Previously, I discussed the battle to keep IL-11 in Donkeys' control.
The 6th stop of my tour and final one in Illinois: My home Congressional District, Illinois' 12th District, which includes the western third of Madison County (including Granite City, Alton, and Wood River), Belleville, East St. Louis, Scott AFB, Columbia, Waterloo, Marion, Carbondale, Du Quoin, Anna, and Cairo.
Incumbent Jerry Costello (D) is expected to win this seat safely. The competitors are Teri Davis Newman (R) and Rodger Jennings (G).
Jerry Costello's issues:
There are many issues that we face in the 12th district of Illinois. Some are particular to our region and some we share with the rest of the country.
Protecting Scott Air Force Base
Scott is the largest employer south of Springfield and one of the top five employers in the St. Louis region with over 14,000 employees. Scott brings almost $2 billion to our economy annually.
For 75 years, Scott AFB has played a critical role in our national defense and in our local economy. In 2005, the Department of Defense undertook its Base Realignment and Closure process, reviewing facilities nationwide for termination. Not only did Scott survive the BRAC closure recommendations but missions were added that should help secure Scott well into the future.
He made a last minute choice to vote Yes on the 2010 Health Care Reform Act, despite a few flaws (lack of single payer), will improve the country, voted against DADT, and voted for the Democratic Party 95% of the time.
Making Prescription Drugs Affordable for Seniors
One of the reasons why I opposed the previous administration's plan to offer benefit cards to seniors is because I don't think it will truly lower the cost. In the face of this program, the Administration announced that Medicare premiums would rise by almost 20% in 2005. That is why, in the last Congress, I cosponsored H.R. 3707 to give the Administration the power to negotiate with drug companies to lower the cost of drugs so our seniors don't have to import drugs from Canada or pay significantly higher prices for prescription drugs.
Fighting for Working Men and women
We've seen it thoughout Illinois - small towns hit hard by the loss of manufacturing jobs that have gone overseas. My position continues to be one of fair trade, not free trade - which is why I opposed NAFTA and any free trade agreement that does not guarantee levels of protection for American workers.
We've seen more and more "outsourcing" - using foreign companies to do jobs once held by American workers - something supported by the Bush White House. I'm pushing hard in the Congress to put an end to this practice and keep these good jobs here at home.
Teri Davis Newman's issues:
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GOVERNMENT SPENDING
We have to end fraud in Medicare and Medicaid where fraud is out of control. I promise to get rid of the bloated rotting cow that is the current policy and make our spending lean and mean. No more pork projects that cost money and benefit special interest groups. We cannot afford it. We have to get rid of all wasteful spending and useless programs along with getting the most value for our dollars.
I SUPPORT THE FAIR TAX
I support and encourage the implementation of the Fair Tax. It is an absolutely fair and equitable tax program that every state would be able to enact it immediately. It would ensure that everyone pays their fair share and it would be fair to all because of the pre-bate that levels the taxation rate to those people that fall below a predetermined income levels. I have a dream of an America where everyone has a job and pay small taxes rather than the current system where 47% of the population is outside the federal tax code and 53% pay taxes. This is an unfair system that breeds resentment of the tax system along with attempts to avoid paying into a system that is perceived to be unfair. Also, when 51% of the population votes themselves a key to the public treasury, it will be the end of America as we have known her. For more information, please visit www.fairtax.org and see how to keep your entire paycheck and abolish the despised Internal Revenue Service.
HEALTH CARE REFORM (OBAMA-CARE)
No! Repeal it, starve it for funds, or fight it in court. I will do whatever it takes to stop this horrendous takeover of our health care. I will fight it to my dying breath—this CANNOT be. NOT ONE STEP BACKWARDS WILL I TAKE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST OBAMA-CARE! We are headed down the merry path to England's socialized medical care and that plastic government-issued "insurance card" isn't going to be worth a thing when there are no doctors to treat you. Health care rationing is right around the corner and when the leftists told you "If you like your health insurance you can keep it" they were lying through their teeth. We are all going to be on single-payer government insurance that has not worked anywhere in the world. It won't work here either folks--and the incumbent lied to you for days before he sold you out. It's a power grab and Kathleen Sebelius is a hard core leftist that Obama chose to take over health care and she is writing the rules so that the government will be the only provider. Bank on it. I will fight Obama-care to my dying breath. I will starve it for funds, I will do everything in my power to carry out your wishes--ones that Costello totally ignored. I work for you. Not Obama not Nancy Pelosi, but you. I will carry out your wishes and I will work tirelessly to keep it from being implemented and work to see Obama-care repealed as soon as possible.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
I want illegal immigrants out of our country now. Kick them all out.. Sanctuary cities need to have their federal money cut off until they start enforcing the laws. Jerry Costello has consistently supported amnesty because he can’t wait to have these illegals voting for him and his liberal pals. I’ve got nothing against legal immigration and I welcome those who are in America legally with open arms. My stepmother is a German national who waited for a visa and came here legally, took classes, worked and paid taxes and is now an American citizen. I will not support amnesty for illegal aliens in any form—it’s a slap in the face to those who followed the rules and obeyed the law. It’s something I’ll never support—Illegal aliens must leave America. I totally support Arizona's state law allowing and requiring all of the police officers to enforce the federal immigration laws.
CAP AND TRADE (CAP AND TAX!!)
Global warming is a hoax dreamed up by "scientists" to keep their funding coming so they could enjoy the our money while they lied and lied and lied about something that doesn’t exist. Cap and trade is an Obama pipe dream to redistribute America’s wealth around the globe. I will not support it, I will not vote for it and I will actively oppose it.
EDUCATION
I am a passionate supporter of and believer in education because it is the only thing that breaks the cycle of poverty. Education keeps Americans setting the standards for creativity and innovations that keep us leading the work with our homegrown "Yankee Ingenuity". We need to get the federal government OUT of education and put the states back in charge. The Department of Education is a totally invasive and unnecessary intrusion into the education of our children. We need to teach our children morality instead of sex education and get parents involved with schools again. Home-schooled children are leading the league on test scores and this shows that the schools are not performing despite the ever-increasing tax burdens placed on our homes. Teachers need adhere to basics of teaching and get politics out of classrooms.
It's also clear that she is pro-life and supports the Arizona SB1070 law.
Rodger Jennings's issues:
Environment
The Democrats and many Republicans have convinced that global warming is a scam caused by scientist. However I believe that people have cause our climate to warm, however there is more to saving our environment. For example:
Educate the public how to reduce waste and recycle.
Work for better public transportation. We need to establish high speed trains to travel nation wide.
Expand Metro Link in the 12th District to include Madison County.
Work with industries in the 12th District to reduce pollution output.
Begin the expansion of energy by using wind farms throughout District 12.
Health Care
Every person has a right to medical care in this country and each American has a right to pick who their doctor should be and where the medical care should be given. When people are sick, flexibility of where care can be sought can be a determining factor for a persons life or death decision. New treatments should be available for anyone, not just the rich
The current health bill that the Democrats have rammed down our throats and made back office deals to pass will cost American people more money than they realize. If you do not have insurance you will be penalized and forced to pay a penalty at the end of the year for not having insurance. Not only is this unfair, but this is an unconstitutional penalty accessed to the American people.
Human Rights/Civil Liberties
Since 9/11 our civil liberties in the United States have been violated, but legally thanks to members of our US Congress. Our Congressmen and Congresswomen have cowardly allowed the President to push his agenda upon them allow the government to spy on Americans while the government keep their dirty secrets hidden. They detain people with no justification and have eroded the Bill of Rights while condoning torture and killing of innocent citizens in a conflict we have no business being involved in.
The Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, Real ID Act, and the Protect America Act of 2007 must be appealed. I will fight to put an end to torture and other human rights abused abroad and work to restore civil liberties.
Economic Health
Free trade agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA the have promoted corporate globalization has cost the American people jobs which you now see is effecting our economy. As jobs are shipped off shore, tax dollars disappear with the job and it affects our once sound infrastructure and education system.
Misguided policies such as more money being spent on highways instead of promoting more efficient transportation and the "no child left behind" program which has been a millstone around the next of our public schools have left our country in sufferable measurements to other countries.
If we cannot repeal the NAFTA / CAFTA agreements then I will work to amend to policies to these laws. If a corporation wishes to move their company off shore then they should pay to price to do this. Employees that are laid off will be guarantee a new job of the same pay scale, and until they are retrained and employed by an American paid company, the company that lays them off must continue to pay them a salary.
Not only will this discourage companies from moving offshore, but would assist in keeping the unemployment rates down until people find replacement employment.