't automatically disqualify him in my mind.
He's a solid candidate, but this election boils down to being a pragmatist vs. an idealist. I share a lot of Whitney's values; I really do (not withstanding his literal take on the 2nd Amendment). And it's unfortunate/disgraceful that both parties effectively snubbed his candidacy by in the debate and fought hard to keep him off the ballot (check out his Wikipedia stub).
I'm not Blagojevich's #1 fan, and he's done plenty to make me question my support. But overall, I agree with a lot of Blagojevich's positions that get lost in the latest headlines. It's worth reviewing.
Consider his work as a legislator in Congress for 6 years (voting for smaller elementary school class sizes and better federal funding/against vouchers, on voting no to keep the gun purchase waiting period from 3 days to 1 and pushing to close a gun-show purchasing loophole under Federal law, and voting for sensible fiscal budgeting).
Then recap what he's done as Governor (creating All Kids that helped Illinois acquire the #1 rating in the country for providing health care by the Kaiser Family Foundation (a health policy advocate), raising the minimum wage (which would be raised another dollar/hr if he's re-elected), promoting open road tolling, signing an executive order demanding Pharmacists dispense Plan B, etc. etc. etc.).
He's also endorsed by the Sierra Club, for what that's worth to your environmental sensibilities.
If he loses, in this rather limited 2 party system we live under, it's not going to be to Rich Whitney. It's going to be Judy Baar Topinka. Which is why I say you have to be a pragmatist instead of an idealist in this election.
Why? Aside from her looking the other way on Ryan's corruption, her budgetary plan alone is quite telling as to why a vote for Whitney is dangerous. Take this quote from the Trib:
"Topinka, under pressure to roll out details of her fiscal vision for the state in challenging Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, unveiled a plan to achieve $3.7 billion in savings through cuts and changes to the state budget over four years. The largest chunk, $2.9 billion, would come from retooling eligibility, service delivery and funding within Medicaid, the state and federally funded health-care program for the poor that serves more than 2 million people."
Chicago Tribune 8/18/06
Topinka wants a Federal Block Grant, which requires an act of Congress, so she does not have to follow current Federal guidelines on who must be covered under Medicaid, which is a jointly funded program between states and the feds. The only reason Topinka would want such a grant is because she wants to cut coverage for Medicaid recipients or who is covered. Effectively, she's wants to put a "balanced" state budget by breaking the backs of the sick and elderly who rely on the government for health care assistance.
I just can't in good conscience vote in a way that would lift her chances at becoming the next Governor.
And that's the point (ah, a bit of smarm to end this all too serious comment).
Oh my god I love the picture of Rich talking it up with Lincoln. Now that takes balls. He's got my vote. Laurel
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