In a rather stunning move Presidential Candidate Barack Obama decided that he’d rather spend time meeting with, and giving empty speeches to, random Europeans than American Military men and women wounded in combat.  http://www.breitbart.com/print.php?id=D924E4KO0&show_article=1  His pathetic justification, that it would be “inappropriate” to meet with the military servicemen while on a trip funded by his campaign, rings pretty hollow as earlier in the day he gave a speech to a large number of non-American, non-voting individuals “…not as a candidate for President, but as a citizen, a proud citizen of the United States, and a fellow citizen of the world.” http://www.drudgereport.com/flash1.htm  It says much more about Obama than he realizes that he chooses to spend his “campaign money” speaking as a private citizen to people who can’t vote for him, while refusing to spend any time with actual potential voters who put their lives on the line so he and his family can continue to live free and enjoy the prosperity and opportunity that is available to every American.  I agree it would be inappropriate to take the cameras and use the photos of a hospital visit for campaign purposes, the fact that Senator Obama can’t think of any other reason or any other way to visit a military hospital is just sad.  If this trip was designed to showcase Senator Obama’s fitness to serve as Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces, I think we can safely say “Mission Accomplished.”  He has adequately demonstrated that he is not up to the job, and probably never will be.

Yesterday on the Partisan Discourse blog, Mark Von Nida posted on the GI bill being considered in congress.   Mark said the current GI bill is inadequate and unfair and there has not been enough sacrifice on the part of the administration and the public for the war.  What could Madison county do to improve upon benefits for veterans?   Home purchase tax credit?   Tuition subsidy for job training in exchange for working in Madison county?  What else could or should  the county do?

St. Clair County Republican board member, Kyle McCarter, along with former Republican board member, Joe Behnken, are doing something about the runaway spending by local governments.   They have created a web site and organized meetings to inform people about the out of control spending, which means higher and higher taxes.  Below is a link to the site.  Great job!

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The local county board races will see seven contested races.   Chris Wangard from Troy, Steve Adler from godfrey, and Michelle Ruppert from Bethalto are current board members seeking election to another term.

Four Republican board candidates are running from county board in various parts of the county.

Chris Slusser Wood River, Roxana

Tim Thompson St. Jacob, Marine

Larry Rudder Granite City

Jacob Dean Edwardsville

More information will be forthcoming on all the board candidates in the future.   If any of these folks live in your area,  please give them some help. 

The Republican State convention will be held this summer.   The Republican party is looking for new ideas.  What do you think the party needs to do at the convention to enegize the party faithful?

Gas prices going up and up.   Utilities bills increasing at levels above inflation.   What can the Republican party do to help the United States become less reliant on foreign oil, while helping to conserve energy?

Republicans lost a key congressional district in Illinois, when they lost forme Speaker Hastert’s seat in March.  Now, the Republicans have lost a Republican seat in Lousiana held by them, since 1974.   What has to be done to improve the Republican brand or image?   Can it be fixed before the election in November to prevent a disaster for Republicans at all levels?

The recall legislation was defeated in the Illinois senate today.   There were not enough votes to reach the 60% needed to pass the legislation.   Senator Bill Haine voted no.  Senator Frank Watson voted yes.   What do you think about the legislation and the vote?

This question has been asked before, but the issue of the levees and the sales tax to support their repair is moving closer to happening.  What will be the impact on the communities above to bluffs on paying the extra 1/4 per cent sales tax?  Is there a better way to fund the improvements? 

There will be a number of contested county board races this election cycle.   The Republicans have an opportunity to pick up some addtional seats and strengthen their position in the county.  What board district races will be the most interesting?  What will be the main issues?